Takeaways From Utah Basketball’s Loss To The No. 22 Arizona Wildcats
Feb 27, 2025, 1:20 AM | Updated: 11:25 am
Feb 26, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Utah Utes forward Keanu Dawes (8) blocks a lay up made by Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
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In their first game since the surprising coaching change, the Runnin’ Utes faced a challenging matchup against the No. 22 Arizona Wildcats, resulting in an 83-66 defeat.
Josh Eilert stepped in as interim head coach and did his best but ultimately, this game was always going to a difficult one for Utah. The loss brings Utah’s record to 15-13 overall and 7-10 in Big 12 play.
Related: Utah Basketball Falls To No. 22 Arizona, 83-66
Here are the takeaways from the game.
Josh Eilert provided a stabilizing presence
The decision to dismiss men’s basketball head coach Craig Smith was a surprising one. Stepping into the head coaching role in Smith’s departure, Josh Eilert aimed to guide the Utes through a turbulent period. Despite the loss, Eilert not only seemed to know which strings to pull but provided a stabilizing presence.
Related: Lackluster Performance In 75-46 Loss For Utah Women’s Basketball Vs. No. 18 West Virginia
This was mostly evident in how the team responded after halftime. Utah struggled in the first half, falling behind by double-digits due to 9 turnovers. However, the Utes played a much cleaner brand of ball in the second half and at least kept pace with the Wildcats. The team showed greater composure and executed their game plan at a higher level under his direction.
It would’ve been very understandable for players to mail it in at some point in this game. It’s been a whirlwind of a few days, yet the team continued to play. In his post-game availability, Eilert reiterated the fact that these players chose to come to Utah to play for someone else. He talked about how difficult this is on the players but how he’s entirely focused on providing them with his best effort as a coach.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd comments on Craig Smith’s kids
Really impressed by what Lloyd had to say about Smith and his kids still with the team. Brady is a walk-on guard, while Landon is the director of operations. It would’ve been very easy for each of these two young men to not travel with the team. Lloyd’s comments were pretty powerful.
WATCH: Tommy Lloyd gets emotional when talking about Brady and Landon Smith, sons of former Utah Head Coach Craig Smith.
Smith was fired Monday. Landon (Director of Operations) and Brady (Walk-on) were with the team in McKale tonight. pic.twitter.com/SEoiUIiwKH
— Jenna Fink (@jennamfink) February 27, 2025
Keanu Dawes’ strong performance
Freshman forward Keanu Dawes delivered an impressive performance off the bench, recording 18 points and 10 rebounds. Dawes’ double-double performance was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging game for Utah. His energy and effectiveness provided a significant boost for the Utes.
Related: Former Runnin’ Utes Speak On Utah Basketball, Coaching Change
He not only showed the desire to still compete at a high level in the final few games of the season. But as the focus begins to shift to the future, Dawes is emerging as key piece for Utah to hang onto.
Dawes has been consistently productive this season, however, he looked noticeably more aggressive last night. It was a good indication of his development this season and a glimpse into what he could become down the road.
Utah players deserve a show of support.
With only a few games remaining in the regular season, combined with the Big 12 tournament in March, the season is nearing an end.
Without question, this is a fairly turbulent moment for the basketball program, especially for the players. Yes, it’s been an up-and-down year, but these players gave this program a ton of effort. They provided some memorable wins and some exilerating moments.
A lot of the attention and focus will be on the coaching search and the future of the program. However, these players not only still have a lot to play for this season, many have given a lot of themselves to the program. Utah will return home for the next two games which gives fans the opportunity to show their support to the players, who, quite frankly, deserve it.
UP NEXT – Arizona State vs Utah
Utah returns home to the friendly confines of the Jon M. Huntsman Center this weekend as it plays host a familiar face from the Valley of the Sun on Saturday, March 1, in Arizona State. Pete Sousa will once again have the call and will be joined by former Arizona Wildcat Corey Williams on the ESPN+ broadcast set to start at 5 p.m. (MST) as the two former Pac-12 programs battle it out as members of the Big 12 Conference.
