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Delon Wright isn't typically a patient guy ahead of his next game. Catch him on a given day, and he'd prefer to take on the competition then and there.
But this week, even the Runnin' Utes senior can appreciate the virtues of a long layover between games. A weekend of dealing with illness — even now, the Utes are a little unclear on what exactly plagued them — will cool anyone's heels.
"I'm back now; I'm good, but I was just feeling sick throughout the L.A. trip," Wright said. "Guys are aching with injuries and dealing with sickness, so it's good. Usually I wouldn't like the long week."
No. 13-ranked Utah has taken things a little easier before traveling to Colorado for Saturday night's game. Jakob Poeltl sprained his ankle. Kenneth Ogbe has been working in more minutes since missing a stretch with a groin injury.
A host of Utes were sick before, during and after last weekend's games — though Wright wouldn't dare use it as an excuse for the loss to UCLA.
"I think we just came out flat," Wright said. "We didn't have any energy. I guess when we beat [UCLA in January], we all knew we were going to beat them. That didn't happen this time."
There may be a kernel of truth to the idea that February starts a run of dog days for the Utes: They take trips to Colorado and Oregon this month, and home games include Stanford and Arizona. It won't be easy an easy schedule, and it comes at a time when a lot of teams start feeling the physical strain of the season.
Freshman Brekkott Chapman rolled his ankle against USC, but said he's OK to play on Saturday. But comparing how he feels now to how he felt at the start of the season? Well, it sure ain't high school.
"It's the point where it's taking a toll on your body," Chapman said. "It's just about pushing through that, keep on working. I'm getting into the treatment room, taking care of my body a little bit more."
The key for all the bumps and bruises is patience, trainer Trevor Jameson has told them. Utah's depth this year has allowed it to be a little more cautious when it comes to injury. No one is being rushed back to the court.
Ogbe acknowledged it was frustrating when he was dealing with his groin. He thought he could return after a week, but Jameson advised him to hang back. The sophomore guard ended up missing five games, but said he appreciates the slow-and-steady recovery in retrospect.
"The hard part was just the speed and the physicality," he said. "I just started listening to our trainer. He knows everything. Now I feel great."
With a little extra rest this week, the Utes hope they all suit up against the Buffs feeling a little better.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
No. 13 Utah at Colorado
P Friday, 8 p.m.
TV • Pac-12