Some early thoughts on Utah basketball’s Monday loss to Colorado, the Utes’ fourth straight defeat

The University of Utah men’s basketball team has lost four straight games following a 65-58 loss to Colorado late Monday afternoon at the Huntsman Center. Here are three quick takeaways.

1. Another bad second-half start: Utah was up 10 at the half Saturday night vs. Oregon, gave it all back early in the second half and lost. The very same thing took place Monday vs. Colorado. Up 10 at the half, gave it all back, and lost. The Utes have been outscored in their last three second halves, all losses, by a combined 47 points.

2. Rebounding continues to be a problem: Colorado is among the Pac-12′s better rebounding teams, Utah is among the league’s worst. Those facts played out as the Buffaloes finished plus-18 on the glass, hauled in 15 offensive rebounds and finished with 13 second-chance points.

3. Twenty-one second-half points, 2-for-11 from the foul line: Those are both stats that Utah produced, neither is conducive to winning a close game, especially against a quality team, especially against a quality team that couldn’t fully slam the door. This will understandably be a tough loss to stomach for Larry Krystkowiak.