When Utah women’s basketball played its exhibition opener against Colorado State-Pueblo almost two weeks ago, the usual suspects — players like Alissa Pili, Gianna Kneepkens and Kennady McQueen — made key contributions in an easy victory.
So, too, did some players who will hope to carve out regular minutes this season on a veteran-heavy group that is picked to win the Pac-12 Conference title.
While the game helped Utah shake off some of the offseason rust, it gave the Utes’ newcomers and other younger players the chance to make an impression in live-action situations.
That opportunity is coming around again Monday evening, when Utah hosts Northwest Nazarene in the team’s second and final exhibition (5 p.m. MDT at Huntsman Center) before opening the regular season a week later at home against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 6.
“It’s kind of the dog days of basketball season right now,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts told reporters last week. “It’s not February — those are different kinds of dog days. We need to get to playing games, playing against other people.
“We’re not where we need to be, which is good, though. (It) helps me keep them honest a little bit, too, and not get ahead of ourselves.”
Two underclassmen in particular who stood out from that first exhibition performance were sophomore Lani White and true freshman Reese Ross.
The 5-foot-11 guard White scored 16 points in the Utes’ exhibition opener, a total second only to 20 points from Pili, the reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year.
White, an Irvine, California, native, shot 6 of 10 from the field against Colorado State-Pueblo while logging 22 minutes. She made 2 of 5 3-pointers — one of five Utes to hit two 3-pointers — and connected on both of her free-throw attempts.
She also had three steals, two rebounds and a blocked shot.
White emphasized the importance of the team gelling together, in order to build upon last season when the Utes went 27-5 and advanced to the Sweet 16.
“Going into the season, I’m more focused on my team — as a team, we need to play as a collective. I’m just more focused on all of us,” she said. “We’re trying to achieve (lofty) goals — we have banners, but it doesn’t come without hard work.
“My goal going into the season is that we’re all on the same page.”
Ross is a 6-foot-1 forward who hails from Rapid City, South Dakota.
She is one of two true freshmen additions to this year’s roster, along with forward Daniela Falcon Hernandez.
“My teammates bring out the best in me. I didn’t really know what I was capable of, and they’re always there just picking me up.” — Utah forward Reese Ross
During the Utes’ exhibition opener, Ross came off the bench and played 16 minutes, one of two newcomers to play double-digit minutes, along with Boston U. transfer Samantha Crispe.
Ross shot 2 of 3 from the floor, including hitting her only 3-point attempt, to finish with 5 points. She also added a team-high three blocks, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Ross pointed toward the support she’s felt from her teammates as a contributing factor in her development as a first-year college player.
“My teammates bring out the best in me. I didn’t really know what I was capable of, and they’re always there just picking me up,” she said. “My goal for myself is just to be a team player, do whatever I can to put my team in the best position long term.”
There were learning moments in the exhibition opener for both players — White finished with a team-high three turnovers, while Ross had one giveaway.
Overall, Roberts saw effort from her team, but plenty of sloppiness, from that first exhibition in a 96-44 win — not usual at this time of year.
That helps give the No. 5-ranked Utes some focus on what to iron out — the final exhibition and ongoing practices will as well. Their biggest nonconference challenges, like road games against No. 19 Baylor on Nov. 14 and No. 6 South Carolina on Dec. 10, are fast approaching.
While Ross is truly a newcomer, White isn’t a new name to those familiar with the program.
As a true freshman last season, White played in 23 games, averaging 9.7 minutes per contest, and finished the year with averages of 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.
In limited opportunities, she proved to be an effective shooter, hitting 49.1% of her field-goal attempts and shooting 44.4% from 3-point range.
Three times, she scored in double-digits, including 10 points in the Utes’ NCAA Tournament-opening win over Gardner-Webb where White made 4 of 4 shots from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers.
“She just looks more confident. I think there’s a big difference between your freshman year and sophomore year if you take advantage of it. You’re not coming in where everything’s new,” Roberts said of White.
“Last year when I got minutes, I had to make the most with them. This year, I’m going to do the same, if not hopefully more.” — Utah guard Lani White
Asked if there are any freshmen that could work their way into some meaningful playing time this season, Roberts said, “I think we’re going to need Reese Ross to play, and I think she’s capable. But she’ll have the freshman learning curve.”
Knowing that extensive minutes are not guaranteed on a stacked roster, both players are approaching the season with a team-centered focus — how can they help the Utes make steps toward building upon, and exceeding, last year’s successes?
“It’s not about minutes, for me anyways,” Ross said. “It’s more what can I do to help my team in moments I get those opportunities — making sure I am taking care of the ball and avoiding turnovers, getting open shots for Gianna. I am just here to facilitate in areas that they didn’t necessarily have last year.”
White is one of nine returning players — the Utes have all five starters and their top six scorers back from a team that averaged 82.8 points per game, fourth nationally.
“Last year when I got minutes, I had to make the most with them. This year, I’m going to do the same, if not hopefully more,” White said. “I don’t want to be a role player anymore. When I get in there, I want to do what they can’t. Coach Rob has always referred to me as the Energizer Bunny, so if I’ve got to get in there and scream, that’s what I’ll do.”
The biggest takeaway Roberts hopes to instill in her younger players while learning behind such a veteran group is this:
“No matter how many reps you get, no matter how many minutes you get, excel in that. Don’t worry about, ‘oh, why is she playing 20 minutes and why am I only playing 12?’ Be the best you can be in that 12,” the reigning Pac-12 Coach of the Year said.
“That’s hard when you come in as a player and you’re used to playing everything and being the best, to accept that we’re a top 10 team. It’s not going to be easy to break in.”
