Utes seek to bounce back in a matinee against Oregon State

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah played on both ends of the spectrum in its 78-72 loss to Oregon. The Utes built a pair of 14-point leads in the first half, but they wound up trailing 38-34 at halftime. Late in the game, they fell behind by 14 points.

"We can't play in spurts," said Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak, who noted that the Utes have had multiple games this season where they struggled to find consistent success throughout.

"Right now, I'd say we're a little bit streaky," Krystkowiak said. "When things are going well, it goes well, and, then when things don't go well, it lasts for long periods of time."

In Thursday's loss to the Ducks, the Utes wound up surrendering 29 points on 19 turnovers. Krystkowiak acknowledged that it's just impossible at any level, in any league, to win with those kind of numbers.

Krystkowiak, though, wasn't displeased with everything in the Oregon game.

"I'll take the first 14 minutes any time," he said. "I thought we were completely dialed in, playing extremely hard, rebounded the ball well, shot the ball well."

Even when things are clicking, Krystkowiak noted the importance of having a next-play mentality.

"Finding that consistency is going to be a big thing for our team," he said.

Senior guard Sedrick Barefield noted that Oregon's press allowed the Ducks to dictate the pace as Utah's four-game win streak came to an end. The veteran offered some advice to his younger teammates before leaving the Huntsman Center.

"We're still a great team," Barefield said. "And I feel like we can still have a lot of success as long as we continue to get better and stay hungry."

Krystkowiak admitted that the setback to Oregon "stings." Even so, there's little time to dwell on it. The Utes host Oregon State Saturday afternoon (3 p.m., P12N). The Beavers (13-7, 5-3)

"It's a different animal coming in here with Oregon State," said Krystkowiak, who added that the Beavers have a lot of veteran guys.

"I think it starts with Tres Tinkle and Stevie Thompson," he explained.

Tinkle, a junior forward, is averaging 20.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Thompson, a senior guard, comes in with averages of 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

However, Krystkowiak said, it's not like you can focus too much attention on those two. He added the Oregon State has a solid supporting cast. Sophomore guard Ethan Thompson is also posting good numbers with 13.6 points, 5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

Then there are other challenges.

"They do a good job of switching defenses," Krystkowiak said. "It's not going to be the pressure that we faced (against Oregon) — although it's a copycat league, so maybe Oregon State will do that."

Krystkowiak noted that the tempo Saturday is going to be different because the Beavers are high-powered offensively.

"They've got a lot of guys that can get some things done," he said. "So we've got to be dialed in from a defensive point of view and rebound and do all those little things again."

EXTRA STUFF: It's billed as the "Huntsman Strong" game. Krystkowiak and his wife, Jan, will match donations up to $100,000 to the Huntsman Cancer Institute prior to Saturday's tipoff. Contributions can be made in the concourse or online at https://hope.huntsmancancer.org/diy/UofUBB. … Utah leads the all-time series with Oregon State, 18-12. The Utes hold a 13-1 advantage at home. … Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle and Krystkowiak were collegiate teammates at Montana. Tinkle later served as an assistant coach under Krystkowiak at their alma mater. … Utah heads to USC and UCLA next week. The Utes' next home game after Saturday is Feb. 14 against Arizona.

Oregon State (13-7, 5-3) at Utah (11-9, 5-3)

• Huntsman Center
• Saturday, 3 p.m.
• TV: Pac-12 Networks
• Radio: ESPN 700AM

from Deseret News http://bit.ly/2UBdRO1