Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak entered his fifth season determined to keep momentum from last year's NCAA Sweet 16 run. He'll learn how well the No. 16 Utes can do that as they head to this week's Puerto Rico Tipoff in a demanding opening month.
Utah's trip to San Juan, starting with a game against Texas Tech, is part of a stretch of five games in 10 nights to open the season. The Utes (2-0) are coming off Monday's win against a San Diego State team that has reached the NCAA Tournament for six straight seasons. They're making the longest trip of the Tipoff teams at roughly 3,100 miles and a couple of time zones east - prompting Krystkowiak to quip that maybe his team should get ''a few points head start'' in games.