Utah @ Colorado preview

Utah at Colorado

Last Meeting ( Jan 20, 2019 ) Colorado 69, Utah 78

Utah currently has what Colorado craves: A top-four spot in the Pac-12 standings which would translate into a first-round bye in the conference tournament. So at two games back of Runnin’ Utes with three to play, the Buffaloes know it’s must-win time Saturday when they play host to Utah in Boulder.

At 9-6 in the Pac-12, Utah is tied for third – a half-game ahead of UCLA – with Colorado tied for ninth in the log-jammed middle of the conference at 7-8. The Buffs (16-11 overall) and Utes (15-12) also are among the host of Pac-12 teams looking to strengthen their NIT resumes with more than one NCAA Tournament at-large bid highly unlikely in a down season for the conference. “We’ve put ourselves (in a position) where every game, every time we step on the floor, means something,” Colorado coach Tad Boyle said after his team’s practice Wednesday. “I told our team there are two kinds of teams this time of year. There are teams who are preparing for the postseason, and there are teams preparing for spring break. I asked them which group we’re in. They answered (with) the right one, but it’s one thing to say that. You have to come out and play that way.”

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT UTAH (15-12, 9-6 Pac-12): The Utes snapped out of a two-game losing skid and overcame their own slow start and a late surge by the home team to win 92-79 at Washington State last Saturday. Senior guard Sedrick Barefield connected on 10-of-19 shots in scoring a game-high 33 points and leads the team in scoring with 16.7 per game. Forwards Timmy Allen (11.8 points) and Donnie Tillman (10.0) also are averaging double figures for Utah, which is tied for the field-goal percentage (46.9) lead in the Pac-12 and ranks second with a 38-percent mark from 3-point range.

ABOUT COLORADO (16-11, 7-8): The Buffs were riding high as they carried a five-game win streak into last week’s trip to Washington state but wound up losing to both the Cougars (76-74) and first-place Huskies (64-55) to fall back below .500 in Pac-12 play. Leading scorer McKinley Wright (13.2) was held to four points in the loss to Washington and will be looking to get back on track against a Utah team he missed the first time around (a 78-69 Colorado road loss on Jan. 20) due to a shoulder injury. Swingman Tyler Bey (12.6 points), forward Lucas Siewert (10.6) and guard Shane Gatling (10.3) also are averaging double figures for Colorado, which plays its final three games at home.

TIP-INS

1. With the Jan. 20 win, Utah has won nine of its last 10 against Colorado, with the Buffs’ lone victory in that span a 67-55 win last season in Boulder.

2. The Utes are tied with Washington for the Pac-12’s best road record this season at 6-2 in conference play.

3. Both teams have been strong on the glass with Colorado pacing the Pac-12 with a 5.5 average rebounding margin and Utah ranking fourth at 3.1.

PREDICTION: Colorado 76, Utah 71