Point guard Glen Dean watches practice one week after brain surgery

>As the Utes wrapped up practice Wednesday, Glen Dean watched from the sideline, his body folded into 90-degree angles atop a folding chair, a black sock cap pulled to the upper rims of his eyes.

The Utes' junior point guard was one week removed from undergoing brain surgery that repaired a ruptured blood vessel that had caused him severe headaches, dizziness and blurred vision.

Dean did not speak to the media Wednesday, but coach Larry Krystkowiak expressed relief and happiness that the transfer junior was able to return so quickly.

"It was about as good a scenario as could come of that situation," Krystkowiak said.

The Utes opened the season 1-8, but have won two straight since Dean had his surgery. The Utes play at Weber State Thursday.

"He's kind of galvanized our team, I think, kind of brought everybody together," Krystkowiak said. "At the holidays, not to be corny about it, it kind of brings a lot of things into focus."

Krystkowiak has said previously he expects Dean to rejoin the team in workout as soon as early January, although there is little rush to get him back.

Dean iis sitting out this year due to NCAA transfer regulations after spending his first two seasons at Eastern Washington. He led the Eagles in scoring and assists both seasons and was the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the year in 2009-10.

— Bill Oram