Utes face tough environment in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. — Utah has already played six Pac-12 road games.

None, however, compare to the environment the Utes will see Saturday in Arizona's iconic McKale Center.

The Wildcats draw an average of 13,785 fans per game, 1,523 fans more than the combined attendance of Utah's last three conference games on the road — UCLA (4,434), USC (2,826) and Arizona State (5,002).

The Utes' three other Pac-12 trips — California (7,457), Colorado (6,491) and Stanford (4,981) — pale in comparison as well.

Arizona's home court is, obviously, a special place for the Wildcats.

"I know numbers-wise and tradition-wise it's a pretty daunting challenge for us," said Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak. "But it's fun. You always want to play on a stage like that. It should be a fun afternoon."

On the other hand, it's not exactly what the doctor ordered for a Utah team that has lost 14 consecutive games away from the Huntsman Center over the past two seasons. It's been almost a year since the Utes prevailed outside of Salt Lake City.

Although Arizona offers a tough venue, Utah center Jason Washburn is excited about the opportunity. The Wildcats are 11-3 in Tucson this season.

"They're going to be real tough tomorrow on their home floor and it's hard not to get lost in the glamour of being in this place," Washburn said. "Obviously the crowd is going to be amazing tomorrow. But we've really got to focus up and prepare ourselves well if we want to win."

The McKale Center, he noted, is a premier place.

Even so, the Utes are determined to end their lengthy skid away from home. Washburn said Thursday's 57-52 loss at Arizona State provided a much-needed confidence boost on the road.

"Obviously a loss is a loss and there's no way to sugarcoat that," he explained. "But we thought we fought real hard right up to the very end."

The Utes were within two points of the Sun Devils with under one minute to play. Being competitive on the road has proven to be a process and progress is being made.

On Friday, Utah practiced at the Richard Jefferson Gymnasium adjacent to the McKale Center. Krystkowiak said the Utes watched video of some defensive breakdowns, blockouts and rotations. They also ran through their man offense in preparing for Arizona.