Now, they're about to celebrate the end of the journey.

Bryant, Grant and fellow senior Sayre Brennan will be honored before playing their final home game tonight, when the 15-12 Utes try to snap a season-worst four-game losing streak against last-place Colorado State at the Huntsman Center.

"It's sad to see it all come to an end, that it's my last home game," Grant said. "All good things come to an end, though, right?"

Funny, that's exactly what Bryant said.

Yet the outgoing seniors have endured far more difficulties than triumphs. Grant was the only one who played on the Sweet 16 team three years ago, while Bryant was still redshirting and Brennan was a year away from joining the program as a walk-on.

Since then, the Utes have struggled, slumping to their worst season in 23 years last season and replacing coach Ray Giacoletti. Even this season has turned into a grind under new coach Jim Boylen, as the Utes seek to avoid a devastating collapse by taking advantage of a team riding a 15-game losing streak.

Nearing the end of his career is "bittersweet," Bryant said, recalling the fond memory of his first game and the rivalry with Brigham Young. "But it's time to move on, and hopefully I'll pave the way for somebody else to come in and play well."

Though he's all but certain to finish his college career with a losing record - the Utes are 40-46 the last three years - Bryant is on pace to leave the team as one of its top 20 career scorers and the most accurate three-point shooter in school history. He's hitting 44.3 percent for his career from long range, ahead of Marc Jackson's 43.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Grant is preparing to depart after an unorthodox career.

The former East High standout walked on because he feared he would regret not trying, and wound up earning a scholarship and becoming a part-time starter before returning to a mop-up role at the end of the bench this season. He has played only 10 games this season, while Brennan has played the only nine games of his two-year career.

"I'll just always be thankful," Grant said. "I've learned things from basketball that I couldn't have learned in any other arena. . . . It's just added a whole chapter to my life."

mcl@sltrib.com

Utah vs. Colorado State

At the Huntsman Center

Tipoff: 7 p.m.

TV: The mtn.

Radio: 700 AM

Records: Utah 15-12 (6-8 Mountain West), Colorado State 6-22 (0-14 Mountain West)

Series: Utah leads, 97-42

Last meeting: Utah 67, Colorado State 52 (Feb. 2, 2008)

Line: Utah by 17 1/2