Jerrod Calhoun ‘Disgusted’ With Utah State’s Performance Against UNLV
Jan 21, 2026, 3:56 PM | Updated: Jan 22, 2026, 12:32 pm
Utah State basketball players Drake Allen and Adlan Elamin sit on the bench during an 86-76 loss to UNLV at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Tuesday, January 20. (Courtesy USU Athletics, Eileen Woodings)
(Courtesy USU Athletics, Eileen Woodings)
LOGAN, Utah – The momentum of a 15-1 start for the Utah State men’s basketball program has quickly evaporated on the back of consecutive losses.
Just one week after cracking the AP Top 25, the Aggies have dropped back‑to‑back games—culminating in what head coach Jerrod Calhoun called “by far my worst loss” during a stunning setback to UNLV.
The second-year Aggie head coach was livid following the Aggies’ first home loss of the season in his exclusive postgame interview on KSL Sports Zone.
RELATED: Second Consecutive Loss Leaves Utah State Searching For Answers
“I was utterly disgusted with our offense. When you miss free throws and don’t pass the ball, your concentration level is not there,” Calhoun said of his team’s effort. “Just really disgusted effort, you know, the coaching and the playing.”
A bad practice earlier in the week gave Calhoun and his staff a preview of what played out on Stew Morrill Court Tuesday night.
After two straight losses, the coaches head back to the drawing board as they work to keep the program on track for an NCAA Tournament appearance.
🗣️ Jerrod Calhoun
Full interview ➡️ https://t.co/QonADyOOJA#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/GsWBo2OJq0
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 21, 2026
“We’ve got to look at lineup data. We’ve got to look at who’s going to listen. We’ve got to look at our schemes,” said an obviously frustrated Calhoun. “When you hit rock bottom, you’ve got to really search and see what type of team you got, because this one hurts.”
If Utah State is going to continue being recognized as a top-tier mid-major program, Calhoun has a request: more NIL money.
Jerrod Calhoun asks for big money to recruit a big man
Intertwined with Calhoun’s frustration was a revealing comment about roster construction—specifically, the big man Utah State nearly landed in the transfer portal
“I thought I had one and lost it for about $300,000,” he admitted, citing the rising cost of acquiring size through NIL deals.
Since Calhoun’s arrival in Logan, USU has relied heavily on guard play, while lacking elite size or athleticism in the paint. Two of USU’s three losses this year have come after being outrebounded by its opponent, including last night.
Former Utah Ute Zach Keller is steady as a starting center at 6’10, but offers nothing spectacular, averaging 2.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 11.8 minutes a night.
🗣️ Karson Templin
Full interview ➡️ https://t.co/cT0hpHihxU#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/mwLcURbAAJ
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 21, 2026
Similar to Keller, third-year Aggie Karson Templin is limited athletically and checks in at 6’9.
Senior transfer big Garry Clark started the season strong, punishing teams on the boards. Clark has been nonexistent in USU’s past five games—scoring 16 total points, including a scoreless six‑minute outing versus UNLV.
Templin has been the most consistent of the trio. The Texas native averages eight points and 4.4 rebounds in 18 minutes.
None of the three brings anything close to the rim protection Aggie fans once enjoyed with Neemias Queta.
“Moving forward, we’ve got to spend a lot more money and prioritize a big guy in this program,” Calhoun cautioned.
Follow Utah State basketball with KSL Sports
Utah State heads to Fort Collins, Colorado, to face the Colorado State Rams on Friday, January 23. The Aggies’ first Mountain West rematch of 2026 tips off at 8 p.m. MT.
Find Utah State’s entire 2025-26 men’s basketball schedule here.
Take us with you wherever you go.
Listen to USU basketball games on KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard on the call.
Find KSL Sports coverage of Utah State University Athletics here.
Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
