Increasingly, Nevill Enjoying Praise for His Defense
Center Luke Nevill has lost his position as the top scorer for the Utes this season. Guard Johnnie Bryant has passed him, on the strength of the 49 points in the last two games that earned him Mountain West Conference player of the week honors.
But that hasn't stopped the rest of the league from admiring the 7-foot-1 center.
Coach Neil Dougherty of TCU said that Nevill has become "a lot stronger" and more physical than he was last year, and "passes the ball a lot better than he has before." Similarly, Wyoming's Heath Schroyer credited Nevill with impacting the game "a lot" both by producing himself and by creating opportunities for his teammates.
And coach Jim Boylen could not agree more.
Speaking at his weekly press conference today, he credited Nevill for "buying in" more and more, and becoming an increasing presence on the defensive end. While his scoring average is down to 13.7 points per game -- Bryant leads the Utes at 13.9 -- Nevill is leading the league with 30 blocked shots and averaging 7.3 rebounds per game. He blocked 33 shots all of last season.
"He's taking more ownership with how the team does, not just how he does," Boylen said. "He's in better shape than he's ever been in his life. That helps. And I think he's being held accountable to a higher standard. ... It hasn't always been easy for him, and it hasn't always been fun around here for him, but anything worth anything is going to be hard."
But that hasn't stopped the rest of the league from admiring the 7-foot-1 center.
Coach Neil Dougherty of TCU said that Nevill has become "a lot stronger" and more physical than he was last year, and "passes the ball a lot better than he has before." Similarly, Wyoming's Heath Schroyer credited Nevill with impacting the game "a lot" both by producing himself and by creating opportunities for his teammates.
And coach Jim Boylen could not agree more.
Speaking at his weekly press conference today, he credited Nevill for "buying in" more and more, and becoming an increasing presence on the defensive end. While his scoring average is down to 13.7 points per game -- Bryant leads the Utes at 13.9 -- Nevill is leading the league with 30 blocked shots and averaging 7.3 rebounds per game. He blocked 33 shots all of last season.
"He's taking more ownership with how the team does, not just how he does," Boylen said. "He's in better shape than he's ever been in his life. That helps. And I think he's being held accountable to a higher standard. ... It hasn't always been easy for him, and it hasn't always been fun around here for him, but anything worth anything is going to be hard."
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 1:14 PM |
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