Loss of Tillie a "big blow''

After his team’s less than spectacular win over Idaho State Thursday night, Ute coach Jim Boylen was quite upset with his team’s lackluster performance. But at least that was something that was fixable over the next few days.
The loss of Kim Tillie for the next four to six weeks is a much bigger concern.
In the space of a minute talking about Tillie’s stress fracture of his right leg, Boylen said “big blow” five times.
“Big blow to our defense . . . highest per minute rebounder and scorer on our team . . . big blow . . . our best overall defensive player, understands our defense the best, big blow to our team until he gets back, we’ll do the best we can . . . big blow. We’ll miss his energy, his athleticism, he’s our best athlete . . . big blow.
Boylen said Tillie’s leg bothered him early in the month and he twisted it two weeks ago. Last year, Tillie broke an ankle
just before the start of Mountain West Conference play and missed the rest of the season.
The loss of Tillie could be the worst thing for the Utes aside from the loss of Luke Nevill. The Utes already lack depth in the middle Nevill and Tillie are two of the only players on the team that play center. With Tillie sidelined, freshman Morgan Grim will have to be Nevill’s backup. Grim has the toughness Boylen desires, but at 6-foot-9 and barely 200 pounds, Grim is bound to get knocked around inside. However Boylen is happy with Grim and the effort he gives whenever he’s in the game.
“He battles and he competes. That’s what I’ve asked him to do and that’s what he does. He made two great passes against the zone. He helped this team win,” Boylen said.