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Josh Watkins believes that the Utes might have won a game somewhere along the line this season had they played with the intensity they had in Saturday's 61-42 loss to Brigham Young.
The Utah point guard also believes the Utes have figured out how to play with that energy moving forward.
So, for the 1-8 Utes, Friday's home game against 2-7 Idaho State seems a convenient matchup. The Bengals are likely the worst team remaining on the Utes' schedule, ranked 285th by the Sagarin Ratings, which factor strength of schedule. Idaho State's two wins have come against Colorado Christian and North Dakota, while the team has lost to programs such as Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Both the Bengals and Utes lost to Boise State by more than 20 points.
The Utes, after losing to BYU, dropped to No. 330 in the Sagarin Ratings, 15 spots from the bottom.
Despite suffering their eighth loss and having not beaten an NCAA team, the Utes were encouraged after the game against BYU. They played with a previously unseen commitment to defense, which first-year coach Larry Krystkowiak praised.
It has been the biggest focus for the Utes in the early season.
Their offense, though, has emerged as just as big of a problem. The Utes can't score. Or more to the point, they can't make baskets.
Against BYU, the Utes were held to just 26 percent shooting, their third straight game under 35 percent.
"We just worry about defense a lot," Watkins said. "Offense will come — the only thing we can do now is work at it and we'll get better at it."
The game against Idaho State may be the final time the Utes could actually be favored against an opponent, although Sagarin predicts any line would favor the Bengals by about a point.
Hines' ward • Injuries continue to stack up for junior starting guard Chris Hines. First, he missed time this year with injured ribs; in his return against Montana State, he hurt his elbow.
Add a broken thumb to the list.
Hines is listed as day-to-day after sitting out most of practice Tuesday with an injury when he was hit on his first shot of the game against BYU. He is questionable for Friday's game against Idaho State, but he was able to participate in shooting and conditioning drills Tuesday.
Hines did not score against the Cougars, finishing 0-of-4 from the field and missing each of his three 3-point attempts.
Hines had scored in double figures for three games before playing BYU. He averages a career-best 8.8 points per game.
Twitter: @oramb —
Idaho State at Utah
P Friday, 7 p.m.