University of Utah’s basketball team is navigating a challenging start to their first season in the Big 12 Conference under the leadership of head coach Alex Jensen. Jensen, who had a playing career that included time at Utah, emphasizes the importance of focus and resilience, urging his players to concentrate on what they can control despite facing tough competition and setbacks. Recently, Utah experienced a significant defeat against the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats, a game in which they struggled to contain Arizona’s balanced offense and fell by a 19-point margin. Though the outcome was disappointing, Jensen reminds his team to learn from losses and remain committed to their developmental goals, emphasizing patience and growth amid adversity.
Recent Performance and Key Takeaways
Following their loss to Arizona in their Big 12 debut, Utah displayed moments of resilience, fighting back from a 17-point early deficit and reducing the gap to single digits multiple times during the first half. Despite their efforts, the Wildcats’ disciplined and balanced approach proved too much for the Utes on the day. Arizona exhibited a team-oriented offense, with no individual player exceeding 20 points, yet their collective effort was flawless, highlighting their professionalism and tactical discipline. Coach Jensen acknowledged the Wildcats’ impressive execution, saying, “There were a lot of things myself and our team could learn from them, because they scored 97 points, and — I said this after the game — but they didn’t have a guy over 20. You never saw them celebrate, get too high or too low. Very professional. You know, give credit to them.”
The game served as an important learning experience for Utah, especially considering their roster is relatively young and inexperienced at this level. With only a few players, such as junior forward Keanu Dawes and fifth-year senior James Okonkwo, having prior Big 12 experience, the rest of the team faced a steep learning curve. For freshmen like forward Kendyl Sanders, guard Obomate Abbey, and forward Ibi Traore, the physicality of the conference was a new challenge. Sanders commented, “It’s just very physical. I’d say it’s probably the best basketball team we ever played — just experience, the physicality, the shots they take, how hard they were on the floor. I mean, it was a lot, but I think I’m ready for it. I’m excited for the rest of the season.”
This game highlighted the drastic difference in intensity and physicality between nonconference play and the conference grind. Utah had faced top teams from the SEC, ACC, and Big Ten beforehand, but the Big 12’s demanding nature offers a new level of competition that tests the resilience and adaptability of even experienced players. Jensen praises Arizona’s coach, Tommy Lloyd, for their program’s development, especially the integration of talented freshmen into the Wildcats’ system. “I think it’s really valuable for our freshmen to get the experience, because I think the fastest way to improve is to play basketball. … Arizona does a great job of blending (together), start three freshmen, and give them credit, all those guys play well together,” Jensen said.
Looking Ahead: Building for the Future
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Despite setbacks, Coach Jensen remains optimistic about Utah’s trajectory. The team’s injury issues and roster depth challenges are part of a broader process of roster building, and the focus remains on long-term development. “For us, you’d love to have the eight-, nine-man rotation and stay healthy and have a couple young guys you bring up,” Jensen stated. “With injuries and other things, we are doing things we necessarily hadn’t planned on. But again, I think everybody’s trying to figure out the best way to build their roster.”
While the immediate challenge was Arizona, Utah’s next game offers a more manageable opportunity for redemption. The team will face Colorado on Wednesday night in Boulder, a matchup against a record of 11-3 overall and an undefeated 1-0 in the Big 12. Colorado’s recent performance, including a six-point road victory over Arizona State to start conference play, suggests they are a competitive team, but not as dominant offensively as Arizona. The Buffaloes average 86.6 points per game, with five players averaging double figures, led by guard Isaiah Johnson (15.9 points) and Barrington Hargress (13.6 points, 4.8 assists).
Strengths and Challenges in Upcoming Games
Colorado’s offensive efficiency and versatile roster make them a formidable opponent. Their ability to score and distribute the ball is balanced by their defensive efforts, which see them ranked 14th in the Big 12 for scoring defense, allowing 78.2 points per game. Utah’s defense is similarly tested, surrendering 79.8 points per game, which suggests that the upcoming game will likely be an offensive battle with both teams aiming to impose their style.
Coach Jensen recognizes Colorado’s strengths, emphasizing their skilled coaching staff and ability to adapt. “They’re well-coached. They’re big, they’re versatile. They have bigs that can handle the ball and they can initiate the offense,” Jensen said. The key for Utah, however, is less about targeting specific areas of Colorado’s game and more about refining their own focus and execution. Jensen stresses that consistent daily effort, minimizing turnovers, and disciplined defense will determine their success as the season unfolds.
Player Development and Team Strategy
Jensen’s overarching philosophy centers on player development and team cohesion. Rather than overemphasizing individual matchups, the focus is on continuous improvement—improving fundamentals like passing, transition defense, rebounding, and limiting mistakes. The experience against high-level teams like Arizona is invaluable for Utah’s young core, providing lessons that should translate into better performance down the line.
The coach also recognizes the importance of gaining game experience, particularly for freshmen who are navigating the physical demands of the Big 12. “It’s really valuable for our freshmen to get the experience, because I think the fastest way to improve is to play basketball,” Jensen said. “And playing against teams like Arizona teaches them how to handle the intensity, physicality, and execution needed at this level.”
In the broader scheme, Jensen’s goal is to build a roster that is not only competitive this season but also capable of sustaining success into future years. Injuries and roster adjustments are part of the journey, but the focus on player growth and strategic planning remains consistent. The recent addition of walk-on center Colin McHaney, a 6-foot-10 player from Georgia, exemplifies the ongoing effort to bolster the frontcourt depth. McHaney, from Milton, Georgia, has a background of regional championships and experience in high-level competition, making him a potential rotational player as Utah searches for added size and strength inside.
Final Thoughts and Future Outlook
As Utah continues their adaptation to the Big 12’s demanding style, the key remains learning from each game and applying those lessons. While setbacks like the Arizona loss highlight risks and areas for improvement, they also serve as stepping stones toward growth. Jensen’s approach of emphasizing control, discipline, and development could eventually translate into more wins and a more resilient team. With upcoming matchups against teams like Colorado, the Utes aim to refine their game and gain confidence in their ability to compete at this higher level. The season is still young, and with their focus on building for the future, Utah’s basketball program looks to turn challenges into opportunities for progress.
