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With each win, with each step, a team expects to get somewhere. But even as the Runnin' Utes (17-5, 6-3) improve their record, they can't seem to get out of the deadlock they find themselves in.
Last week the Utes were in a six-way tie for third place, one game out of first. After a home sweep, the Utes are now in a four-way tie for second place, one game out of first.
Coach Larry Krystkowiak isn't really in position to complain about his team's position — the Utes have won five straight. But ahead of a critical road trip in Oregon, Krystkowiak said the four teams — USC, Washington and Colorado in addition to the Utes — have at least one thing in common: They'd like to be in first.
Preferably, on their own.
"I'm not sure anybody in this league is satisfied with where they are," he said. "Oregon, with a couple of big road wins, has really put themselves in the driver's seat, but the logjam at 6-3 all the way down — I think we're just trying to improve our teams."
A telling fact about the Pac-12's competitiveness: Of the two ranked conference teams in this week's AP poll, No. 18 Oregon and No. 23 Arizona, the Wildcats are in sixth place (5-4).
Utah's first challenge comes Thursday against Oregon State (12-8, 3-6), a team the Utes needed to rally from 14 points down to beat (with help from one of the most unusual tripping plays in recent memory). That was in Salt Lake City, where the Utes are 11-1 this season.
Dating to last season, the Beavers are 25-5 at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Ore. Only two teams beat them there last year, one of which was … Utah. It was a 47-37 win for the Utes — and the offense was as ugly as the final score.
Krystkowiak expects another tough one against his former Montana teammate and assistant, OSU coach Wayne Tinkle.
"As I look at their team, I think the old adage about the apple not falling far from the tree," he said. "We both played for the same coaches growing up, and I think we were taught in college what we both feel like is the right way to play basketball. When I look at their team — offensively, defensively — I think we probably coach on the same principles."
'No timeline' for Ogbe
After 14 straight missed games, junior guard Kenneth Ogbe's "did not play" boxscore lines are beginning to blur into each other.
Krystkowiak said the Utes aren't necessarily targeting a medical redshirt for the hard-luck German, but the prognosis doesn't sound overwhelmingly positive, either.
"As is the case most times with injuries, I don't get too involved with it," he said. "Just monitor his progress through our training staff, and he's not doing a whole lot better. There's no targets on what the long-term plan is."
Krystkowiak said Ogbe is assessed on a weekly basis on his injury, which is believed to be a hip/groin ailment that has nagged him for the better part of two years. He's played in only 22 games in his sophomore and junior seasons.
"Not to be callous or cold with the Kenneth situation, but the fact of the matter is we're trying to keep our hands around what we have, and who we have available," he said. "We hope he can get better, but beyond that, I haven't thought a whole lot about it."
Ute great Miller pays a visit
Last Friday afternoon, Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Andre Miller swung by his old haunt at the Huntsman Center to take in a Runnin' Utes practice — an environment where he is always welcome.
Although he didn't play that night in a 103-90 loss to the Utah Jazz, the former Utah All-American and Crimson Club Hall of Famer is still playing in the NBA at age 39. Beyond simply being impressed by Miller still being "real young at heart," Krystkowiak said Miller's presence within the program is greatly valued.
"The fondness he has for this program, and he's still willing to help us get it going, keep it going — he's just a gem," he said. "And he's one of those special guys we talk about with the program being kind of a three-part: the past, the present, the future. And he's as involved as anybody from that past phase. And the fact that he's still having success, it's cool for our players to know that he's coming out watching, and then go watch him that night play against the Jazz. Very unique."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Utah at Oregon State
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