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Looking ahead hasn't been much of a problem for the No. 13-ranked Utes this season, so it would be a surprise to see issues crop up this weekend.

There's still something to play for: The Utes have a No. 2 seed and second place in the regular season on the line this week. Oregon already prevailed in its last test against Oregon State, so only a 2-0 record assures the Utes runner-up position in the Pac-12 tournament, essentially a 3-hour head start on the Ducks should both teams reach the semifinals on Friday.

That … and Utah is aiming for its first-ever Pac-12 road sweep. It seems almost incredible to remember that they've split every two-game conference road trip this year, but it's true. Washington has looked lifeless in recent weeks and essentially has been a shell of itself since losing Robert Upshaw. But the Cougars are scrappy and tough, if nothing else. They've known they're in rebuilding mode, so they're used to playing for pride and with an eye toward future progress.

This could be a Pac-12 tournament preview, depending on how the bottom seeds shake out. Washington State is in the 8-9-10-11 mix with ASU, Colorado and the Huskies, and if they're a 10 after the weekend and Utah is a 2, the teams could meet again next Thursday assuming the Cougars can break through their first-round opponent. Keep that in mind as these teams go at it — maybe the best punches will be saved, in one sense.

Previewing the game:

Time, Place and [Radio Waves in] Space • The first game of Utah's last Pac-12 road trip of the season tips off at 9 p.m. MT in Pullman at the Beasley Center on ESPNU. If you don't get ESPNU in your package, you can listen in with Bill and Jimmy on ESPN 700 AM.

Last Time Out • Utah was sans Jakob Poeltl, who was recovering from an ankle injury, but the guards picked it up in his absence. Delon Wright and Brandon Taylor scorched the Cougars for a combined 35 points, 15 assists, 5 steals and zero turnovers. The Utes had only four turnovers for the game in the 86-64 victory, which stands to date as one of their most brutally efficient wins in conference play.

Telling Stat • The Cougars aren't going to finish the year with a winning record, but they've recorded valuable experience in close games: Wazzu has played 10 games that have finished with a margin of five points or less, and somewhat surprisingly are 7-3 in those games. When they keep it close, the Cougs have a puncher's chance.

Pregame quotable • We're giving this one to "good old Dr. Seuss," who apparently is Larry Krystkowiak's muse for the week: "You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes," he read. "You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own and you know what you know, and you are the one who'll decide where you'll go."

Cougars roster overview • You could call it a good inside-outside combo, but that's not exactly precise. DaVonte Lacy is now Washington State's all-time leader in 3-pointers after surpassing Klay Thompson over the weekend, but he's also very adept at getting to the line. Josh Hawkinson also gets to the line, but he's valuable as one of the true double-double guys in the league. Between them, Hawkinson and Lacy account for 45 percent of Wazzu's points. After those stars, the depth takes a hit: Ike Iroegbu, Jordan Railey and Dexter Kernich-Drew are decent but not great role players who put in a couple points per game. Ernie Kent has his Cougars running one of the fastest paces in the league, and it's not always a great strategy: Wazzu is No. 9 in the Pac-12 in FG percentage (43.2 percent), No. 8 in offensive points per possession (1.009) and No. 8 in turnover rate (17.1 percent). Shield your eyes from their defense, which is dead last in the conference in most categories. They aren't a good rebounding team, either.

Something's Gotta Give • The Utes couldn't sneeze without a whistle against Arizona last week, but actually they're pretty good at keeping opponents off the line despite a well-earned reputation as hard-nosed, shot-blocking defense. With a Pac-12 best 16.8 fouls per game, Utah uses its size without being overaggressive in most games. Will that hold up against Lacy, No. 2 in the league in free throw attempts, or Hawkinson, No. 16? Utah can't let Wazzu thrive at the free throw line.

Washington State's Edge • It's worth wondering if Senior Weekend gives the Cougars a boost. Lacy is one of the all-time greats in WSU history, and though it's not his last home game, he's got to be sensing the end approaching. Add in Kernich-Drew and Railey, and there are some seniors who want to go out on a high note dotting the roster. Washington State trails the rest of the league in home attendance with 3,212 fans per game, but maybe some more will be out with a ranked program in the house.

Utah's Edge • Without having to face Jakob Poeltl, the Cougs were beaten by 22 and allowed Utah to shoot 20 for 36. Now that Utah has him? That'll be tricky. Utah's front court was underwhelming in the first meeting, picked up by Wright and Taylor's stellar play and nine 3-pointers. Krystkowiak called out all his big men after the Arizona loss, saying they need to step up and he might tinker with Dallin Bachynski in a double 7-footer lineup. If the bigs come out motivated, it could be tough going for Hawkinson and Railey, who got in some foul trouble last time.

Watch Out For • Kent can't be pleased that his team has to face Utah coming off losses to Arizona twice this year. The Utes have a history of pummeling the next opponent after a loss — see: Wazzu Part I; USC; Arizona State. Utah's average margin of victory following a loss is 30.2 points per game, and no game has been closer than the 59-46 win against UNLV. Ouch.

Twitter: @kylegoon