The Utah Utes hosted Night with the Runnin’ Utes tonight at the Huntsman Center. About 1,500 Ute fans were able to observe a warm-up session, a brief scrimmage, and head down to the sideline afterwards for autographs from the players.
Back on the hardwood were familiar faces like Delon Wright, Jordan Loveridge, Jeremy Olsen, Kenneth Ogbe, and Brandon Taylor. New additions feature standout freshmen forward Brekkott Chapman from Roy, 7-foot forward Jakob Poeltl from Austria, as well as sophomore forward and Saint Mary’s transfer Chris Reyes.
Usual stars Wright and Loveridge shined brightly in the first 16-minute period. Wright scored 10 points, including a three-pointer, while Loveridge added 12 points, including two three-pointers. Newcomers Poeltl and Chapman each had a blocked shot.
In the second period, the teams mixed around, and the score was reset. Loveridge continuted where he left off, adding 15 points in the second period. Poeltl added another block, as did Reyes. Isaiah Wright showed some promise, draining four three-pointers and ending the night with 12 points.
Results from a scrimmage shouldn’t be analyzed too deeply, but the Utes seem deeper now than they’ve been in years.
The Utes include 3 seniors, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores, and 6 freshmen (Forward Kyle Kuzma is a redshirt freshman).
The Utes open up play against Pacific in an exhibition match on November 6. The regular season will begin against Ball State on November 14 at the Huntsman Center.
