A cloud hovered over Jon Horford’s head.

There wasn’t a storm brewing or even a massive fog. Just a little, tiny cloud that was making the Michigan basketball freshman forward a little unhappy.

“Not completely lost,” Horford said. “Just a little cloud. But I’ve got my teammates helping me out, getting me through that.”

Through the first eight games of his college career, Horford said he didn’t fully grasp Michigan’s offense. There were times he was lost. It's unsurprising considering the coach John Beilein's offense is notoriously hard for freshmen to pick up right away.

Then Horford sprained his knee during a 4-on-4 drill in practice last Sunday and sat out Monday's win over Concordia.

He responded Friday with career highs in minutes (16), points (5), rebounds (5) and confidence - he has some now - in Michigan’s 75-64 win over Utah.

“He had his best week of practice, even though he sprained the knee,” Beilein said. “…He has been playing much better, but he’s just learning balance, footwork. We’ve done a great job with that.”

The game slowed down a bit the past few days in practice for Horford, who had been more of a defensive presence than offensive stalwart at Grand Ledge High near Lansing.

But Horford showed his potential Friday.

As for that cloud?

“No,” Horford said. “No more cloud.”

More Eso? It was last year against Utah when then-freshman guard Eso Akunne had a coming out party of sorts.

He played 17 minutes against the Utes in Salt Lake City, mostly because Zack Novak missed the game with the flu.

After that, Akunne spent the second semester of his freshman year academically ineligible and has slowly tried to play his way into the rotation.

Against Utah this year, the sophomore played six minutes in the first half.

The Ann Arbor native and Father Gabriel Richard graduate got off only one shot, but played solid defense and showed he might be able to handle receiving more minutes here and there.

“I love having the three-guard rotation there but Matt (Vogrich) has played so well. If Tim (Hardaway Jr.) is going to play well and Matt is going to shoot the ball well, Eso is kind of just waiting his turn and waiting his turn," Beilein said. "Today he got a good little turn in there.”

Beilein recognized Akunne’s contribution thus far. It was he -- not sophomore guard Darius Morris or Horford or Hardaway Jr. -- that led the singing of The Victors on top of a chair in the locker room after Michigan’s win.

Coming Home This game was more than just a good road test for Utah coach Jim Boylen. It was a trip home.

Boylen is from East Grand Rapids. His first coaching job was at Michigan State as a graduate assistant from 1987-89. The Spartans became his first full assistant coaching gig from 1989-92.

Michigan State was also his last assistant coaching gig from 2005-07 before he took over at Utah.

“It’s great,” Boylen said. “It’s a great trip for our team, a great learning process for our team.”

It was also a homecoming for two Utah players. Junior wing Will Clyburn, who had 11 points, is from Detroit and sophomore center Jason Washburn is from Battle Creek.

This and that Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez showed up at the game with recruits and the majority of his staff. The staff and recruits, except for defensive coordinator Greg Robinson, left at halftime. … For a period in the second half, Michigan’s scoreboard was malfunctioning and listed Michigan as both the home and visiting team. … Attendance was generously listed at 9,634.

Michael Rothstein covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.