1. A Transition game - The Utes didn't have anything even resembling a transition game last year. They may have averaged 6 transition points a game if they were lucky. A lot of people were quick to blame the point guard position for this problem. Honestly, Harvey wasn't good at leading the break, but was GREAT at finishing it. Colbert could have been good at leading the break, but we simply didn't have any big men who ran last year. Hanno couldn't run because of his knee. Al was capable of running, but more often than not, was the one pulling down the board to start the break. Nate. . .well we were lucky if Nate managed to stay upright. Next year will be different.
Britton Johnsen is great on the break (provided his knee holds up) and Allred isn't too shabby. (Like New York, I saw Allred a couple of times in HS and wasn't overly impressed, but he IS good in transition.) I don't know about Burgess. Jeff Johnsen usually creates his own transition off of steals. I also REALLY like the idea of Spivey receiving the outlet as well. When I look at the '98 FF team, they pushed it up the court whenever they could since Andre was a triple threat. I think Spivey poses many of the same threats.
2. Point Guards with ball handling/passing skills - Spivey averaged 9+ assists per game last year. The Utes had 4 games (all losses incidentally) where the TEAM didn't get 9 assists. To further the stat-geekiness, The Utes were 9-1 when they had an assist to turnover ratio of more than one. They were 14-5 when the A/T ratio was greater than .75, and 0-4 when it was less than .75. The really nice thing about next year's team that will help with the A/T ratio is the potential to have up to 4 ball-handlers on the floor at any given moment (Spivey, Bradley, J. Johnsen, B. Johnsen) This should keep opposing teams out of a press which killed us last year against Louisville.
3. The potential to create some really ugly match-up problems at the 2-3 - There aren't many teams that can match-up with a 6-11 Britton at 3. If his knee is OK (and believe me, this is a MAJOR key for next year) he's quick enough to guard anyone at that spot, but tall enough to own the boards, post up, or shoot over smaller 3's. (especially considering that in the MWC, most 3's are 6-6 or shorter.) Similarly, the Utes have 6-5 Jacobson, and 6-6 J. Johnson to play the two. They're both bigger than most of the 2's they'll face next year which should allow them to shoot over or post up their defender. (I know many feel that Jeff Johnsen can't play the 2, but Majerus said himself on a coach's show this year that he likes Jeff at the 2 because of his athleticism and ability to feed the post.) If the Utes really want to wreak some havoc, they could, conceivably put Britton at the two.
4. Nick Jacobson - He's a complete unknown. No one who hasn't been to a Ute practice this year knows what this guy can do. Here's what I do know about Nick:
A) Majerus mentions him in his book 4 times. (He was a recruit who had just signed at the time of publication)
B) Majerus said that he red-shirted him this year because he has legitimate pro potential. (Majerus never says ANYONE has pro potential...especially guards)
C) He was invited to play on the USA 20-Under
national team despite not playing this year. (Others trying out include
Mike Dunleavy Jr., Kapono, and D'Shaun Stevenson)
I hope he's as good as the hype. If he can shoot
as well as reported, (or at least well enough to keep teams from zoning
us for 40 minutes) this team will be special.
5. To see all of the pieces come together. I am really excited about the potential for this team, but I do see the question marks as well - leadership, outside shooting (which is a huge ? in my mind until Jacobson, Britton, Caton, Bradley, and Cullen prove me wrong.) and chemistry. But seriously, it looks like the Utes have all of the pieces. Now, it's up to Rick to put the puzzle together.
GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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