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War metaphors in sports can be cliché and a bit unwieldy. But there was some passion in Larry Krystkowiak's words earlier in the week as he spoke about David Collette, poised to join the Utes that weekend.

"He's a guy who's in our foxhole," he said. "We're excited for him to get back into the fray."

The reason he was so passionate was quickly demonstrated on Saturday afternoon, as Collette and fellow new addition Sedrick Barefield combined for 29 points in their Utah debuts. That the opponent, two-win Prairie View A&M, was far outgunned in the 92-60 victory was a little beyond the point — the Utes (7-2) felt whole for the first time all season.

The anticipation for newcomers often far outpaces reasonable expectations, and the sample size is far too small to suggest that Barefield and Collette are future stars. But they certainly gave the Utes weapons that they've been lacking, and enhanced the ways the team can attack on the floor. Utah shot 59 percent from the floor, with 50 points in the paint, and had assists on more than two-thirds of its baskets.

Krystkowiak fielded several questions in the months leading up to Collette's and Barefield's inclusion: How would it work? Would they be accepted by their teammates?

The coaching staff painted it in this way to the players who were available at the beginning of the year: Barefield and Collette believed so strongly in Utah and wanted to play there so much, they were willing to wait a year to do it. And the team bought into that thinking.

Earlier in the week, Parker Van Dyke talked about Collette: "He made that sacrifice so he could be a part of this program to ultimately just be a Ute. I think it will work out for him."

The Utes also understand it can work out for them: Kyle Kuzma said after Utah's last loss at Xavier that he thought the game went pretty well "for not having two potential starters." Utah has been measuring itself against its competition so far with a hand tied behind its back, and even the players whose time will be affected — Van Dyke, Devon Daniels, Tyler Rawson and Jayce Johnson — are excited to be more competitive against tougher teams.

The question of individual goals versus team interests cropped up early this week when it was learned that Tim Coleman, who spent only eight injury-plagued months in the program, was transferring. Krystkowiak found himself slightly on the defensive, having seen seven scholarship transfers in the last 13 months. At a certain point when people flood out, observers start questioning the program over the players.

Krystkowiak again took on the question of transfers after Saturday's game. He said he's wished many of them well: He was glad to see Kenneth Ogbe (now at Utah Valley) healthy, and he said he's been in touch with Chris Reyes' coaches at Pepperdine to see how he's doing. But ultimately, he's invested in the players who have invested at Utah.

"I can't focus any more attention on what we don't have," he said. "I just wish everyone well. Part of it is the [recruiting] landscape, and part of it is us. I'm just excited about this group. Sometimes change is good for some guys, and we're happy with who we have. It doesn't seem to be any harm."

At this point this season, everyone in Utah's foxhole wants to be there. And that's something Utah's coaches can live with, even if the season hits some rocky points.

Barefield, too, had passion in his voice as he talked about the reasons why he decided to wait it out at Utah, not playing a game for more than a year all for evenings like the one on Saturday night.

"Mainly just the coaching staff, how they told me I had to come in and work, and nothing would be guaranteed," Barefield said. "I really took that to heart."

Twitter: @kylegoon