Dominique Lee and J.J. O'Brien gone as Utah's new roster takes shape
by JazzyUte on May 19, 2011 2:29 PM MDT
in Basketball
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PrintThe Deseret News is reporting what we've all expected for quite some time - J.J. O'Brien will not be a Ute next season. Dominique Lee, a redshirt freshman, is also not returning for the 2011-12 inaugural Pac-12 season.
Utah's roster then will be dramatically different than what took the court last year. Only four players will return from the Jim Boylen era - David Foster, Jason Washburn, Josh Watkins and Chris Hines. Junior college transfers Dijon Farr, Cedric Martin and Javon Dawson will join high school signees Anthony Odunsi and Kareem Storey, as well as Boylen recruits George Matthews and Josh Sharp, to make up the official roster as the team transitions into a new conference.
Those changes suggest the Utes will have a difficult first year in the Pac-12 and expectations most likely will be extremely low in Larry Krystkowiak's first season.
But with this team struggling to meet expectations the last six years, that might not be such a bad thing.
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Not surprised by Lee's decision
I liked Larry’s comment in the story that he “helped” some of them make that decision. Good on ya coach!
I forgot about the other missionary; it will be nice to have some size once foster graduates this year.
All in all, I am excited for the future. sure, this year will have rough stretches, but I think Larry has the team going the right direction and I think we will be back to where we need to be soon.
Formerly SportsInUtah
Follow me on twitter: @BigBenSportsGuy
by BigBenSportsGuy on May 19, 2011 2:49 PM MDT reply actions
I guess I just don't see
How being an ass to the players you inherited helps things. Hopefully it will work out.
by Comrade Crimson on May 19, 2011 2:58 PM MDT up reply actions
The way I see it working is that he is trying to change the culture that has taken over in Utah basketball in recent years. That the recruits are there for the coach, not the team and the rest of the of the Ute’s culture.
It also puts a huge amount of trust in your new recruits and let’s them know that they have your confidence to play, and that they don’t need guys who think they are bigger than the team.
exactly
the guys who transferred for there to play boylen’s isolation, im in it for myself, brand of basketball. Talk about less-effective.
Larry appears to be bringing in guys who actually want to be a Ute.
Formerly SportsInUtah
Follow me on twitter: @BigBenSportsGuy
by BigBenSportsGuy on May 19, 2011 3:20 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm not sure why you'd want to be a Ute
When the new coach comes in being a total dick to you.
Larry decided to run six guys off, I personally find that troubling. I also find it troubling we’re going to have to watch our 1-25 team next year because of Larry’s giant ego.
But most Ute fans are drinking the kool aid. Hope it works for you.
by Comrade Crimson on May 19, 2011 9:52 PM MDT up reply actions
You, Sir, are a bitter, misinformed, slanderer.
But you get high marks for consistancy…. Run them off?? Have some of your own kool aid. No one else is buying your BS that I can see. Why don’t you start a “Hate the coach blog”…..BEFORE THE FIRST GAME he coaches? It will be quiet place to reflect and spew your prejudices to an audience that is not going to judge until there is a body of work to judge. Trouble, trouble, trouble, right here in Salt Lake City.
Your brother ran off six players...
That level of change is unprecedented ANYWHERE. Even when Kentucky was facing THE DEATH PENALTY, they didn’t have six players leave.
And to pretend that Larry is somehow innocent or 100 percent correct in all this is beyond reality.
by Comrade Crimson on May 19, 2011 11:07 PM MDT up reply actions
Reality? I think you've lost it, Comrade...
It’s not innocent or guilty for crying out loud. It’s called transition. Did you ever stop to think that a player asking for his release might not be the rock to start building on? Would you argue with a player to stay after that? Get ‘em a blanky and some warm milk while they shop around?
Let’s have the dirt you evidently are basing this spiteful indictment on. You must have some inside info to keep up with this same old theme….. I would hope. I don’t believe you know anymore about it than the rest of us do.
Are u a Y troll?
