Utah Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Utes

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 14: Utah Utes fans gesture as a player shoots a free throw during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Oregon Ducks at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Utes 66-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 14: Head coach Larry Krystkowiak of the Utah Utes reacts to a first half call during their game against the UCLA Bruins at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on January 14, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

Who will crack the Utes’ rotation?

Allen is the only returning player that started in the Utes’ final game last season against Oregon, and with just three total players coming back there are plenty of minutes to be had in Krystowiak’s rotation this season. If we assume that Allen and Battin start at the forward spots, and Gach plays as either a guard or forward.

The question is whether Krystowiak wants to go with the prototypical center like he had last season with Jayce Johnson or if he goes without this season. If he does, I’d expect Van Komen and Thioune splitting time there, with the redshirt freshman Thioune getting the starting nod. I’m not sure 6-11 freshman Branden Carlson sees a ton of minutes ahead of those two, Reininger and Hunter Mecum a 6-8 235lb. freshman from California is more suited to play forward. Those two along with Jantunen are likely to eat up most of the frontcourt minutes if the Utes start three forwards.

The guard picture is just as murky with King the only true guard returning, which is why I’m inclined to believe we will see Gach playing a lot at the guard position, as King played in just seven games as a redshirt freshman last season. The other starter will probably be Plummer with the acclaimed Jones and Wenzel right behind him, as I’d be surprised if they hand Jones the key to the car right out of the gate, but that could change once practice starts. Three other freshmen Brandon Haddock, Jaxon Brenchley, and Elias Ballstaedt will be fighting for the remaining guard minutes.

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