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A last-second layup was all that stood between Utah and an 0-3 start in Pac-12 play.
This time, when the No. 13 Utes take on Colorado almost two months later, Utah (23-7, 12-5) is in a much stronger position. The Buffaloes (21-9, 10-7) can't take away their top-four finish in conference play, nor their Pac-12 Tournament bye in the regular-season finale.
But any picture that involves Utah winning a share of the Pac-12 regular season title with Oregon (and possibly Cal) must include the Utes winning Saturday night. Add that to an emotional final home game for seniors and probably sophomore center Jakob Poeltl, and while the Utes aren't as desperate to win as they once were, winning still means a lot.
"There's still a lot of meat on the bone, even for our seniors," coach Larry Krystkowiak said. "I don't think any of us are really into the glitz and the glamour and the show and the hoopla involving [Senior Night]. I think it's necessary and everybody understands that, but getting the 'W' is far more important."
It was critical on Jan. 8, when the Utes came into the Coors Events Center after getting smacked by Stanford and Cal. Needing a win in the worst way, the Utes got it in a defense-oriented battle with the Buffs when junior guard Lorenzo Bonam hit a layup with 1.1 seconds left while leading the team with 17 points to secure the 56-54 win.
While the shot was memorable, the defense was what won the game: Colorado had only one basket in its final five shots, while shooting only 38 percent for the evening. Symbolically, Utah's last basket came off a Colorado turnover.
In the end, Utah was the only team to mar CU's 16-1 home record. Colorado coach Tad Boyle told the Boulder Daily Camera that he wasn't looking for "revenge," but hoped to "return the favor."
There's also historical motivation for Colorado, which is looking to become the first team in program history to reach 22 wins in the regular season.
One of the featured battles this weekend will be Poeltl versus senior forward Josh Scott. The two have eerily similar point, rebound, assist and block production, and are possibly the top two big men in the conference. Last time out, the matchup was characterized by defense and rebounding: The duo combined for just 16 points on 7-for-20 shooting, but both got double-digit numbers on the glass.
"There's a lot of pride from an individual matchup point of view," Krystkowiak said. "Jakob has to be better."
Utah has protected its home court ruthlessly this season. The Utes have won their past seven at the Huntsman Center and have a 15-1 home record. The team's scoring margin in Pac-12 home games is plus-13.6 despite an 18-point loss to Oregon to open Pac-12 play. Arizona was the latest to fall at the Huntsman Center, which featured one of the loudest crowds in recent memory cheering Utah on.
The upcoming contest figures to be emotional, as the Utes honor seniors Austin Eastman, Jordan Loveridge, Brandon Taylor and Dakarai Tucker, as well as Jeremy Olsen, who retired last spring. It's the first class that Krystkowiak had a full year to recruit, and one that helped turn Utah from Pac-12 bottom-feeder into angling for their second straight NCAA Tournament run.
Krystkowiak also said it was "safe" to assume Poeltl, who is widely expected to be an NBA Draft lottery pick this summer, won't be back with the Utes next season.
Krystkowiak said he won't say much ahead of time about the emotion of Senior Night. Loveridge said he doesn't much want to talk about it either. He's focused on trying to make the first opponent they beat in Pac-12 play also the last one they'll beat in the regular season.
"We'll try to treat it like the rest of the games," Loveridge said. "We want to get another win."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Colorado at No. 13 Utah
P Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
TV • ESPNU