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Show Friday, March 2,2007 'DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Game Guide 2 In this corner... o Trent Plaisted, C Lastyear's MWC Freshman of the Year has continued his dominance in year two, averaging 12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. His 6foot-10 presence gives the Cougars a legitimate low post threat. On the defensive end, Plaisted,, has proven himself an effective shot blocker, averaging just over one block a game. Keena Young, SF Young Is thrust behind the Cougars MWC title run, combining quickness with marksmanship-like aim. His 6foot-5 frame has proven to be a tough match-up for opponents, often too strong for guards and too nimble for. forwards. Young has proven himself invaluable this season, averaging 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Jimmy Balderson, G Lee Cummard, G Cummard does a little bit of everything for the Cougars. He can shoot the ball from the outside (35for-78 from three-point line}, defend the ball (45 steals) and rebound (5.6 rpg). The 6-foot-6 sophomore is one of the scrappier players on the team, doing whatever it takes to get the win for his team. Austin Ainge, P G Ainge is the glue that holds the Cougars together. Whether it be making an extra pass or draining a three-pointer, he is the one that gets it done. The senior is the team's vocal leader and has come up with big play after big play for the Cougars this season. Johnnie Bryant, P G This senior has been the driving force behind the Utah offense this conference season, averaging 16.5 points and 2.9 assists per game. He can create off the dribble or pull up from behind the arc depending on the situation. Bryant is the floor general for the Utes, leading both the offense and defense from his point guard position. He is one of the two captains. Ricky Johns, G The Utes' sole senior is one of the two team captains and has been inspiring his team with a feverish work ethic and a deadeye jumpshot. In his farewell at the Huntsman Center on Tuesday, Johns shot 11for-13 from the floor to finish with a career-high 30 points and lead his team to an upset victory over 5DSU. This senior is a streak player. He could find a rhythm and go off for 25 • or end a game scoring nothing. More often than not, it's the latter, but the always-efficient guard is usually a contributor. Balderson, who stands at a towering 6-foot-6, is currently averaging 8.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. In this corner... TAH Lawrence Borha, G Borha is the best perimeter defender on the Utah roster and has become commonplace in the starting lineup the past couple weeks. The sophomore has been pitching In on offense recently as well, averaging nine points in the past three games. Luke Nevill, C This 7-foot-1 Aussie has been the focal point of the Utah offense the entire year. He is currently averaging 16.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and is ranked ninth in the nation in field-goal percentage (63.5). Nevill has proven to be quite the deterrent on defense as well, altering shots and players with his impressive stature. p;' £ f * 1%, *' ;•" •.*£<! *>..'• • •'• t Shaun Green, F A unique combination of size and shooting ability, Green has been the Utes' biggest outside threat this season. He currently leads the nation • in three-point percentage, connecting on a blistering 54.3 percent of his shots from behind the a r c ; : Defensively, Green has been a consistent presence, whether It be guarding a three or defending the low post. m |