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Read KSL's Take here SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah men's basketball team will hold an open scrimmage Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Admission to the inaugural JimmyBall Scrimmage will be free of charge as Ute fans catch a sneak peak of the 2008-09 Runnin' Utes. "We will use this scrimmage to both evaluate our team after six days of practice and give an early showcase of the squad to our loyal fans," said Utah head coach Jim Boylen. "We felt that with four seniors and five freshmen, the best way to utilize our practice time was this scrimmage. It also gives our fans an up close and personal look at our returning players, the new guys we have added and the direction our program is headed.
"We are trying to make everything as fan-friendly as possible," added Boylen. "From opening our doors for this free public scrimmage to all of our new ticket packages, game atmosphere and terrific non-conference schedule."
The format for the scrimmage will be two 15-minute halves with a running clock and a five-minute halftime. Utah's head women's basketball coach Elaine Elliot will address the crowd to lead off the event, followed by the introduction of the men's team as Utah fans meet their 2008-09 Runnin' Utes for the first time. The scrimmage will also feature Rick Bouillon, the new public address announcer for the upcoming season.
Utah went 18-15 last year and returns all five starters to the 2008-09 squad, including senior center Luke Nevill (Perth, Australia), a Preseason All-MWC selection. Senior guards Lawrence Borha (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Tyler Kepkay (Vancouver, B.C.), senior forward Shaun Green (7.6 ppg) and sophomore guard Carlon Brown (Riverside, Calif.) round out Utah's returning starters. Crucial contributors Luka Drca (Belgrade, Serbia) and Kim Tillie (Cagnes-sur-Mer, France), who each started seven games last season and averaged 5.3 points, will also be on display Thursday night.
The roster will feature five newcomers making their debuts in Utah uniforms. Among them are two all-state standouts from Utah: forward Josh Sharp (Highland) and guard/forward Jace Tavita (Brighton). Jordan Cyphers, a guard/forward who was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Kansas last year, highly-acclaimed guard Chris Hines (Houtson, Texas) and lauded seven-foot center Jason Washburn (Battle Creek, Mich.) round out a skilled freshman class that represents the future of Utah basketball.
