Utah faces a tough test on Saturday night as they host No. 17 Kansas in a Big 12 showdown. The Utes (13-11, 5-8 Big 12) are looking to end a two-game losing streak, while the Jayhawks (17-7, 8-5 Big 12) aim to maintain their strong defensive play after a 71-59 win over Colorado.

The Jayhawks obviously hope to return to Lawrence on a three-game win streak. After beating Colorado at Allen Fieldhouse Tuesday, their next obstacle is beating the Utes on their home turf in Utah. The key for the Jayhawks will be forcing the Utes to turn over the ball. Utah’s prone to security issues in that regard.

When the scheduling matrix for Utah’s initial Big 12 basketball schedule was released last June, one matchup in particular stood out — blue blood program Kansas was coming to the Huntsman Center.