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Typically on a Friday, the Utes find themselves watching one team's tape more than any other.
As a travel partner, Colorado is probably the most-watched team in Utah's film sessions, by virtue of playing Utah's second weekly opponent in the previous game. While coach Larry Krystkowiak said when he's scouting an upcoming team, the other team on tape doesn't register in the same way. But the Utes and the Buffaloes are familiar with each other, going so far as to share tips on opponents during their road trips.
"We want each other to be successful," Krystkowiak said. "It's not stealing signals or anything like that, it's friendship and ideas in the coaching business. But it's interesting when you play each other, all bets are off."
Krystkowiak called Colorado coach Tad Boyle "my best friend in the league," and said the two staffs get along — but it does little to stem Colorado's hunger for a win over the Utes (17-10, 8-7 Pac-12), whom it has lost to six straight times.
Only three Buffaloes on the current roster have won the series with the Utes, which was once a back-and-forth tussle.
"It definitely gets to you a little bit," junior Dominique Collier told Colorado media on Tuesday. "We had two really close ones last year, then they kind of put it to us this year. We haven't beaten them in six games and I know none of us want to let them make it seven, especially on our home floor."
Games against Colorado (16-12, 6-9) are characteristically gritty: Last year, when Utah swept the series, neither team scored reached 60 points in either game. The Buffaloes have notched upsets over both Xavier and Oregon at home this season with rebounding, stingy defense and all-star performances from point guard Derrick White.
The Utes looked above Colorado's class in a 76-60 win over the Buffs on Jan. 1, as four Utes scored in double figures. But lately, the teams have been trending in opposite directions: In the past eight games, Colorado is 6-2, while the Utes are 3-5.
"Since I've been here, the biggest thing I know about Colorado is they're well-coached and they really take pride on the defensive end of the floor, and they take pride in rebounding," junior Kyle Kuzma said. "For the majority of the times we've played them, they've outrebounded us or they've been tougher than us."
It doesn't seem like an ideal time for Utah to test its mettle against a physical team. It has lost four straight on the road, and by Krystkowiak's own admission, "I don't know we're having a whole lot of fun."
Still, the Utes have tried to be pragmatic about their situation, starting the week tied for fifth in the Pac-12 standings and trying to finish in the upper half of the league. Krystkowiak said before Utah's Tuesday film session that he had 28 clips lined up from the Oregon State loss, all fixable.
"We're a young team, and we make mistakes — as veteran teams would, too," Kuzma said. "I think for the most part, everybody is probably over it. And they know we've still got basketball left to play."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Utah at Colorado
P At Coors Events Center, Boulder, Colo.
Tipoff • 9 p.m.
TV • ESPNU
Radio • ESPN 700 AM
Records • Utah (17-10, 8-7 Pac-12); Colorado (16-12, 6-9)
Series history • Colorado leads 26-20
Last meeting • Jan. 1, 2017 @ Utah; Utah 76, Colorado 60
About the Utes • Junior Kyle Kuzma has 15 double-doubles this season, which is tied for third in program history for most in a season. With one more, he can tie Jakob Poeltl's mark from last season. ... In their past eight contests, the Utes are averaging 15 turnover per game, and rank 11th in the league on the season (13.8 tpg.). ... The Utes have lost four straight road games.
About the Buffaloes • Senior Derrick White leads Colorado in points (16.8 ppg.), assists (4.1 apg.) and steals (1.3 spg.). ... Since starting 0-7 in Pac-12 play, the Buffs have gone 6-2 while reducing turnovers (13.9 to 11.9 tpg.) and doubling steals (3.6 to 7.5 spg.). ... Colorado has won four in a row at the Coors Events Center, and 19 of the past 22 at home.