After Knocking Off Rival BYU, Utah Faces Must Tougher Cougars In Houston
Jan 21, 2025, 1:01 PM | Updated: 1:28 pm
SALT LAKE CITY—Utah outlasted BYU in a back-and-forth battle and earned their third-straight Big 12 win. Now, the Runnin’ Utes have traveled back to Texas for a road game against the No. 7 Houston Cougars.
In the Big 12, there’s no respite for the weary, but Utah received an additional day to recover following a fierce rivalry game. The Houston contest has been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday afternoon because of severe weather in the region.
The Utes have made significant strides over the last ten days. After starting 0-3 in league play, they have now earned wins over Oklahoma State, TCU on the road, and rival BYU. Craig Smith’s adjustments have fueled the improvements on both ends of the floor.
Now, Utah will take on another very tough test against Houston.
Utah vs Houston Basketball, How To Watch, Listen
Date: Saturday, Wednesday 22, 2025
Tip-Off: 4:00 pm (MST)
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Radio: ESPN 700 AM
Originally scheduled for a 6:00 pm (MST) Tuesday night tip, the game has been rescheduled due to extreme weather issues. Pete Sousa and Mark Adams will guide fans through the action as the Runnin’ Utes play inside the Fertitta Center for the first time in program history against the Cougars.
RELATED: Grittiness, Toughness Leads Utah To 73-72 Win Over BYU
Keys to Houston’s losses are keys to Utah’s wins
This is another tough test for Utah, which hasn’t lost a game since November 30. In fact, the Cougars have only lost three games this season: Auburn, Alabama, and San Diego State. All three were neutral-site games, and two went into overtime.
The Cougars are a very good basketball program. Their top-tier talent and culture have resulted in the No. 1 defensive and No. 12 offensive ratings. Meanwhile, Utah enters this game with the No. 87 offensive and No. 68 defensive ratings.
Obviously, the Utes have to make up for a major gap in talent between the two teams. Still, their recent points of emphasis could keep them in this game.
However, analyzing Houston’s three losses reveals some keys that can help keep Utah in the game. In the Cougars’ three losses opponents attempted more than 18 free throws, and the Cougars did not meet their offensive rebounding rate of 38.3%.
In Utah’s last three games, they’ve shot an average of 28 free throws and limited opponents to a 30.7 offensive rebounding rate. So, yet again, rebounding and getting to the free throw line will be key for Utah against Houston.
RELATED: For Craig Smith, Utah Basketball, Ezra Ausar Is ‘Starting To Put It Together’
Utah is figuring out how to win
Though Utah’s win over BYU did little to enhance its resume, it was a very meaningful win. The Utes showed a lot of grittiness throughout the 45 minutes of action and earned a hard-fought victory. Utah had things in their control that could’ve led to a more comfortable win, but this is all part of the process.
“Really proud of the guys, it’s just their connectivity really showed, we went through some tough times, and we’re growing up,” Craig Smith said after their 73-72 win over rival BYU. “A lot of these guys haven’t won at a very high level, and they’re starting to figure out how to win.”
That’s a big deal for a roster of players some would consider castaways from their previous schools. Coach Smith has brought in a group of players that he felt had potential but were far from proven commodities. However, this group has figured some things out and has come together to generate positive momentum in league play.
“That can be hard to do because there is selflessness that goes in it; there’s sacrifice that goes into it,” he said. “There’s also a level of physical and mental toughness that is a big part of this thing, specifically mental toughness and understanding what we’re trying to do.”
The greater effort that coach Smith has drawn from his guys, even when shots aren’t falling, speaks to how bought in his players are. The energy and support that others bring to the game, even though they may have seen minutes decrease, screams “buy in” as well. Coach Smith has created a positive culture within the locker room, which will be vital as Utah faces new and unique challenges through the rest of Big 12 play.
RELATED: Takeaways From Utah Basketball’s 73-65 Road Win Over TCU
On Utah’s free throw line
“Obviously, we’ve got to shoot free throws better, those numbers are not where they need to be and we missed some big ones,” Smith said of the Utes’ 17-of-32 outing against BYU.
There is no question that Utah has to be better from the charity stripe. Part of the reason Utah went to the line as many times as they did against BYU is the very fact that they aren’t good at converting, which kept the Cougars in the game. If Utah has an average night from the charity stripe, perhaps the game never goes to overtime.
“That’s the glass half-empty; the glass half-full is, at least, we got to the free throw line 32 times and made 17,” he explained. “Two weeks ago, there was no chance we were going to make 17 free throws in a game because we wouldn’t get fouled. We’re playing a different brand now, we’re getting to the line more because we’re attacking more, and just playing with more force.”
Individually, players have shown stretches of good free throw shooting. Against Oklahoma State, Ezra Ausar finished 7-of-8. Gabe Madsen once had an 11-of-12 outing against Eastern Washington. Miro Little converted 6-of-6 against Saint Mary’s not too long ago. Down the list, there are games where these individuals showed good free throw shooting. These guys clearly have the potential to be more consistent; it’s all a matter of putting in the time to practice and locking in mentally at the line.
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