Game Preview - Utah

Perhaps the easiest game left on their schedule, the Washington Huskies will look to defend Alaska Airlines arena, as well as their four-game league winning streak, Saturday night when the Utah Utes come to town. The game will be aired live nationally on ESPNU at 8 p.m. PST.

Utah’s (8-9, 0-5) struggles have continued into their second year as a power conference squad.

However, their fortunes may be revered in the future as freshman Jordan Loveridge looks like he could be an impactful player for the next few years. From West Jordan, Utah, the 6-foot-6, 230 pound forward is averaging a respectful 12.5 points a game on 40 percent shooting. He is also pulling in 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game.

Also in the frontcourt, fifth-year senior Jason Washburn is a very effective player for the Utes. At 6-foot-10, the Michigan native is averaging 10.6 points on 60 percent shooting, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game. In conference play, he has averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.

In the backcourt, senior transfer Jarred DuBois from Loyola Marymount is averaging over 10 points a game for his fifth year (2010-11 he was redshirted after a season ending injury). At 13 points, the 6-foot-3 point guard is leading all Utes in scoring. DuBois, from Inglewood, Calif., also averages 3.4 assists and three rebounds a game.

As for locals, Rainier Beach's Aaron Dotson, formerly of LSU, is a backup junior guard for the Utes and Glen Dean, a strand out player for Eastern Washington, transferred in and will be starting.

At the helm for the Utes, Larry Krystkowiak is in his second year. A legend at the University of Montana, the 48-year-old had a long NBA career before getting into coaching. Most recently, the Missoula, Mont. Native was the coach of the USA U18 national team.