1. The team wont be 1-25
2. Who wants players on the team that don’t want to play and would rather be else where.
Glover- Didn’t show me much in his 2 years
kupets/DiMaria- Nothing needs to be said
Preston Guiot- Cant have a lot of talent if he transferred to Southwest Baptist
Obrien- This one hurts but he wont be a star player tell he develops a jump shot, too one dimensional
Clyburn- Loved him but not a huge loss b/c we had him for 1 more year. Matthews could very well turn to be a Clyburn
Lee- Loved what I heard about him, defense and athleticism but opens up more time for all the guard transfers
by PhuckthePhillies on May 19, 2011 10:26 PM MDT up reply actions
How is this team going to win games...
They don’t have a scorer. We have like 4-5 players under six feet tall. And next year we might have 1 over 6 7.
And if Ute fans want to bury their heads and pretend that somehow changing six guys was a good thing, by all means do it.
But it is nonsense, nothing more.
by Comrade Crimson on May 19, 2011 11:10 PM MDT up reply actions
what is your problem?
Its not like this team was bound for NCAA tournament success this year. Clyburn was leaving no matter who came in. He came here for Boylen and that was it. Guiot, Kupets, and DiMaria had absolutely no business being on D1 rosters. Glover will be more or less roster fill on whatever team he goes to.
Sure, losing O’Briend hurts, but lets not rush to judgement so quick. Larry was able to pull in some highly touted guys in almost no time. The expectations will be pretty low. Lets give him a chance please.
Personally, I think you are a zoob troll.
Affectionately known on Over the Monster as "Pete"
Follow me on twitter: @BigBenSportsGuy
by BigBenSportsGuy on May 20, 2011 8:33 AM MDT up reply actions
There is one guy under six feet tall
According to the roster in the DNews article. There are three more who are under 6-3, and two of them, Josh Watkins and Chris Hines, were recruited by Boylen.
There are three guys that are 6-7, Jason Washburn is 7-0 and David Foster is 7-3. Not out of whack for a college roster.
You have got to be one of the most negative people I have ever met.
I keep accidentally eating my pets. Maybe I should get something less appetizing, like a cat instead of a Twinkie.
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
Dean is 5-10
I’ve seen Jiggy and Hines in person and neither is really 6 feet, and many others (not me) have said Storey isn’t 6 feet either.
That makes four.
Sorry stating a fact is somehow negative for you.
by Comrade Crimson on May 21, 2011 3:52 PM MDT up reply actions
and this is relevant because.........
…………..?
Affectionately known on Over the Monster as "Pete"
Follow me on twitter: @BigBenSportsGuy
by BigBenSportsGuy on May 23, 2011 8:19 AM MDT up reply actions
It's not your "facts" that are negative, it's your oft-repeated opinion
And your anecdotal information on the players’ height is nice, but if we’re comparing apples to apples, you would compare the Utes’ self-reported heights to the self-reported heights of other teams’ players – they’re very similar. All teams have some inflated stats on their official rosters.
Could Utah use a bruising 6-9 PF? Definitely, but as I said, their roster stats are pretty typical of college teams, and don’t mean the team will go 1-25.
I keep accidentally eating my pets. Maybe I should get something less appetizing, like a cat instead of a Twinkie.
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
so larry k. wants his own players. a smart man would want to rise and fall with the players he brought in.
who wants players that don’t want to be here. screw them.
Jon " Bones " Jones new UFC light heavyweight champion. Even if Jones got struck flush in the face he would recover and defeat whoever is in front of him. I told everyone the fight would be easy. Anderson Silva would never fight "Bones". He is too scared to fight the real P4P champion. Nick Diaz, the man who will prove to the MMA world that he is the best WW in the world. Oswalds smack is weaker than the alcohol content of Utah beer.
by wolfmanshowlforever on May 20, 2011 2:35 PM MDT up reply actions
I think its about time
that someone makes you face the truth Comrade. You are the type of fan that embarrasses other Ute fans. You talk out of your ass like you know what you’re talking about, and that you have credible inside information when in all reality you don’t know a damn thing about the situation. You also must not know a single thing about the game of basketball either or else you wouldn’t be so in love with the players and coach who won 6 of their last 21 games. Yes it hurts to lose players like Obrien and Clyburn, but the fact of the matter is our program needs to be stripped down and rebuilt. You can’t accomplish something new (like in our case: winning) without changing direction. I have no doubt that (yes I’m speculating, but at least I admit it) that Coach K wanted some of those guys back, but no coach will EVER win with a bunch of players with one foot out the door, no matter how good they are. Coach K has made it clear, he runs the program, not the players and that no one player is better and more important than the rest. I could very well be wrong but I think he’s done everything thing he needs at this point to put a winning product on the floor considering the situation he was handled. Try supporting your Utes for a chance, that is unless you are a Zoob acting as a Ute just to piss off true Ute fans like myself.
