Utah Utes basketball: Utes hope to make it 10-0 vs. Oregon St. at home

SALT LAKE CITY — For 38 consecutive seasons, the Utah Utes have posted a winning record in the Huntsman Center.

It's a place, obviously, where they're very comfortable.

This season is no different. Although the Utes have won just five games, all have come on their home court — including Pac-12 victories over Washington State and Arizona State.

"Our effort is night and day playing in this arena," acknowledged Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak. "I think it's good for our guys. The fans have showed up and supported us, which has been terrific."

They'll get another chance to do so Saturday afternoon when the Utes (5-17, 2-8) host Oregon State (14-8, 4-6).

A win would even Utah's record at home this season to 6-6. The Utes fell below .500 up on the hill with a 79-68 loss to Oregon on Thursday.

"It was a tough ballgame for us," said Ducks coach Dana Altman. "Utah has played awfully well at home in conference."

Although the Utes' 2-3 conference home record includes a 26-point setback to Arizona, it pales in comparison to lopsided road losses to Colorado (73-33), California (81-45) and UCLA (76-49).

Utah's point differential is minus-3.6 in five Pac-12 home games and minus-24.6 in an equal number of road contests.

"Good teams are able to win on the road and right now we're not a good team," Krystkowiak said.

Even so, he's "having a heckuva good time" coaching the Utes because they're the essence of a team trying to work together on offensive and defensive facets.

Progress is being made, at least at home.

"It's fun. We're laying it on the line and everybody's engaged and following the game plan," Krystkowiak said. "But good teams go on the road and are able to be disciplined and usually involve a deep bench. We're just not at the point where we're ultra-competitive. I think we get down when we're on the road."

Before venturing out to Arizona State and Arizona next week, the Utes get a chance to do so on a successful note. They'll face an Oregon State team coming off an 82-60 setback at Colorado on Thursday.

"I've watched them a lot," Krystkowiak said. "They're super-athletic, probably the most athletic team in the league."