Utah Utes basketball notebook: Runnin' Utes still set on finishing strong

SALT LAKE CITY — Despite coming up short in last week's road games at Arizona State and Arizona, the Utah Utes insist they're more motivated than frustrated.

"It's definitely motivating knowing that we can compete with those type of teams," guard Kareem Storey said while noting that progress is being made.

The confident freshman added that the Utes are doing some positive things and developing chemistry along the way.

"People can see what we're capable of," said junior forward Cedric Martin.

However, at 5-20 overall and 2-11 in Pac-12 play, potential has yet to overshadow reality.

Utah's margin of error is wafer thin.

"We're a mistake away, we're a possession away, from getting the wins in those close games," Storey said. "So we've just got to come in here and work hard as a team to correct that, so that we can get forward in the future."

Such advancement won't be easy, especially for a team on a six-game skid.

All of Utah's remaining regular-season opponents have winning records — Colorado (17-8), Stanford (17-8), California (20-6), Oregon State (15-10) and Oregon (18-7).

After playing well at Arizona, though, the Utes are a bit energized. Storey said the whole mentality is getting better and the team is showing a lot of fight on the court.

"If we just keep working hard, the sky is the limit for us," Storey said. "I feel like we're getting a lot better."

As the season winds down, there's a determination to build momentum for next season when the roster is replenished.

"We just want to keep getting better," Storey said. "We've still got a ways to go but I think we're going at a real good pace."

The pace, he explained, is dedication without days off.

"That's how we're going to get it," Storey said.

NOTEBOOK: Head coach Larry Krystkowiak and some of the players are scheduled to take pledges at the Primary Children's KSL Radiothon Thursday, beginning at 11 a.m. … This is Utah's last week of the season with only one game to play. The two weeks that precede the Pac-12 tournament in Los Angeles include games Thursday and Saturday. … It's "Alumni Weekend" with all former Runnin' Utes invited back for a Friday night social and Saturday's game.

Utes on the air

Colorado (17-8, 9-4 Pac-12) at Utah (5-20, 2-11)

Saturday, 3 p.m. MT

Huntsman Center

TV: ROOT Radio: 700 AM

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