Mr Comrade Crimson on his first recent posting back in April....
“I’ve decided to bring my talents to Block U, Jazzy tells me its a good time.”
I don’t think Jazzy was expecting your commentary to be so inciteful, informative and mostly hogwash.
Telling me how to be a Ute fan
That isn’t Zoob like at all.
What amuses me most is that Ute fans like you will turn on Larry as well the second he doesn’t win and walk around thumping your chest about how the next guy knows all and Larry was terrible.
If true Ute fans are total frontrunners like yourself, maybe you’re right, I don’t belong. At least my knees don’t hurt from jumping on and off bandwagons
by Comrade Crimson on May 20, 2011 11:04 PM MDT up reply actions
What about Glover?
Has anybody heard a a final word on what Shawn Glover is doing? Did O’Brien sign with another team or did Coach K just say forget it because he took so long to decide?
it appears that glover
will not be back. OBrien has not signed yet, but you are spot on. Basically, he took too long and Coach K needed to move on.
Affectionately known on Over the Monster as "Pete"
Follow me on twitter: @BigBenSportsGuy
by BigBenSportsGuy on May 20, 2011 8:29 AM MDT up reply actions
out with the old and in with the new. it's much better to clean house and start completely over with the people you want
rise and fall and your decisions. its the best way to go about business.
Jon " Bones " Jones new UFC light heavyweight champion. Even if Jones got struck flush in the face he would recover and defeat whoever is in front of him. I told everyone the fight would be easy. Anderson Silva would never fight "Bones". He is too scared to fight the real P4P champion. Nick Diaz, the man who will prove to the MMA world that he is the best WW in the world.
by wolfmanshowlforever on May 19, 2011 7:17 PM MDT reply actions
So then Woolridge isn’t an option? I thought Hines was gone?
by PhuckthePhillies on May 19, 2011 8:17 PM MDT reply actions
He still could be......
since he has to redshirt. But I am not counting on him. Hines is still around.
Affectionately known on Over the Monster as "Pete"
Follow me on twitter: @BigBenSportsGuy
by BigBenSportsGuy on May 20, 2011 8:30 AM MDT up reply actions
New Players can't hurt
The only player lost that hurts is O’brien Besides Clyburn, I’m not sure any of the other departing players were D-I caliber to begin with. Our talent level can’t get much worse than it was last year.
Misty
Best to all the guys leaving the program, but it is hard for me to lose sleep about losing guys from one of the most pathetic Utah teams that have ever played up on the hill.
by Utah-UCLA alum on May 19, 2011 11:28 PM MDT reply actions
Ute hoops, Comrade, and other thoughts...
First off, I know Comrade ain’t a zoob. I don’t know where Comrade is coming from on this. I don’t agree with his doom and gloom, but I’ll say this about him: I seldom agree with Comrade on much of anything. But I have found that we’re close to one mind when it comes to Ute hoops.
To me, the current Ute basketball situation is a classic half glass of water. You can take a darker tone with the current situation, and frankly, you wouldn’t be wrong. If LK is going to turn this around, it’s probably going to get darker before we see some light.
I do think there are some KoolAid drinkers, but they’re few. For the most part, I think there are die hard Utes who are trying to make the best of the situation. There’s a certain point where that’s all you can do. What’s the point of criticizing LK now? Like someone else pointed out, his team hasn’t even played one game.
I also agree that this thing needed to be stripped down to the studs, which is what happened. It’s so pathetic that it’s almost comical that only four guys remain from last year. This program is so ill it’s hilarious. But, I’m VERY proud of the guys who are sticking with it. Truthfully, they’re the guys who have no other choice, but it sounds like they’re making the best of it, grabbing their lunch pail and hammer and getting to work. I have nothing but respect for that.
