Provo » Having probably blown their chance for a fourth-straight Mountain West Conference regular-season championship with Saturday's 83-81 loss to New Mexico, the No. 14 BYU Cougars turn their attention to archrival Utah on Wednesday night.

Aside from the usual in-state bragging rights and the chance to even the all-time series with the Utes (Utah leads 125-124), what is at stake for BYU in the 7 p.m. game at the Huntsman Center?

Plenty, coach Dave Rose and his Cougars said as they tried to put the weekend's devastating loss to the Lobos, and all the controversy that followed it, behind them. Namely, the 26-4 Cougars can't afford another stumble if they hope to land a decent seed for the NCAA Tournament, with most experts projecting a No. 4 or 5 seed now.

Regaining some momentum before next week's conference tournament is also huge, Rose said.

"Well I think that the next game, no matter who you are playing, is the challenge," Rose said. "With it being Utah, it makes for a lot more emotional and intense type of game. ... What I really hope is that we go up there and we really play hard, and we play with a good effort, and that our guys really really compete and play well. If we do, then it will be a good game."

The Cougars have won six of last seven matchups with Utah, the only loss in that stretch being Utah's 94-88 overtime win last year at the Huntsman Center.

Rose expects a different Utah team that lost 82-69 in Provo on Jan. 30.

"In the last month or so, they have become a lot more consistent offensive team, getting a lot of points from a lot of different players on a consistent basis," Rose said. "So I think our scouting report will be a lot more involved as far as trying to deal with a lot more individuals and their ability to score the ball."

BYU forward Noah Hartsock said the Cougars won't have a problem bouncing back emotionally after playing a pair of draining games last week while Utah was easily winning a pair.

"I mean, playing Utah, it is big-time. I have been in the [state] for about three years now, and I know it is an intense rivalry anytime Utah plays BYU. I think we are going to be excited, and I think Utah is going to be excited. So I think it is going to be a good game," Hartsock said.

Although they haven't drawn a crowd of more than 11,000 this season, the Utes are expecting a sellout, or close to 15,000, for the game.

Fredette should play

BYU guard Jimmer Fredette , who played only 16 minutes against New Mexico due to a stomach illness, practiced on Tuesday and is expected to play on Wednesday. The junior was still recovering from the illness on Monday and did not practice.

drew@sltrib.com