UWGB's Tillema to miss at least 3 weeks

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The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay men's basketball team will open its season without one of its best players.


Senior Ryan Tillema did not make the trip for today's season opener at Utah because he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday.

Tillema, who was the Phoenix's second-leading scorer last season (12.5 ppg), is expected to miss three to four weeks. Junior guard Troy Cotton is expected to start in Tillema's place.

The 6-foot-8 Tillema missed the Nov. 9 exhibition finale against UW-Eau Claire after he banged his knee in practice on Nov. 6. At the time, it was diagnosed as a bruise. However, the swelling did not subside and an MRI revealed Tillema sustained damage behind his kneecap and has two bone chips. The surgery will remove the bone chips but will not correct the other damage.

"If they fixed the damage behind the kneecap, he's done for the season," UWGB coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "So they're just going to remove the bone chips."

Kowalczyk said Tillema could have played without having any surgery but would have been at further risk of injury.

"Is it worth the gamble and play or take the seven-game hit now and have him healthy for 20 or 25 games?" Kowalczyk said.

Kowalczyk said Tillema could return for the Dec. 4 Horizon League opener against Wright State.

Kowalczyk also said junior college transfer Jesse Childs did not make the trip to Utah because he was suspended for a violation of team rules. Childs also won't play in the three games later this week in Daytona Beach, Fla., against Rollins College, Marshall and Morgan State.

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UWGB update: This is the opening game of UWGB's 40th season of college basketball and the first game of the Glenn Wilkes Classic, a tournament that continues Friday through Sunday in Daytona Beach, Fla. After today's game, the Phoenix plays Division II Rollins College, Marshall and Morgan State in the event. This is just the second time in Kowalczyk's seven seasons the Phoenix has opened with four straight games away from the Resch Center. UWGB's home opener is Nov. 29 against UMass. ? The Phoenix is 3-3 in season openers under Kowalczyk. ? UWGB improved to 14-0 in exhibition games under Kowalczyk with blowout wins over Minnesota-Duluth (93-61 on Nov. 1) and UW-Eau Claire (92-61 on Nov. 9). ? Terry Evans (shoulder) and Rahmon Fletcher (flu) both missed the Eau Claire game but are expected to play tonight, but senior guard Ryan Tillema (knee) will miss three to four weeks.

Utah update: The Utes sustained a stunning upset loss in its home opener on Saturday, falling to Division II Southwest Baptist 80-79 despite 28 points from senior center Luke Nevill, a preseason all-Mountain West Conference pick. ? Utah was picked fourth in the nine-team MWC behind UNLV, BYU and San Diego State. The Utes return all five starters from last year's team that finished 18-15 overall and 7-9 in the MWC in Boylen's first year. This is Boylen's first head coaching position after serving as an assistant in college and the NBA. Before coming to Utah, he was in his second stint as an assistant at Michigan State (2005-07). He previously worked at MSU from 1987 to 1992. In between, the native of East Grand Rapids, Mich., worked in the NBA with the Houston Rockets (1992-2003), Golden State Warriors (2003-04) and Milwaukee Bucks (2004-05).

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Utes basketball: No time to stew after embarrassing loss


Following an embarrassing 80-79 loss to Southwest Baptist in its regular-season opener, the Utah men's basketball team is anxious to get back on the floor and prove that it is a better team than it showed Saturday.

The Utes don't have to wait long.

They play Wisconsin-Green Bay tonight at 7 at the Huntsman Center. It will be the season-opener for the Phoenix, who play in the Horizon League. The game is part of the Glenn Wilkes Classic, which continues for both teams this weekend in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Despite the unexpected loss Saturday, Boylen still feels positive about his team.

"I'm disappointed we lost, but I'm not discouraged by where we're going," Boylen said. "This level is about adversity, and we'll see how we respond. Every team is going to go through adversity, sometimes it's early, sometimes it's late. We've got to handle it."

In losing to the Division II Bearcats on Saturday, the Utes reverted back to a problem that plagued the team during Ray Giacoletti's last year as the Utes' head coach when they were one of the worst teams in the nation for 3-point defense. The Utes allowed 16 made 3-pointers, which is likely a record for a Ute opponent.

Boylen said most teams that make 16 3-pointers, like Southwest Baptist did, will win. He pointed out that "six or seven" were beyond the NBA 3-point line, farther out than the Utes usually guard their opponents. What really bothered Boylen were the 3s made in transition, and the Utes have worked on their defense for two days.

The Utes did have some bright spots in the opener.

Senior center Luke Nevill looked dominating at times with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while senior forward Shaun Green had a solid game with 15 points and nine rebounds in his first game off the bench. Utah's guard play was lacking, however, with Tyler Kepkay going scoreless after hitting a couple of early shots.

The Phoenix return all five starters from last year, led by Mike Schachtner, who averaged 15.8 points per game, and Ryan Tillema, who averaged 12.5 ppg and led the team with 53 3-pointers. Newcomer Chop Tang, a 6-foot-6 transfer from Eastern Arizona, has led the team with a 19 ppg average in two exhibition games this year.

"They're a very good offensive team," said Boylen. "They have a veteran coach and their system is in place. They play up-tempo with pressure defense. They're going to come in here ready to play."

After tonight's game, the Utes hit the road for a pair of games this weekend in the Glenn Wilkes Classic, against Mississippi on Friday night and Morgan State on Saturday.