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At some point, Larry Krystkowiak would like to see these numbers flipped: 18 turnovers, four assists.

In Utah's first loss of the season to No. 18 Butler on Monday night, the offensive execution was evidently under construction. Aside from the shooting issues (36.5 percent from the field, 15 percent from beyond the arc) that were so prevalent, Krystkowiak was most discouraged by the ball movement which both failed to set teammates up and went to Butler players too many times.

"I told our team I don't have any problem with getting beat," he said. "That's not what this is about, but I don't like to be a team that beats itself, and I kind of had that taste in my mouth after the game like we didn't give ourselves a fair chance to see what it was."

While Utah got a 21-point night from Kyle Kuzma and a 17-point night from Lorenzo Bonam, others had trouble getting open or otherwise knocking down open shots. Assists were rare: No one had more than one individually, and Bonam finished with one dish to six turnovers.

Last year's Utes team averaged 15.5 assists per game (second in the Pac-12) and had a 1.24 assist-to-turnover ratio (also second). Against Division I competition this year, the Utes are averaging 15.3 assists, but have also turned the ball over at least 13 times in all three games, and have a 1.06 assist-to-turnover ratio.

That is a reflection, Krystkowiak said, of the inexperience of his current group versus his last. He himself may take a second look at how the Utes are running offense.

"For a couple years, I let the people run a little bit because they had been around and they understood the system and wanted players to make plays," he said. "It's probably going to be something where I put our guys on railroad tracks a little bit and take a page back to our early days where, 'This is what we are running.' "

Added Krystkowiak: "Right now it seems like there is a little bit of uncertainty with what we are trying to do, and that starts with me. The clarity will start tomorrow in practice."

Collette/Barefield timeline

Krystkowiak has been saying for months that he's looking forward to a Hawaiian Christmas present when junior forward David Collette and sophomore guard Sedrick Barefield get eligible.

Turns out Christmas could come early.

While the Utes have been planning for Barefield and Collette to return before the Diamond Head Classic on Dec. 22, but finals are supposed to end on Dec. 16. Utah's game the next day is against Prairie View A&M at 4 p.m. If grades are posted by then, the Utes duo could make their first starts in crimson and white.

"It's things that are out of our control: We can't put any heat on our academic people," Krystkowiak said. "When the tests are taken and the grades are posted, hopefully those kids' classes are posted, and then, by definition, they're done with the semester, and they'll be eligible to play."

Barefield and Collette were two of the most productive players in Utah's intrasquad scrimmage, with Barefield notching a 13-point, 10-assist double-double, while Collette registered 16 points and four rebounds. If they can return for Utah's final non-conference home game, it would give them a chance for the team to adjust ahead of the Hawaii tournament.

If anything, the Butler game emphasized how much Utah could have used their presence.

"I think we all know that's kind of an elephant in the room," Krystkowiak said. "Without a doubt, Dave is our best low-post player, and I would say that Sedrick's about as explosive an offensive player that can put the points on the board, too. We need that, as you witnessed [Monday]."

Quick prep for the Bobcats

Utah has a three-day turnaround for an opponent that is familiar to Krystkowiak.

Up next is Montana State, the bitter rival of Krystkowiak's Montana program both as a player and a coach. The Bobcats are led by fourth-year head coach Brian Fish, a protege of Oregon coach Dana Altman — a team that has given Krystkowiak problems over the years. They average the third-most 3-pointers (11.4 per game) of any team in the country, and leading scorer Tyler Hall (22.7 ppg) is one of the most prolific shooters in the nation.

Krystkowiak said assistant Andy Hill has been doing the scout prep for the Bobcats. His own thoughts have been consumed by fixing his own team.

"They're running a lot of stuff that Oregon does," he said. "They've got a lot of nice players. But right now, my mind is on us."

Twitter: @kylegoon