Utah’s non-conference schedule is now complete, and the Runnin’ Utes enter Big 12 Conference play this Saturday with a clear sense of who they are and where they still need to improve.
Utah closed its non-conference slate Monday, Dec. 29, with a 74–65 loss at the University of Washington, finishing the opening portion of the season at 8–5 overall. Along the way, the Utes showed they can score with quality opponents and control games when things are clicking, but they also experienced stretches where leads slipped away from them, and they’re execution would falter late in games. The balance of progress and frustration has defined Utah’s season to this point.
The most telling example came Dec. 13 against Mississippi State at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Utah played one of its best halves of the season, riding a scoring surge from fifth-year senior Don McHenry. McHenry poured in 15 first half points, knocking down back-to-back 3-pointers and finishing the night with a season high of 29 points.
Utah led by as many as 17 points and appeared firmly in control against the SEC opponent. Terrence Brown added 22 points, and the Utes shot efficiently for much of the game.
But the second half told a different story. Mississippi State used a 20–2 run to flip the game, taking advantage of Utah’s turnovers and scoring repeatedly in the paint. Utah went more than six minutes without a field goal late and ultimately fell 82–74. The Bulldogs scored 46 points in the post and turned 14 Utah turnovers into 22 points.
“I think it’s kind of happened multiple times where this year we’ve gotten a double-digit lead, and I think it’s just kind of a maturity level for us as a group, as a team … But we tend to get a little lackadaisical and then be not patient on offense and we end up dribbling a lot and taking early shots,” Utah head coach Alex Jensen said.
The Utes respond the following week with their most complete performance of the season and their final home non-conference game. Utah overwhelmed Eastern Washington, 101–77, on Dec. 20 at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Keanu Dawes set the tone early and finished with 21 points on a perfect nine of nine shooting night. McHenry connected on six 3-pointers and scored 27 points, while Brown added 20 points in a career high 11 assists.
Utah shot 74.1% from the field in the first half and assisted on 23 of its 39 made baskets for the game. The Utes built a large lead and maintained it, a noticeable change from earlier games where momentum slipped away from them.
“Our high shooting percentage, I think, was a tribute to the playing with the pass, which we talked about not taking early bad shots and playing together, which I think we did a really good job, best job tonight,” Jensen said.
The momentum carried into the final non-conference test against the University of Washington in Seattle, on Dec. 29. The Runnin’ Utes and the Huskies traded baskets early, and Utah took a slim 37–36 lead into halftime behind 17 first-half points from Brown.
Utah stayed within striking distance throughout the second half and cut the deficit to three points with under six minutes remaining. However, Washington closed the game with an 8–2 run, while Utah struggled to find consistent scoring down the stretch.
Brown led Utah with 21 points, four assists and four steals. Dawes added 17 points and nine rebounds, and the Utes won the rebounding battle 36–32, including a 14–4 edge on the offensive glass. Still, Washington’s starting lineup accounted for all of its scoring, and Utah could not generate enough offense late to pull out the road win.
Now the challenge intensifies, Utah opens Big 12 play Saturday at home against No. 1 Arizona, one of the most complete teams in the country. The Wildcats are unbeaten and have already collected wins over Florida, UConn, Alabama, UCLA, Auburn and San Diego State. Freshman Koa Peat opened the season with a 30-point performance, and Arizona’s roster is balanced at every position.
Arizona is among the national leaders in defensive efficiency and shoots nearly 38% from 3-point range, well also controlling games inside with physical front-court play. It is the standard Utah will be measured against as conference play begins.
For the Utes, nonconference play offered lessons and evidence of growth. Big 12 play will demand consistency for 40 minutes every night. Utah knows what it can be. The next phase will show how close it is to getting there, and it starts Jan. 3. at 2 p.m. vs. Arizona at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Stream the game on Peacock, or students get in for free with their UID.
