Utes asking for fan blackout in Pac-12 home opener

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Huntsman Center will be blacked out for the Runnin' Utes' (3-10, 0-1) first-ever Pac-12 home game Thursday night, when they take on Washington State (9-5, 1-1) in search for their first conference win as a member of the Pac-12.

The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and feature the 16th meeting between the two programs. Utah has won 13 of the previous 15 and 10-of-11 at home, winning the latest match-up by the score of 69-55 back in 2006. Thursday's game will be the only meeting between the two schools this season, Washington State being one of four Pac-12 teams the Utes will only play once—Washington, UCLA, and USC being the other three.

Josh Watkins, of Utah, puts up a shot under defense from Dejan Kostur, of ISU, left, and Kenny McGowen, of ISU, right, as the University of Utah faces Idaho State University in men's basketball in Salt Lake City, Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. (Ravell Call, Deseret News)

Senior guard Josh Watkins leads the Utes with 15.1 points per game with three rebounds and 5.1 assists. Coming off his worst outing of the season where he hit just 1-of-12 for four points, Watkins has fallen from second to fifth in the Pac-12 in points per game, though he still ranks second in assists.

Junior center Jason Washburn ranks fifth in the Pac-12 for rebounds per game at 7.1 to go with his 11.2 points. Washburn also ranks fifth in the conference in field goal percentage at 60.4 percent, and eighth in free throw percentage at 79.5.

Junior guard Chris Hines was recently diagnosed with a broken thumb after playing several games with the injury. He missed the game at Colorado but is expected to see limited time against Washington State. Freshman guard Anthony Odunsi will likely make his second-straight start in Hines' place.

Hines ranks in the top-10 in the Pac-12 for 3-pointers made per game, so his teammates will have to compensate for his missed production if he is not at full strength.

"Guys got to be ready to come off the bench and give us that spark," Odunsi said.

Odunsi has struggled at times during his freshman season, but looks to continue to improve as he steps up to fill in for Hines.

"I’m taking my ups and downs," he said, saying he specifically hopes to improve on the defensive end. "And I think that if I just stay positive, things will come around."

The Utes will be looking to end a two-game slide well before it matches their eight-game losing streak from earlier in the season.

Washington State kicked off its Pac-12 conference play with a 92-75 loss to Oregon and an 81-76 victory over Oregon State, both games at home.

The Cougars went 8-4 in nonconference play, winning their final six games, five of those by double-digit margins, after starting out the season losing four of their first six.

Utah guard Kareem Storey (5) is fouled by Cal State Fullerton guard Kwame Vaughn (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Salt Lake City, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. (AP Photo/Colin E Braley)

"They’re a big, physical team," said Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak. "Pretty good balance, there’s almost four guys in double figures. I’m really impressed with the Australian post kid, (junior forward Brock Motum), the lefty that had 26 last game, and they have a freshman wing who’s playing really well. We will have our hands full."

Motum leads Washington State with 14.9 points and 6.4 boards per game. The 6-foot-10 Australian does damage in the paint as well as stretches the floor with the ability to hit the 3-ball, shooting 36 percent from long range on the year.

"It’s going to have to be a little bit of a team element," Krystkowiak said on his plans to contain Motum. "We have a few different plans along the way. He does a really good job of sealing in the post, kind of doing his work and almost scoring before he touches the ball. We talk to our guys, ‘you got to do your work early defensively and not be reacting all the time, but be kind of one step ahead. You just have to be locked into stopping him.'"

Junior guard Faisal Aden scores 13 per game and freshman guard DeVonte Lacy adds 10.6, with junior guard Reggie Moore scoring 9.1 points to go with a conference-leading 5.6 assists per game.

The blackout will stream live on utahutes.com and can be heard on radio at 700 AM.

"It’s a big deal," Odunsi said. "It’s going to be a blackout, so it’ll be exciting to see."