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Denver • Let's just get to it.http://bit.ly/1MnZWA4";> You know the stakes.

Time, Place and [radio waves in] Space • Utah's first dance contest tips off at the Pepsi Center in Denver at 5:27 p.m. If you're not in person for the Madness, you can watch on truTV or listen on ESPN 700 AM with Jimmy and Bill. It's St. Patrick's Day, so wear green. It's National Basketball Day, so call in sick.

The Line • As of Thursday morning,http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-basketball/teams/team-page.cfm/team/utah";> Utah is favored by nine points according to Vegas Insider. The Utes are 16-15-1 against the spread this year, and are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games.

Pregame Quotable • After calling Fresno State senior guard Marvelle Harris "the head of the snake," coach Larry Krystkowiak asked a reporter who covers the team: "You've seen him play quite a bit. What's your suggestion for slowing him down?" The response: "Cross your fingers."

Opposing Coach • A longtime assistant who hopped all around the country, Rodney Terry finally landed his first head coaching job at Fresno State, where he's only just pulled ahead of .500 in five years thanks to the Bulldogs' late rally this season. The Texas native has gone from winning 3 conference games in his first year to 5, 9, 10, and finally 13 this year. Fresno State has only made the postseason one other time under Terry, getting to the CBI finals in 2014. This will be his first NCAA Tournament game as a head coach, although he got plenty of experience seeing what runs look like under former Texas coach Rick Barnes.

Telling Stat • Fresno State has earned fewer turnovers or equal turnovers to their opponent in 30 games this year, going 24-6 when that happens. When the Bulldogs actually cede a turnover advantage to their opponent, they are 1-3.

Bulldogs Roster Overview • This is Marvelle Harris' team. He averages more than twice as many points as anyone else (20.6 ppg), in part because he takes more than twice as many shots as anyone else. When he's allowed to drive, he's a dangerous finisher. He's less effective beyond the arc (32 percent), but has a knack for hitting big shots. Recently, he's gotten more effective at finding teammates (4.4 apg), and his teammates have been more effective at knocking things down. Talking to the Utes, several pointed to Julien Lewis, a senior transfer from Texas who can shoot from deep, as one of the other main threats on the squad. Cezar Guerrero and Jahmel Taylor have also been heating up from deep. They'll be looking for Cullen Russo, Karachi Edo and Terrell Carter II to try to hold in Jakob Poeltl, and Edo in particular has stepped up as a scorer. The one thing they do better than almost anyone is take care of the ball, ranking No. 12 nationally according to KenPom in turnover percentage (14.9). They turn opponents over 20.8 percent of the time, which amounts to a huge difference. It's also worth noting Fresno State's close-game mettle: They're 6-0 in one-possession games this year. Utah won't want to let it be close at the finish and give Harris a chance to push his way into March lore.

Behind Enemy Lines • The Fresno Bee's Robert Kuwada http://bit.ly/1XwLvja";>(who did a Q&A for the Tribune) writes about the http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/college/mountain-west/fresno-state/bulldogs-basketball/article66590657.html";>on-court challenges Utah poses for the Bulldogs.

Something's Gotta Give • How exactly does Utah guard Harris? He's a threat from just about anywhere on the floor, and can score near the basket, from midrange and from deep. While he doesn't have James Harden-level talent, he has a similar kind of game. The Utes will attempt to take away his right-side drives to the rim and probably force him out to the perimeter where he's less effective. There's a lot to think about for http://bit.ly/1PdggmY";>Brandon Taylor, Dakarai Tucker and whoever else is on him.

Fresno State's Edge • Utah is going to give up some turnovers. It's the nature of the team. Against a team that is one of the nation's best in steals, Utah's point guard play hasn't been consistently strong enough against pressure to prove that they can avoid this pitfall. Harris is of particular concern, averaging over two steals per game. The easiest baskets Fresno State will be able to get are in transition, so the Utes must be as careful as possible that the turnover margin doesn't run away from them.

Utah's Edge • C'mon now. There's not a 7-footer on Fresno State's roster. That means they're probably going to have to double http://bit.ly/1QVP2pw";>Jakob Poeltl, or otherwise use an extra man to avoid him getting the ball in the low post. If Poeltl does manage to get one-on-one match-ups, he has the potential to go off for big numbers. If he's doubled, that the opportunity for Kyle Kuzma or Utah's 3-point shooters to come alive.

Injury Watch • Lorenzo Bonam played last week through a knee tweak of some kind, but said he's been better since getting rehabbed. Fresno State's best big man scorer, Torren Jones, has been sitting out for 12 straight games with an unspecified medical issue, but of course the Bulldogs have won without him.

Watch Out For • You ask for bellwethers? I give you two: Lorenzo Bonam and Kyle Kuzma. When these guys light it up, Utah's offense comes alive. For Bonam, his slashing ability gives Utah's attack a unique dimension that's tough to guard. Against USC, 14 points. http://bit.ly/22aKSz3";>Against Cal, 18 points. Against Oregon? 2 points. He needs to be a force for the Utes to get them through a few rounds of the tournament. So will Kuzma, http://bit.ly/21lRg49";>who was red hot against the Trojans, but then had trouble establishing himself against Cal and Oregon. Particularly if Poeltl is double-teamed, Kuzma can be the threat that keeps Fresno State's heads spinning on defense.

It's March. Suit up.

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon