The one monster, BYU already knew about. And it couldn't stop him.

As a result, the Cougars have two on their hands heading into today's must-win 3 p.m. game against Utah at the Marriott Center.

Seven-foot-2 Utah center Luke Nevill, who enjoyed a career game a month against in beating the Cougars, has brought along a very confident supporting cast.

"They're playing seven or eight guys, and those are a handful also. Each one creates their own problem," BYU head coach Dave Rose said. "They've won in a lot of different ways."

Enough to have a two-game lead in the Mountain West Conference race, with just three to play.

Utah is 20-7 overall, and more importantly 11-2 in league play.

This race could go down any number of ways. It could be a three-way tie for first place with the Utes, Cougars (21-6, 9-4) and New Mexico (also 9-4) with a tiebreaker determined by who finishes right behind them.

The safest bet probably leans on Utah and BYU splitting the crown, which would be BYU's third year in a row having a stake.

Utah has lost the past three years at the Marriott Center, and must still go to homecourt-dominant New Mexico before finishing up with TCU in Salt Lake City. So the Utes could justifiably have two more losses (four total) at the end of the regular season next Saturday.

That would mean BYU must win out (Utah, at Wyoming, vs. Air Force) to have a shot at the No. 1 seed.

New Mexico is in the same position as BYU, with decent odds to be on top at the end: going to Colorado State and Wyoming (easily the tougher of the two games) besides getting the Utes at The Pit next Tuesday.

"This is a great time of year," Rose said of the intensity.

Utah coach Jim Boylen would agree, as he's in the perch with room for error.

Rose is always talking about the value of confidence, and his team appears to have inadvertently instilled it in the rival.

A team that lost early-season games at Idaho State and Division I-AA Southwest Baptist showed signs of life with wins against LSU and Gonzaga (who each appear locks for the NCAA Tournament).

But Boylen's second year of MWC play started just 3-2 when the Cougars visited Jan. 27.

BYU led most of the game and had a three-point cushion with 2:21 left on a Lee Cummard jumper. But Jimmer Fredette missed what turned out to be a critical late regulation free throw, center Chris Miles was 2-of-9 at the line and senior Nevill turned in his best line score at a cogent time -- 10-of-12 from the field, 12-for-14 from the line, 32 points and 10 rebounds.

That six-point overtime decision started an eight-game winning streak.

"We played well enough to win that game. I think we were consistent through the whole game, especially offensively," Rose said. "A few plays there at the end, where we could've got a couple of stops or converted on a couple of opportunities.

"What we have to recognize is the personality of this game different ... emotion, officials, teams are at different spots than a month ago," Rose added.

It's not like the Cougars come in lacking faith in themselves. They rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit to win at San Diego State on Tuesday for the first time since 2003.

But Miles says "this game is just as big as San Diego State."

Stopping the biggest issue of them all, Nevill, may mean a variety of ideas. Rose is coy about how much double-teaming he might try, though the Cougars never really "monstered" the first time.

Miles spoke of forcing him to "make more decisions," such as having to decide whether to dribble or pass; or at least be wary of where the defensive attack will swarm. It would help if the inside game could produce some shots to pull the MWC's best shot-blocker away from the basket.

Rose at least knows what options he has available. Backup center, senior Gavin MacGregor, saw two minutes against Nevill and hasn't played since because of a foot injury.

Now it's mainly the chore for 6-11 Miles and 6-10 redshirt freshman James Anderson, who quipped, "there aren't may times I feel short. But he is pretty tall."

BYU (21-6, 9-4) VS. UTAH (20-7, 11-2)

Today, 3 p.m., Marriott Center

• Radio: KSL 1160 AM (102.7 FM)

• TV: CBS College Sports

• Tip-ins: Two BYU starters -- SG Jackson Emery and PF Jonathan Tavernari -- missed Thursday's practice because of flu-like symptoms but practiced Friday and are expected to play. ... BYU and Utah will meet for the 248th time today and 2009 marks the 100th anniversary of the series. ... BYU has won the past three meetings in Provo. ... Despite relatively low attendance this year, school officials are expecting close to a sellout at the 23,000-seat arena. ... BYU is encouraging fans to wear white to the game.