Utes push tempo in exhibition win

After two exhibition games, the Ray Giacoletti era couldn't have gone much better.

Now come the games that actually count.

Giacoletti's Utes cruised to an 87-48 victory over outmatched Western State on Saturday afternoon in the Huntsman Center before an announced crowd of 9,119. Andrew Bogut had 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead Utah in its second and final exhibition game.

"Ready or not, (the regular season) is here," Giacoletti said. "We've got four more days of practice to get ready. We don't have much of a choice."

The Utes breached the 80-point barrier for the second straight time, a performance almost unheard of during Rick Majerus' tenure. Giacoletti emphasizes pressure defense and a more up-tempo game, a style his players appear to have embraced.

"Coach Majerus' style was more disciplined and we didn't run as much, and sometimes that can work," Bogut said. "Now we're running more, and that suits my style better and this team better."

Of course, it also didn't hurt that the Mountaineers, coming off a two-win season in Division II, didn't have a man on their roster taller than 6-foot-7. Utah's dramatic size advantage contributed to a 47-21 edge on the glass and a 60.7 percent shooting day from the field.

"It will be good to get out and battle guys my own size and strength," Bogut said.

While the outcome of the game was never in doubt, Giacoletti was not pleased with the 20 turnovers his team committed.

"I'm concerned about the turnovers because we're probably going to get the heck pressed out of us in the season," Giacoletti said.

It should help the Utes when point guard Tim Drisdom returns to action. He sat out against Western State and has not practiced since spraining his ankle Oct. 28. Giacoletti expects Drisdom back Monday.

Without Drisdom, ball-handling duties fell to senior Marc Jackson.

Jackson's main task was to feed the ball inside to Bogut or Chris Jackson, who had 12 points. Junior Richard Chaney contributed 18 points and nine rebounds.

The Mountaineers managed to stay close with four 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes, and Utah led just 23-18 with nine minutes left in the first half.

But a 17-2 Utah run ended any intrigue. Chaney led the spurt with six points, and Bogut had five.

Giacoletti played his regulars, minus Drisdom, for the majority of the game as the Utes continue seeking to build continuity.

"We're starting from scratch, trying to build every day," Giacoletti said.

"Defensively, they're starting to buy into what we have to do. Offensively, we've been zoned so much, I'm not sure how we are against man-to-man.

"We have eight or nine guys who know what it takes to be successful. We're trying to find some new guys to fit in."

Utah will have to find a decent level of cohesiveness in a hurry with a trip to the Great Alaska Shootout looming on the horizon.

"We've had a lot to soak in, but for the most part we've got a good grip on it," Marc Jackson said. "There's still a lot more we're supposed to put in. Right now we've got a core base, and we'll open it up more later in the season."

In addition to the offensive changes, the Utes have had to learn a more attacking defensive system, particularly on the perimeter and in the open court.

"We're more aggressive on defense now; we played more containment defense last year," Chaney said. "This year we're looking to force turnovers and run. I like it because that's my game -- to get out and run."

Carleton Goggins led Western State with 11 points.

Utah opens the regular season at home Friday against Stony Brook.

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