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Larry Krystkowiak was hard-pressed Thursday to find things to say about Stanford on Thursday, in the minutes after his Utah basketball team lost 60-46 to California in the Huntsman Center.
After all, the last time the Utes played Stanford, Jan. 12 in Palo Alto, Calif., they had a different point guard. They shot well from the field — not something they always do — but they were miserable from the free-throw line — a problem they seem to have solved.
The teams meet again Saturday in Utah's last home game of the season.
"I don't know if there's going to be a lot of comparisons," Krystkowiak said.
The Utes nearly won at Stanford, but Josh Watkins' 25-foot heave at the buzzer that would have forced overtime was off the mark. Watkins has since been kicked off the team.
Chris Hines scored a career-high 21 points in that game.
The Utes still have not won a road game — or any game for that matter since Jan. 21, when they beat Arizona State.
Stanford, meanwhile, has lost six of its past 10 games, but defeated conference contender Colorado 74-50 Thursday night in Boulder.
"I know they've got a lot of firepower," Krystkowiak said.
Stanford is led by forward Josh Owens, who averages 12.4 points and six rebounds per game, while guard Chasson Randle leads the team in scoring with 12.8 points.
Against the Utes in January, sophomore Josh Huestis was crucial in the Cardinal's win over Utah, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Twitter: @oramb —
Stanford at Utah
P At the Huntsman Center
Tipoff • 6:30 p.m. Saturday
Radio • 700 AM
Records • Utah 5-22 (2-13), Stanford (19-9, 9-7)
Series • Utah 14-8
Last meeting • Stanford, 68-65 (Jan. 12)
About the Utes • Utah tied its season-worst eight-game losing streak with a 60-46 loss to Cal on Saturday. … Jason Washburn leads the Utes with 10.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
About the Cardinal • Stanford became the first Pac-12 team to beat Colorado in Boulder on Thursday, winning 74-50.