The AP voters spoiled that strategy. Utah's Top 25 ranking took away the underdog label and gave it to two visiting opponents, who caused all kinds of problems at the Huntsman Center. UCLA's 100-90 victory Sunday marked No. 17 Utah's fourth straight loss.
The latest one hurt, beyond the certainty of Utah's falling out of the rankings Monday. UCLA (14-9, 8-4 Pac-12) dropped Utah (18-5, 7-5) into sixth place in the conference with six regular-season games remaining. The top four teams receive first-round byes in the Pac-12 tournament.
The Utes initially responded well to their Top 25 status in late January.