All right, we know this is a bit of a stretch ... but if the Utes are looking to a bright side to their disappointing loss to rival Brigham Young last night, they have one:

The rematch.

The Utes and Cougars stand a good chance of meeting again in the semifinals of the Mountain West Conference tournament in Las Vegas next month, presuming the Utes don't fall apart in their last five games and blow what appears to be a solid hold on either the fourth or fifth seed in the bracket (or lose the first-round game, most likely against San Diego State).

And if the Utes felt they got hosed by the refs last night, they figure to stand a much better chance on that account on a neutral court -- even if many of the fans at the Thomas & Mack Center figure to be cheering for the Cougars.

Just as an historical note, by the way, the rivals have met in conference tournaments eight times since the Western Athletic Conference commenced one in 1984. Only twice have the Utes entered that tourney meeting having lost both regular-season meetings, and both times -- in 1992 and 1994 -- they lost in the tournament, as well.