Want to know one big reason the Utes are riding a four-game winning streak?

Free throws.

Not only have the Utes attempted more -- by a wide margin -- than they did to this point last season, but they have held their opponents to far fewer, suggesting that they're doing a much better job of defending hard without fouling, something coach Jim Boylen has emphasized since becoming coach.

And it's a trend that could pay off big as the season progresses, considering the Utes ranked last in the Mountain West Conference last season in free-throws attempted.

The actual numbers are staggering.

The Utes are 88-for-115 for 76.5 percent from the line through the first five games of the season, compared to 54-for-79 for 68.4 percent through the same span last season. On the other end, opponents are hitting 60-of-78 free throws for 76.9 percent so far, after making 85-of-113 for 75.2 percent last season.

In other words, the Utes already have made nine more free throws through five games than they attempted last season, while opponents have attempted seven fewer than they made. "It's the difference in our season," Boylen said.