In the midst of a spectacular football season, Ute fans got a glimpse of the Runnin’ Utes at the Huntsman Center on Wednesday night.
With a mix of fan-involved shooting contests, team warm-ups and a Red-White scrimmage, several hundred Utah fans got to know some of the newcomers to Larry Krystkowiak’s team at the annual “Night with the Runnin’ Utes.” Junior college transfers Lorenzo Bonam and Gabe Bealer shined the brightest in the team’s first public appearance of the 2015-2016 season.
The Utes lost one of the best players in recent program history after Delon Wright graduated and was drafted by the Toronto Raptors. He left a void at guard that looks to be filled by the 6’4” Bonam, at least at this point.
The Utes have only one player taller than 6’9” in star center/forward Jakob Poeltl. The Utes will have to rely on their athleticism to counter their almost inevitable height disadvantage this season. However, nine of the team’s sixteen players are 6’6” and taller.
There is a good mix of veteran presence and youth on the roster. There are four freshman (one red-shirt), four sophomores, four juniors, and four seniors. Check out the full roster here.
Lorenzo Bonam led all scorers with 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Jakob Poeltl pitched in 14 points, while Dakarai Tucker and Jordan Loveridge scored 13 and 10 points, respectively. Brandon Taylor stole the ball 4 times.
The Utes will face Cal State-Monterey Bay on November 5th, and begin their season at home against Southern Utah on Friday, November 13th.
Utah Associate Head Coach Tommy Connor:
G Lorenzo Bonam:
