The Utah men's basketball teams leaves the state for only the third time, though they're nine games into the season. And there's a good possibility they don't know who's going to show against Washington State at Key Arena in Seattle tomorrow night.

    The Utes lost the two road games they've played, in Houston and Colorado, but the games were nothing alike.

    Against Rice University, the Utes came back three times before ultimately losing in triple overtime. Against Colorado, there wasn't even a rally.

    Coach Ray Giacoletti likes to pick an opposing player and call him the X-factor. But so far, for the Utes, it's effort that seems to be the big question mark.

    They had it against Rice, despite the loss. It was there against Weber State and Utah State and Adams State, but missing when Arizona came to town and in Colorado, both big losses.

    This much is certain: a bit of effort, and a win over the Cougars, would go a long way for the young Utes.