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If there was one position for which the Utes did not begin this season plagued with uncertainty and trepidation, it was point guard.

But with Josh Watkins no longer a student-athlete at the University of Utah — now merely a student — and an offensively limited freshman starting in his place, the Utes found themselves in Thursday's 77-51 loss to Arizona lacking on-court leadership where it might have seemed most consistent.

In his second career start, Kareem Storey stepped up to score 10 points and distribute six assists. Those numbers were offset by five turnovers, although first-year head coach Larry Krystkowiak said a little inconsistency was understandable given the circumstances.

"He got some quick fouls and made some turnovers," Krystkowiak said. "They've got some long guys, and he was trying to make some passes."

Storey had multiple impressive drives to the basket, kissing the ball off the glass in a manner that would have made Watkins, his former mentor, proud.

But the Utes will not be able to rely on Storey to direct the team alone, Krystkowiak said. Against Arizona, Cedric Martin and Chris Hines spent time handling the ball and Krystkowiak said the guards will need to be interchangeable.

"It would almost be safe to say our point guard is going to be whoever their point guard is guarding," he said.

By label, though, it will be Storey, a 5-foot-10 bundle of fire from Baltimore. He started on Dec. 7 in the loss to Cal State-Fullerton — for which Watkins was suspended — but the expectations have risen since then.

Storey said he didn't feel extra pressure Thursday.

"I was just going out there to play ball," he said. "I've been playing ball my whole life, so I just felt like it was another day just playing ball."

There were times against the Wildcats when the Utes could have used Watkins and his tenacity and scoring. But Utah is moving on.

"Obviously Jig can do some things we need," guard Chris Hines said. "I think Kareem did a wonderful job at his first start. He hit some big shots, made solid plays and stuff like that. I think that overall we missed [Watkins], but we also had some plusses, too."

boram@sltrib.comTwitter: @oramb