Starters come through

As I expected Richard Troyer, Jordan Brady, Joe Walker, Josh Olsen and Ryan Toolson got the start against Mesa State in the first exhibition game of the season, a 91-59 UV win. And all five had some nice moments, some more than others.

Brady has some nice finishes by the basket including a fancy spin move into the lane in between two defenders. Brady looks ready to take over as one of the team's leaders this year.

Walker swatted six shots in the win and also finished a couple of nice lay ups close to the hoop. The team seemed to rely on Walker being there defensively to help them out when they got beat but all in all Walker looks and said he is ready and more confident than he was last season.

Toolson did, of course, what he does. He missed his first two threes but was pretty money after the first ten minutes and he led the team with 19 points. Mesa State looked like he was more of a focus this year compared to last year but he still found ways to put the ball in the hoop.

Making a position change Troyer shouldn't have problems on the offensive end but defensively he is being asked to guard quicker smaller guys. He struggled at times but overall looks to be ready and with Walker in the middle Troyer has more time to get acquainted with his new role.

Olsen backed up Chris Bailey last year and got the start this game but he struggled at times with a couple unforced turnovers but he has the ability to get it done.
If not, Kevin Woods, a freshmen who played 21 minutes, can do some nice things. Perhaps his welcome-to-college moment was when he took a pass from Walker inside all alone and blew an attempted dunk in the second half. He can shake defenders but has a lot to learn.

This result was expected even though Utah Valley narrowly escaped Mesa State last year when David Heck drilled a three at the end of the game.



Other notes: Former guard/forward Matt Peterson was on the radio broadcast with Steve Watts. Peterson was doing the color or analysis part. I'm sure he can give some good insights about Hunsaker and some other factors he went through last year.
Heck was also at the game, both players are still in school, and Peterson said Heck will give it a go on the radio also.


The NCAA will be in town for a analysis of the athletic department Monday and they are trying to push the game and get students aware and have them show up after a crowd of 457 was at the Mesa State game. It will be interesting to see what attendance is like for another exhibition game against another team UV should pound.