Pac-12 preview: the University of Utah

This is the first in an annual 12-part series previewing the Pac-12 teams for the upcoming season.

It's not only a fresh season but a brand new day for the Utah Utes.

Following last year's 9-21 last-place Pac-12 finish, fifth-year coach Anthony Levrets was let go and Lynne Roberts hired from the University of Pacific. She has already set a different tone.

In nine seasons at Pacific, where her record was 221-175, and four seasons before that at Chico State, Roberts' up-tempo style drove her teams to an average overall scoring record of 71.2 points per game. It is a style that is a breath of fresh air for a hungry Utah, which has languished in the basement of the conference since joining four years ago.

"Lynne appreciates our long tradition of women's basketball success and is excited at the challenges ahead as we strive to become a leader in the Pac-12," Utah athletic director Chris Hill said in announcing Roberts as the new coach last spring.

Gone is top scorer Taryn Wicijowski (13.9 points per game) and another starter, Cheyenne Wilson (7.1 ppg). But the Utes' cupboard is far from bare.

Senior guard Danielle Rodriguez (9.5 ppg), sophomore guard Tanaeya Boclair (8.7 ppg) and sophomore center Joeseta Fatuesi (6.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg) return, as do key bench players Paige Crozon, Emily Potter and Nakia Arquette.

Katie Kuklok, a transfer from Utah Valley University, will finally make her Utah debut, after a season-ending injury one year ago kept her out for the entire year. She averaged 16 points per game at UVU. Two freshmen round out the list of newcomers: Erika Bean and Jordanna Porter.

A two-time Big West coach of the year, Roberts rebuilt Pacific into a winning program, and aims to do the same with the Utes, step-by-step. She said she is more concerned with daily improvement right now than anything else.

“We just want this group to reach their potential,” Roberts said. “We want to stay healthy. We want them to have fun, enjoy playing and competing in the Pac-12."

"Every week, we want to get better. I’ve learned in my years of coaching that you really have to coach the process. You can’t coach outcome and get so wrapped up in thinking about the end of the season or what we are going to try to achieve.”

Utah isn't shying away from competition in pre-conference scheduling. They will take on Oklahoma, Boston College, Cal State Northridge, Creighton and BYU before their first Pac-12 game Jan. 2, against Washington State at home.