This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Let's consider what the Utes are up against and what they have going for them in the first two rounds of their NCAA Tournament challenge here.

First thing — the venue: Advantage Utah.

It's not that the Pepsi Center itself provides any kind of edge for the Utes. It's a building not unlike others, sort of a run-of-the-mill, 17-year-old arena with typical amenities. But Denver's proximity to Salt Lake City is a big deal. As the red hawk flies, it's 371 miles. As the SUV drives, it's 520. Utah fans should have a strong showing, on account of convenience.

Nobody expects Fresno State, Thursday night's opponent, to bring an abundance of fans. The distance from Fresno to Denver is 828 miles by air, 1,141 by road. If Utah gets past the Bulldogs, next up is Seton Hall (1,763 miles) or Gonzaga (1,093 miles). The Pirates are from New Jersey. Don't figure them to draw a large crowd. The Zags, on the other hand, almost always travel well, including at the end of a season that has been less than scintillating for them.

Second thing — talent: Advantage Utah, though it's not a tomahawk dunk.

Fresno State has Marvelle Harris, a 6-foot-4 senior guard who has averaged 20.6 points, 4.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals this season. He's not the most efficient player, hitting just 40 percent of his field goals and 32 percent on triples. He is the Bulldogs' top threat, doubling up any of his teammates at the offensive end.

After Harris, the talent drops substantially.

The Utes feature future NBA lottery pick Jakob Poeltl, who, if he plays to his ability, should dominate. You know the rest of the names: Brandon Taylor and Jordan Loveridge, Kyle Kuzma and Lorenzo Bonam. They're straight better than what Fresno State has.

Seton Hall, in the next round, could present a problem, given its ability to defend, cause turnovers and get into transition. Isaiah Whitehead, a 6-4 point guard, led the Pirates to 12 wins in their final 14 games, including beating Xavier and Villanova in the Big East Tournament. During the regular season, Whitehead averaged 18 points and five assists, but he struggled from the field, shooting just 38.9 percent. In the conference tourney, though, Whitehead upped his average to 23 points and hit 43 percent. He drives effectively to the rim and can pop the 3. The kid from Brooklyn also demonstrated in the conference tournament a rugged, determined manner.

After one of those games, a difficult win over Creighton, Whitehead said of himself: "That's just Brooklyn toughness … that's just the Coney Island that came out of me." Seton Hall also has guard Khadeen Carrington, who scored a total of 50 points against Creighton and Xavier. Sophomore forward Angel Delgado was honorable mention All-Big East.

Despite a season that fell short of high expectations, due in part to injuries, Gonzaga still has Domantas Sabonis (17.4 points and 11.6 rebounds) and Kyle Wiltjer (20.7 points).

Third thing – momentum: Advantage … nobody.

The Utes had won nine straight, including wins over tournament teams USC and Cal in the Pac-12 Tournament, until getting thrashed by Oregon in the title game. Fresno State has won nine straight, including beating San Diego State in the MWC Tournament title game. Seton Hall, as mentioned, won 12 of its final 14 games, including those impressive wins over Xavier and Villanova, 2-seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Even Gonzaga has won five straight.

Fourth thing — coaching: Advantage Gonzaga.

As impressive as the job Larry Krystkowiak has done at Utah, it still nods to Mark Few, who has coached the Zags to the NCAA Tournament all 17 of his years as Gonzaga's head coach. He's taken the Bulldogs to the Sweet 16 five times and once to the Elite Eight.

Fifth thing — darling factor: Advantage Seton Hall.

It's hard to out-darling Gonzaga, one of the original charmers of the tournament. But the 'Dogs have been such a madness mainstay, they've boosted themselves straight out of the category. Playing in the Pac-12, and having made a run to the Sweet 16 last season disqualifies the Utes. Fresno State flat isn't good enough to be a darling — something that could drastically change if it proves that assessment wrong, at 3-seeded Utah's expense.

The Pirates, having won their first conference tournament in 23 years, now have an uncommon, unusual chance to win an NCAA Tournament game or two. It's been 12 years. Moreover, Bill Raftery and Dick Vitale are famous alums. That's qualification enough.

GORDON MONSON hosts "The Big Show" with Spence Checketts weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on 97.5 FM and 1280 AM The Zone. Twitter: @GordonMonson.