The Alex Jensen Era Begins With Utah Defeating San Jose State, 84-75

SALT LAKE CITY — Monday night didn’t need pyrotechnics or a dramatic unveiling to feel significant, it was the first true look at the Alex Jensen era at Utah — and from the opening tip, you could feel a fresh identity beginning to take shape.

The energy was purposeful, the style was clear, and the foundation being laid looked like something sturdy enough to build a season — and a program — on.

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦, 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗖𝗛‼️ pic.twitter.com/LxXvLdPy70

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 4, 2025

Seydou Traore proved to be pretty dynamic for the Runnin’ Utes. Keanu Dawes finished with a near double-double. Utah’s guards looked noticeably more dynamic.

The Utes opened the season with a 7:00 p.m. home tip against San Jose State, and while the crowd wasn’t quite “sold out and snarling,” it was noticeably better than your typical early-November shrug of a turnout.

People are curious. People want to believe. And for the first time in a while, Utah basketball looked like a team that fans can get behind.

A New Starting Five With New Energy

Jensen rolled out a starting lineup that provided an idea of what to expect:

Terrence Brown – Don McHenry – Seydou Traore – Josh Hayes – Keanu Dawes

Athleticism. Versatility. Guards who can actually create advantages off the bounce. Wings who can defend multiple spots. And, most importantly, athletes who can play downhill.

Utah was missing two rotation bigs — James Okonkwo (serving a three-game transfer eligibility hold) and Ibi Traore (nearing return from last year’s injury) — so Jensen leaned into the athleticism. And it paid off.

.@keanu_28 right down Main Street #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/GDJPXOQBFb

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 4, 2025

This Backcourt Changes the Math

Let’s just say it plainly: last year’s backcourt did not pressure opponents on either end of the floor. The lack of athleticism was an issue all season.

Enter Terrence Brown and Don McHenry, who wasted no time showing they are here to break people down.

• McHenry finished with 16 points, repeatedly collapsing the defense in the lane with a crafty dribble.

• Brown scored 12 points and dished 8 assists, controlling tempo like a guy who’s been doing it for years.

They didn’t just score — they forced San Jose State to rotate, scramble, and respect Utah’s guards in a way opponents simply didn’t last season. That pressure is how you get open threes, backdoor cuts, and real offensive rhythm. Utah finally looked modern.

Brown was able to simply blow by his defender a few times for layups. He also assisted on a handful of buckets from inside the arc and outside.

McHenry consistently got into the paint and finished like a crafty lefty would. He showed off a floater, a jumper, and an ability to finish among the trees.

Seydou Traore: The Real Deal?

Utah fans are going to fall in love with Seydou Traore very fast.

He looked every bit of a playmaking forward — the type of guy who does a little bit of everything without looking like he’s trying to do everything.

He put the ball on the floor, made sharp reads, finished with force around the rim, and hit multiple threes with confidence. He defended guards and bigs with equal effectiveness.

And when Utah needed someone to step up and take control? He did exactly that.

San Jose State took a 64–63 lead with 9:14 left.

• Corner three → 66–64 Utah

• Transition layup → 68–64

• Another three a few possessions later → 75–66

Just like that, Utah ripped off a 12–2 run, and the game never swung back.

That’s what a go-to player looks like and maybe Utah has one in Traore, only time will tell.

He finished the night with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 18 of which came in the second half.

5th triple for @iamseydou35 gives him a new CAREER-HIGH (23 points) and extends our lead against the Spartans!#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/AfBYzghbo4

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 4, 2025

Other Notables

• Jacob Patrick looked like a prototypical 3-and-D wing — went 2-for-4 from deep and played tougher on-ball defense than scouting reports suggested.

• Freshmen Kendyl Sanders and Obomate Abbey didn’t look overwhelmed. That matters. If even one of them becomes a nightly contributor, Utah’s rotation ceiling jumps. Sanders knocked down a 3-pointer before adding a layup off of an offensive rebound in the final minutes.

• Utah’s perimeter defense flashed — in key moments of real, aggressive ball pressure — but also faded for stretches. Jensen will turn that from occasional to habitual. That’s coming.

• Despite a size disadvantage on paper, Utah competed hard on the glass and ended up +4 (40-36) on the boards.

The Takeaway

This wasn’t a statement win. This was a good first step for Jensen at the helm.

• A clear offensive philosophy centered around ball and player movement

• Dynamic backcourt ability that forces defenses to defend, rotate, recover

• A pair of versatile forwards who do a bit of everything on both ends of the floor

This team clearly has need for improvement and many areas to make progress. They need greater consistency on the defensive end. Adding reinforcements inside with Okonkwo and I. Traore will help too.

But for an opening night, in the first steps of a new era, Utah basketball looked like something fans can get behind again.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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