Utah @ Washington St. preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 21, 2018 ) Washington St. 69, Utah 82

Dismissed by most experts after opening Pac-12 play with a 2-4 record, Utah’s now finds itself in the top tier of a tight conference race. Winners of three straight, Utah sits one game out of second place heading into Saturday’s matchup against Washington State, which snapped a seven-game losing streak with Thursday’s 73-69 win over Colorado.

After allowing an average of 51.5 points in back-to-back wins over Stanford and California, the Utes rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to post a 70-58 victory over Washington on Thursday. Senior forward David Collette scored a game-high 22 points in the win and has averaged 17.6 points during the win streak to lead Utah, which was picked to finish seventh in the Pac-12 preseason poll. “The message to our team is there are rare times in life that you’re presented an opportunity to do something special,” coach Larry Krystkowiak told reporters. “We’re kind of at that precipice right now. It’s not time for a lot of talk, it's time for action.” The Utes need to be careful not to overlook a Washington State squad that averages a league-best 11.1 made 3-pointers per game.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT UTAH (16-9, 8-6 Pac-12): All five starters scored in double figures in the win over Washington, including senior forward Tyler Rawson, who filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. The team’s veteran backcourt features guards Justin Bibbins (team-high 13.8 points per game) and Sedrick Barefield, who is averaging 14.9 points over the last seven games. Krystkowiak has received a welcome spark in recent weeks from freshman forward Donnie Tillman, averaging 6.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in league play.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (10-15, 2-11): Sophomore guard Malachi Flynn scored a career-high 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting in the win over Colorado as the Cougars improved to 11th place in the league standings. The Tacoma native has averaged 15.0 points in three career games against Utah, including 19 in last month’s 82-69 loss in Salt Lake City. Forward Robert Franks, the team’s leading scorer at 17.8 points per game, returned after missing one game with a knee injury and finished with 14 points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes against the Buffaloes.

TIP-INS

1. Utah has won the last eight meetings against Washington State and holds a 22-4 lead in the all-time series.

2. Washington State is averaging 40.2 points per game this season in the second half, compared to 32.4 in the first.

3. Utah is 14-1 when leading at the half.

PREDICTION: Utah 83, Washington State 72