I’ve been surprised at how sick our program has looked since Boylen’s departure. And I’ll admit, I don’t know if that’s me buying in too much to the fans who have been pissing on Boylen’s grave, or if, now that he’s gone, I’m seeing the program more objectively and it’s apparent that things were MUCH worse than I thought they were even 6 months ago. Honestly, I think it’s the latter. Boylen was a good guy, but his program was a wreck. The players attitudes who have willingly left have spoken volumes to me. Hopefully LK has the right stuff, or we’re witnessing one of the epic collapses in sports from a perennial top 20 program to a nuclear winter.
I bitched a little at first about the LK hire, but I’m squarely in his court now. Not because I’m a fan of his yet, but I’m a Ute fan and alum, and he’s the U’s guy. He sincerely wants the Ute job, and he appears to be taking it head on with sweat equity and integrity. What more can you ask of a guy at this point? And while not everything has gone his way yet, I don’t think he’s made any stupid or near-sighted decisions. The indecisive players had their time to make a choice. They couldn’t. Time to move on, 1-25, or not. That’s the course the U needs to take, even if it sucks for a while.
Sorry for the long post.
by fountainofute on May 20, 2011 10:18 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs
“I bitched a little at first about the LK hire, but I’m squarely in his court now. Not because I’m a fan of his yet, but I’m a Ute fan and alum, and he’s the U’s guy.”
I can’t say that I’m squarely in his court, but I certainly am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I would have gone for Gottfried but that ship has sailed and we have who we have. I applaud Krystkowiak’s decisiveness regarding O’Brien – it really was time to #### or get off the pot.
If the recruiting class is now full, it’s time for us fans to stop playing what if and start playing what now as we wait to see how well and quickly Krystkowiak can get these players in shape, up to speed and gelling as a team for the upcoming season.
"It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word" - Andrew Jackson
by uteowl on May 20, 2011 1:00 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
so do i.
Jon " Bones " Jones new UFC light heavyweight champion. Even if Jones got struck flush in the face he would recover and defeat whoever is in front of him. I told everyone the fight would be easy. Anderson Silva would never fight "Bones". He is too scared to fight the real P4P champion. Nick Diaz, the man who will prove to the MMA world that he is the best WW in the world. Oswalds smack is weaker than the alcohol content of Utah beer.
by wolfmanshowlforever on May 20, 2011 2:38 PM MDT up reply actions
Look at that a reasoned post
And to let you know here is my thought. Next year didn’t have to be a total cluster. We had talent to build around. And the team had spent time together. A decent season next year helps more than a crap one.
Every new coach who comes first priority should be to keep what talent he has. With us it was Will JJ the recruit Matthews and the raw talent of Lee. Even with Will leaving, it’s not a terrible nucleaus. Instead we bring in a couple of meh JCs, a transfer who hasn’t shown a ton and a guy who was good at Eastern WA (although I like Dean he probably isn’t PAC 12 quality).
Next year were going to need major scoring from Freshmen just to be not terrible. Who with that roster do we beat in the PAC 12? I just think we’d have been much better served trying not to suck next year. And more than a few head coaches take that approach when they get jobs, trying to keep the talent they have and being decent their first year.
by Comrade Crimson on May 20, 2011 11:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Thank you....
for expressing your concerns without the usual venom. I think you and I will never agree on most of the above made assertions but we should both be able to live with that… without being nasty. I fail to understand how you can call next year a cluster already and I don’t know why you’d want to try to make someone stay against their will (esp if they weren’t commited to the program) but every fan has his ideas about building a team. Many posts on here indicate an inferior level of talent with at least some of the defectors…. how do you build with that? Development, yes!… but only from a reasonably high plateau. I remain confused about your immediate and harsh criticism of the process so far but respect your right to post as you see fit. Particularly in a civil manner.
-I highly doubt the Dawson PF is a meh JC pick up. All the things being said about him makes me excited and he has 3 years to play too
-Matthews stayed on board and he looks like a big time player
-Anthony Odunsi excites me a lot as well
-What makes you think Dean isn’t Pac 12 capability?
-Dotson looks like a solid JC transfer as well, started for LSU
-Martin is a really good defender and good shooter
-Storey sounds like a true PG which is something we have lacked for years
-Farr is another good defender that is versatile
-Green is a walk on but is versatile
by PhuckthePhillies on May 21, 2011 9:36 AM MDT up reply actions
Lets look at that list...
