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The fashion choices of Utah's coaching staff have been notable for not including suits this year — this week, it will make for the ideal ensemble.

The Utes are among the men's basketball programs sporting sneakers to support Coaches vs. Cancer, an initiative sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise awareness about cancer while raising funds to help defeat it.

So with their red long-sleeve polos and gray slacks, the white Under Armour sneakers blended right in.

"We've been going pretty casual," coach Larry Krystkowiak said leading up to the game. "We're gonna look great in tennis shoes."

Oregon's staff also work tennis shoes, albeit with suits.

It's always a personal experience for Krystkowiak, perhaps this year moreso than others. He let slip in December that he had a cancerous thyroid removed in the spring during the offseason. He has also lost several family members, including his mother, to cancer. During the 2014-15 season, the team rallied around assistant Andy Hill's father, who died later that year of brain cancer.

The Utes coaching staff will be wearing sneakers for both home games this week. On Saturday, the team will be its hosting its annual Teddy Bear toss: Fans are invited to buy teddy bears to toss down to the court at halftime. The donations will go to children in need.

Krystkowiak identified Jim Valvano, the former NC State basketball coach who became famous both for winning the 1983 NCAA national championship but also giving an ESPYs speech weeks before succumbing to cancer, as one of his inspirations.

"Just how that guy lived his life — I didn't know him that well, but he was an inspiration — then to lose him, it really hit home," he said. "We're just trying to our part between that and the Huntsman Cancer Institute, which we love."

Krystkowiak also said the Utes would be wearing pins to support autism awareness this week.

BYU AD stops by

The Utes aren't hosting the team from Down South this year, but their athletic director took a seat in the media booth on Thursday night.

Tom Holmoe, BYU's athletic director, watched the game alongside NBA scouts and other media. Holmoe is a member of the NCAA men's basketball committee, which is responsible for selecting the NCAA Tournament field in March among other duties.

While Holmoe was among those put out by Utah's decision a year ago to cancel the men's basketball series with BYU this season, the rivals will meet next season.

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon