SALT LAKE CITY — The Runnin' Utes rebounded from a two-game skid and got two nice wins in conference play against the USC Trojans and the No. 25 UCLA Bruins last week, steering the figurative ship back into more comfortable waters.

And although the wins were nice for an emerging program, it's just two steps forward in the right direction; the Utes still have difficult waters to clear before accomplishing what it hopes to obtain, particularly with a difficult schedule the next two weeks looming overhead.

"I think our guys were a little bit embarrassed with how hard it was for the Washington trip," head coach Larry Krystkowiak said after his team got a dominant 84-66 win over the Trojans Thursday. "The guys have a lot of pride. They put in a little bit of time on their own. We had a positive sense of urgency when we were running our offense.

"It's been a struggle for us; it's not the way you script it — the number of close games we've had," he added. "There's still an awful lot of basketball left."

However, for the program to take its next big step it has to win on the road, and soon. Utah has yet to win a game on the road this season, losing to Boise State by 2 points early in the year, and then falling short to Washington and Washington State by a combined 5 points two weeks ago.

Related:

Delon Wright named Pac-12 Player of the Week

University of Utah junior guard Delon Wright was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week following his strong performance last week.

"If we're going to be successful and start reaching some of our goals that we want to reach we've got to start winning on the road," Krystkowiak said. "I like where we're going. It's always nice when you can learn a lesson and not lose a game. I think we've learned some lessons in some of these close games, but it's not good medicine. We obviously need to work against some pressure."

"It's not like we don't like going on the road, we do," sophomore Jordan Loveridge said. "It's just going into a new environment, you've just got to find your stroke. I feel like if we play defense like we did at Washington we'll be fine."

The upcoming three-game road trip will be the biggest indicator of where the program is headed, not just for the remainder of the season but for the future of the program and its potential to be competitive in the Pac-12.

There's little doubt the Runnin' Utes have improved since Krystkowiak was named head coach, but the program is still a ways away from the end result: success in the NCAA tournament — or to be invited to start.

"We've been through a lot in two and a half years here and we've always tried to keep an even keel with our approach," Krystkowiak said. "Through the tough times it was about waking up the next morning. I've said every day is a jump ball, you've got to get better. Now maybe we're starting to move toward the other end of the spectrum and we certainly don't want to change that blueprint at all."

For that success to continue, Utah has to get more from its roster on the road, particularly from players other than Loveridge and Delon Wright, who consistently give their all every night. The Utes can't rely on Loveridge and Wright to solely keep them in the game, particularly against teams like No. 1 Arizona.

#poll

In their two recent victories Utah has been able to tap into the reservoir of talent with up-and-coming players Dakarai Tucker and Kenneth Ogbe. Both were instrumental in the two recent wins by spreading the floor, hitting shots and keeping the defense from containing Loveridge and Wright.

"I'm just trying to help the team," Ogbe said after the 74-69 win over UCLA Saturday. "They're giving me a lot of confidence in practice and telling me to shoot the ball."

Additionally, Utah has to control the tempo and get out in front on offense. When Utah pushes the tempo in transition they're incredibly effective, especially with Wright leading the effort. Most obvious in their loss to Washington State, Utah failed to push the ball and were left trying to get shots off against a set defense nearly every possession.

"When we let loose on the defensive end it gives us a better chance to score on offense, and we don't have to worry about scoring when the defense is set and the zone," Wright said.

While an invitation to the NCAA tournament is an end goal, it's still an uphill battle for the Utes. Utah has the potential to contend in the Pac-12, but much of their success will be predicated on its ability to win against an opposing crowd.

Utah will take on Arizona State Thursday for the first of its three-game road stretch before heading to Tucson to take on No. 1 Arizona on Sunday. Utah will conclude its road stretch with a Wednesday night game against Colorado.

Related topics