Ute forward Taryn Wicijowski had a decision to make entering college: hockey or basketball? The redshirt junior from Regina, Saskatchewan excelled in both as a high school athlete, but opted for the hoop court because she thought it gave her the best chance to play for the Canadian Olympic team, her ultimate goal.

Sometimes, however, Utah coach Anthony Levrets wonders if the former center on the ice rink really gave up the skates.

"I think she’s still playing hockey," Levrets quipped. "She plays basketball with a physicality and a presence that’s not common. It’s a unique skill set to play with the strength that she plays with and still have the touch she has."

That physicality was tangible in her 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, both of which ranked in the top 10 in the conference. Her touch translated into a .498 field goal accuracy in 2011-12- seventh in the Pac-12.