| Show Utah's Newest Star Eric Larson Sports The University of Utah is used to having star athletes Their latest has dominated the competition making defenses look silly while leading them to 12 straight wins He has even been mentioned as the potential number one pick in inthe inthe inthe the entire draft and its it's not Alex Smith After a frustrating freshman freshman freshman fresh fresh- man season that saw Head Coach Rick Majerus retire 7 foot Sophomore Andrew Bogut debated turning pro po He did this in spite putting him as a late first round pick at best in the upcoming draft Unsure of who Utah would hire to fill the rather large coaching vacancy Bogut considered considered considered con con- playing professionally professional professional- ly in Europe He thought if played well for one year overseas overseas overseas over over- seas he could boost himself higher in next summers draft Then Utah hired Ray Giacoletti to replace Majerus and suddenly things changed for Bogut While there were no problems between Bogut and Majerus there clearly wasn't a strong bond between the two Giacoletti acted quickly to make sure that didn't didn't didn't did did- nt happen again Once he was hired as coach Giacoletti made it clear his top priority was to convince players from last years team to return His list included Tim Drisdom Bryant Markson and especially Bogut Giacoletti even made a trip to Australia just to see Bogut The trip clearly made an impact on Bogut making the trip showed me he that he really cared and wanted me back Bogut said During the trip told Bogut of his plan to run a more up-tempo up offense and his plans to use Bogut as the focal point in the offense That was all that Bogut needed to hear to keep him at Utah I thought that would benefit me and the team Bogut said about why he decided to return for his sophomore season The only on ones one's ones s regretting his return to Utah are opponents opponents opponents that are forced to try and stop him Bogut has lead Utah to a 17 3 record including a 12 game winning streak heading into yesterdays yesterdays yesterdays yester yester- days game against B BYU YU by averaging nearly 20 points and more than 12 rebounds per game He has also shot an astonishing 63 percent from the field This includes a are re recent eni game game in which lih esh he shot 11 for 12 from the field against the Air Force Academy who leads the nation in defense Bogut's offense isn't the only thing that has drawn praise from opponents His defense has also been key for Utah's success Anchoring Utah's defense Bogut is critical critical critical crit crit- ical to getting Utah into their then up-tempo up offense By having someone who alters shots aswell as aswell aswell well as Bogut he is averaging averaging averaging ing almost 2 blocks per game Utah's perimeter players play play- ers are able to increase their pressure on the ball Bogut is also one of if not the best in the conference His rebounding allows the Us U's guards to release early to start the break Also a great passer he con constantly constantly con throws over the defense to the streaking guards resulting in constant pressure on opposing teams team's transition defense With all these strengths there is only one glaring weakness Bogut is forced to todeal todeal todeal deal with his weight While most people constantly constantly constantly con con- fight to keep weight down Bogut has the unique challenge of not being able to gain weight Despite eating hourly Bogut cant can't seem to gain the extra 10 to 15 pounds See Bogut cont on page 8 Bogut com canT from page 6 that would help catapult him himin himin himin in the draft While Bogut avoids the question many wonder when he will enter the draft His rise this year appears to make him all but certain to declare for the draft after only his second collegiate season While one analyst predicted that he would be bethe bethe bethe the first player chosen a safer bet would be around eighth depending on which teams draft where Players of Bogut's ability dont don't come around often so Utah fans need enjoy him while they have the chance because next year he could playing for their teams rival in the |
