Runnin’ Utes Working For More Consistency In Final Stretch Of Big 12 Play

Feb 22, 2025, 11:59 PM | Updated: Feb 23, 2025, 12:04 am

Utah basketball's Keanu Dawes headlines the 2025-26 roster....

Feb 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Utah Utes forward Keanu Dawes (8) dunks the ball during the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

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BY STEVE BARTLE

Utah Insider

SALT LAKE CITY—In its fourth season under Craig Smith’s leadership, Utah has experienced its share of ups and downs in the Big 12.

However, currently sitting ninth in the conference standings, the Runnin’ Utes has already exceeded expectations, but it’s a vital stretch for the program’s outlook.

After big wins over Kansas State and Kansas at home, Utah basketball hopes to finish the season with a bit more consistency.

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— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 22, 2025

The Utes have yet to play with the same effort and execution on the road as they do at home. With three road games left, including Sundays, the Utes have their opportunities to do so.

The keys to Utah’s success: Defense and rebounding

The standout factors in Utah’s recent victories were its defensive intensity and dominance on the boards. The Utes held Kansas to just 67 points—nearly 10 below their season average—while forcing 12 turnovers and holding them to 40% shooting from the field.

Against Kansas State, Utah controlled the glass, outrebounding their opponent 51-28.

“We defended at the level you need to defend to succeed in the Big 12, and we rebounded at the level you need to succeed in the Big 12,” said Craig Smith. “If we can do those things consistently, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win every night.”

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Smith has emphasized rebounding and defensive effort all season, and those efforts paid off against Kansas and Kansas State. While offensive improvements are still to be made, if the Utes continue their defensive commitment, they will remain competitive in their remaining games.

“Defense and rebounding travel,” Smith added. “That has to be our mantra, something we can always rely on.”

The importance of building a winning culture

Momentum isn’t just about a hot streak—it’s about setting standards, fostering resilience, and building confidence in every game, regardless of the opponent or location.

A strong culture starts with accountability, discipline, and effort. Consistency in defensive intensity, rebounding, and preparation translates to long-term success.

It’s easy to forget that Smith welcomed 10 new players and seven new staff members to the program last offseason. After an offseason of that much change, it has taken time to establish the standards and culture needed to contend in this league.

Bummed we couldn’t be there to cheer you on, but couldn’t be more 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙐𝘿 of our guy @ballerbranden35 as he made his debut back home tonight in SLC! #onceautealwaysaute

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Smith has been focused on raising Utah’s standard of play. The team has had moments and stretches of a higher level of basketball. Coming off the two big wins at home, it’s now about sustaining this standard on the road, which is key to the bigger issue – Utah’s dropoff away from home.

“What I feel like we need is consistency and sustained success,” Smith said. “Understand what we’re trying to do no matter who we play, no matter what style we go against, no matter what their strengths and weaknesses are, understanding the things that we can do on a day-to-day basis, and then go do them.

During Utah’s first few Big 12 games, Smith often talked about not truly grasping the level of play in this league. He and his players had to experience it first before fully understanding what it took to compete. Since those first three losses, Utah has gone 7-5 in league play and is coming off two big wins.

“Momentum is real,” said Smith. “When you win two games in three days, you just want to keep playing. Now we have six days between games—it feels like an eternity. We’ll see how we respond.”

After generating some positive momentum at home, Utah has traveled to Orlando for its furthest road game of the season. This cross-country road trip to face UCF presents a unique opportunity to showcase greater consistency in the furthest conference venue from its home floor.

Utah obviously plays better at home than on the road, but the difference is drastic. The Utes average 80.2 points, 36.8 rebounds, and 10.8 turnovers at home, compared to 65.8 points, 32.6 rebounds, and 13.7 turnovers on the road. Utah clearly has to raise its standard of play on the road.

For Smith’s Runnin’ Utes, it all starts against UCF, but the road ahead presents opportunities.

“We’ve got to finish strong,” Smith emphasized. “Four games in 12 days—each against very different teams—so we need great practices, focus, and the right mentality.”

The need-to-knows about the UCF Knights

A feisty 4-4 start in the grueling Big 12 has fizzled to a 4-11 mark, with seven straight losses. Perhaps it’s just life in the Big 12, as most of these games were competitive, UCF is a team teetering on the brink. That’s resulted in a 13-13 overall record and questions about the future under Johnny Dawkins.

“These guys are extremely talented,” Smith said. “On any given night, they have multiple guys who can take over a game.”

Keyshawn Hall, a jumbo guard at 6-foot-7, 255 pounds, currently leads the Big 12 in scoring in conference games, averaging 21.1 points per game in league play. He’s shooting 50.7% from the field and 40% from deep over the last five games, he’s also grabbing 8.0 rebounds and dishing out nearly 2.0 assists per game.

Darius Johnson is averaging 15.1 points per game while shooting an impressive 41.5% from beyond the arc. He’s made multiple 3-point shots in 14 of his 25 games this season. He’s averaging over two makes per game from deep. Johnson is also second all-time in UCF history in steals and third for assists.

Jordan Ivy-Curry is a 6-foot-3 senior guard, who is averaging 13.7 points. He shoots it efficiently from deep at 34.2% but is particularly good at getting to the rim, and drawing contact.

Then keep an eye on 7-foot-2 freshman center Moustapha Thiam, who is averaging 2.5 blocks per game. His status is up in the air after missing the Oklahoma State game due to illness. Thiam is also knocking down 31% from 3-point range, which makes him a fascinating matchup.

How to watch Utah Basketball Vs. UCF

Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025

Tip-Off: 2:00 pm (MST)

TV: ESPN+

Online: WatchESPN.com

Drew Fellios will have the call on ESPN+ beginning at 2 p.m. (MST) alongside former UCF Knight, BJ Taylor, as the Runnin’ Utes and Knights battle for the first time ever on US soil and just the second time in program history.