There were even more new faces, however.

Both the Wolverine men’s and women’s teams are embarking on a new journey in 2023-24 as they have adjusted to the attrition that is part of modern college basketball.

The UVU women’s team has a clear edge in continuity as they have a strong core of players coming back.

But the Wolverines did have four of their top eight scorers leave, so this season will be significantly different. UVU hopes the translates to more success, since the Wolverines struggled last season.

“The biggest thing is that we are excited to get back on the court and kind of get back on track after last year,” UVU head coach Dan Nielson said. “We felt like last year couldn’t have gone worse with regards to injuries and some of the stuff that happened.”

He said he sees a rejuvenated team this year that is ready for the challenges.

“I believe in this group,” Nielson said. “I’m excited for who we added, both through the transfer portal and with people who have gotten healthy. We are excited.”

Wolverine junior guard Ally Criddle — a former Skyridge star — said this year’s group already has some advantages.

“It’s super-great to have everyone healthy to start,” Criddle said. “This is the first time we have had multiple practices where all 16 players are healthy and practicing. It’s awesome to have enough people to do that. We have 15 players who could play in a game tomorrow and I would be OK with all 15 of us playing. I think our depth will be huge for us this year.”

The attrition is more evident on the UVU men’s squad, which has three players on its roster currently who played last winter when the Wolverines reached the NIT semifinals.

And none of that trio averaged more than 2.2 points per game.

Not only that but UVU had Todd Phillips get promoted from being an assistant coach to become the head coach when Mark Madsen left to take the head coaching job at Cal.

So while there are some ties to the past, for the most part this is a new start for the Wolverine men’s hoops squad.

Now that the end of October is in sight, the college basketball season is right around the corner.

“It feels good to get to this point,” Phillips said Wednesday. “There are some nerves there. Anxiety starts to creep in a little bit because you feel like there is so much you don’t have done. I think all coaches go through that.”

But he believes that UVU has built a strong foundation to build on heading to the season.

“I think it is important to have the right stuff in and have the guys be confident in what they are doing,” Phillips said. “I think our guys are there. They are confident and are excited to get going and playing. We just need to play games so we can learn and grow from that.”

Wolverine freshman guard Tanner Toolson — who transferred from BYU — said getting on the same page has been the main focus as UVU has gotten ready.

“A lot of our preparation has been to mesh with each other,” Toolson said. “A lot of our challenges come from the fact that we are all so new. Getting guys who have come in to mesh together has been a little bit of a challenge but I think in time we will be able to come together and eventually be really good. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

Both teams will start the season at the UCCU Center in Orem on Nov. 6 as the UVU men will host Carroll College at 5 p.m., followed by the Wolverine women taking on Weber State at 7:30 p.m.

Jay Drowns, UVU Marketing