During his weekly press conference today, coach Jim Boylen emphasized that his team -- particularly center Luke Nevill and wings Lawrence Borha, Carlon Brown and Jordan Cyphers -- must improve their rebounding for the Utes to return to playing the way they did during their five-game winning streak.

So I asked him whether the Utes have been outrebounded in three straight games -- all losses -- because of a lack of focus, or a lack of effort, or something else.

Boylen was quiet for several seconds, clearly deliberating his answer.

"I think you covered it," he said finally.

Boylen noted that the 7-foot-2 Nevill is grabbing more than nine rebounds in the Utes' victories, but fewer than six in the losses. He also said forward Kim Tillie needs to rebound and defend better than he has, lately.

"Luke and our wings have to rebound better,” he said. "Carlon Brown and Lawrence Borha and Cyphers have to rebound at the defensive end, and Luke has to get the balls he's supposed to get. ... I've said that since day one."