Dawson and Farr combined barely give us the 17 and 10 we lost from Clyburn.
Glen Dean had no offers from high school from any schools beyond Big Sky. He was solid at Eastern Washington, but Ute fans know how far Eastern is from the MWC let alone the Pac 12. He’ll be good but if he had Pac 12 talent he’d have been at a Pac 12 school.
Storey has all the same raps that Jiggy has, so we’re now excited about that?
Dotson, while well thought of out of high school, never averaged 10 a game at LSU. Washington didn’t want him and Gonzaga passed on him for a guy named Guy Landry.
I like Matthews and Odunsi will be a nice contributor. But what about this team is going to make us competitive against Washington UCLA Arizona etc… hell even OSU and Wazzu.
by Comrade Crimson on May 21, 2011 1:21 PM MDT up reply actions
Storey 9 assists a game, almost a 3 to 1 assist to turnover ratio
Jiggy 3.5 assists 3.4 turnovers
How do these players get the same rap? Thats the only bad thing on Jiggy is his turnovers so if Storey is Jiggy with much more control and assists that is an incredible pick up
by PhuckthePhillies on May 21, 2011 2:17 PM MDT up reply actions
That is THE MOST NONSENSICAL COMPARISON
In the History of the Internet.
You’re using Storey’s high school stats to Jiggys stats from last year. WHAT A JOKE.
Jiggy averaged 25pts 6 assists and 5 board per game in high school, and was only MVP of the national JC tourney and considered one of the top 5 JC pickups in the nation. And Storey is a better recruit?
plus here is what ESPN said about Storey
While Story is an unrelenting attacker and scorer, it sometimes comes at the expense of his teammates or the team’s offense. He monopolizes the ball, hunts shots, and has a very hard time making good decisions. It remains to be seen if he can play in structure at the next level, especially in a half-court game.
I realize that you’re irritated with me and want to run and post and prove me wrong. You really should just try to learn what you’re talking about if you’re going to do it.
Also to point out, Storey isn’t nearly 6 ft and again I’m not the one saying it.
So to sum up
1. Storey=the same rap as Jiggy miuns all the talent.
2. You need to know what you’re talking about before posting.
by Comrade Crimson on May 21, 2011 3:48 PM MDT up reply actions
You do have a lot of recent information...
on these guys travels and who passed and who didn’t want, etc. I am asking again where it all comes from? You’d have to be quite an insider to come up with a lot of it. Are you hiding an identity or inside connection to another coach or what? I aint hiding anything…. not sure thats the case with you, Sir. There won’t be any proving anyone wrong until after the season progresses. For now it’s all rhetorical. Most of us think you’re wrong. Since it’s a done deal can we move on to different topic or something? Start a K2 slamming, trouble,trouble, trouble thread and go to town!
CU fan here
is this Carlon Brown guy who transferred to CU any good?
Lot of talent but took really bad shots and is a very selfish player. If he had it going on upstairs he could be an NBA player
by PhuckthePhillies on May 21, 2011 9:13 AM MDT up reply actions
If you love SPECTACULAR MISSED DUNKS
You’ll love Carlon Brown
by Comrade Crimson on May 21, 2011 1:28 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Depends on what you need........
If you are looking for a guy to be a complementary piece, who can do a little of everything and give you the energy when your main guys don’t have it, yeah, Carlon Brown is great. If you are looking for leadership, consistent scoring, defense, and a team-first approach, Carlon Brown is not your guy.
Also, be prepared. If attending a game, Carlon Brown WILL throw the ball into the stands when he is trying to pass to one of his teammates.
I forgot about Carlon. Can’t wait to see the reaction when he returns to the HC.
Affectionately known on Over the Monster as "Pete"
Follow me on twitter: @BigBenSportsGuy
by BigBenSportsGuy on May 23, 2011 8:27 AM MDT up reply actions
Speaking of transfers
Can JJ O’Brien miss dunks as spectacularly as Brown? We desperately need to replace out graduating/NBA drafting big men Leonard and Thomas
Denorfia sucks.
Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser. -- Vince Lombardi
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on May 24, 2011 9:44 PM MDT reply actions
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