Takeaways From Utah’s Gritty 69-66 Win Over Cincinnati
Jan 29, 2025, 1:05 AM | Updated: 11:25 am
SALT LAKE CITY—Utah ended their two-game losing skid with a hard-fought 69-66 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Utes improved their record to 12-8, 4-5, and sit 10th in the Big 12 Conference.
A bounce-back effort from Gabe Madsen led the Utes, while significant contributions were made by Ezra Ausar, Keanu Dawes, and Jake Wahlin. Utah had to battle through a tough, even chippy game but made the plays they needed for the win.
This was an important victory for Utah, as they transition into the next phase of the schedule. With more winnable games on the horizon, having a get-right game at home should benefit the squad moving forward.
FINAL – Utah 69, Cincy 66
Utah's free throw shooting, of all things (12-of-15 second-half), led them to the victory tonight. This was a tough, gritty game and Utah had to battle for this one.https://t.co/TfgmQTKfOg
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) January 29, 2025
Here are the takeaways from the game…
Defensive stretches were the difference
Outside of rebounding, a 41-23 margin for Utah, there isn’t a major statistical difference between the two teams in this one. Utah did shoot it better from the field, as they converted 26-of-49 compared to Cincinnati’s 22-of-56 shooting. However, the Bearcats made three more 3-pointers and two more free throws.
However, the difference in this one was simply a few hustle plays. Coaches tend to highlight these sorts of plays as ‘winning plays’ in post-game commentary. Tonight, Utah made several hustle plays on the defensive side of the ball.
To end the first half, Utah didn’t allow a Bearcats score over the final two minutes. That included a couple of significant efforts to secure loose balls, close out on shooters, and challenge shot attempts inside and out. Utah finished the half on a 6-o run, which was the difference on the scoreboard, 40-34.
During a key stretch in the second half, Utah went on an 18-4 run thanks to eight defensive stops over a five-minute span. Keanu Dawes, Jake Wahlin, and Zach Keller spearheaded the effort. Thanks to their energy, they blitzed guards on the perimeter, contested shots inside, and made the stops that led to easier scoring opportunities the other way.
Utah’s defensive effort sparked three key runs in the game, which was all the difference in this one.
Free throws actually led Utah to the win
For many games this season, free-throw shooting has been an issue, leading to losses or making wins more difficult. Tonight, the Utes’ free throw shooting fueled them to the win.
After missing their only two free throws of the first half, Utah finished the second half 12-of-15 from the line. That included Madsen, who went 7-of-8, his only miss coming late. Dawes went 3-for-3, and Keller converted 2-of-2 from the line. It was simply good to see Utah knock down their free throws.
Gabe Madsen’s adjustment to the midrange
Though the shooting numbers weren’t super efficient, Gabe Madsen played his best game in quite a while. He finished with 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting, but he went 7-of-8 from the free throw line, which was a big difference from past performances.
Madsen seemed to find comfort in the midrange in this one, which was an adjustment from previous game. He knocked down a couple of jumpers from the elbows and worked a lot in that general area.
In the previous three games, Madsen had a 3-point rate of 81.3% on 32 field goal attempts. His 15.4% shooting from 3-point range means he went 5-of-26 from 3-point range in those three games. Against Cincinnati, Madsen still struggled from deep, only converting 1-of-6, but he trimmed his 3-point rate down to 46% and went 4-of-7 on his 2-point field goals.
Combined with his 7-of-8 shooting at the charity stripe and his 18 points on 13 shots, he actually turned in an efficient effort. Now, if Madsen is going to work more in the midrange—which he should—he needs to be stronger with the ball and make decisions quicker. He dished out four assists to counter the four turnovers, so there is room for even more playmaking if he can be better with the ball in traffic.
Signs of assertiveness from Mike Sharavjamts
Not only did Madsen have a better game, but Mike Sharavjamts did as well. He finished with just 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, but he also added a couple of hockey assists. From a general perspective, he was undeniably more involved and assertive than the previous two.
Outside of a couple of instances, Sharavjamts handled Cincinnati’s defensive pressure well. He capitalized on a handful of clean looks, including a 3-pointer at the top. He was also active on the defensive end, making it difficult for Cincinnati’s backcourt to find clean looks.
Though the numbers may not suggest a big impact, Sharavjamts’s performance was good. At a minimum, this is the sort of game Utah needs from him in future contests.
The emerging leadership from Ezra Ausar
Ezra Ausar’s emergence as the go-to option over the last five games has given him a different aura. He started this game quite assertively, scoring 9 of Utah’s first 13 points.
More impressively, he did a little bit of everything. He blocked an alley-oop attempt on the defensive end, and then calmly walked into a 3-pointer that he knocked down on the other end. A couple of possessions later, they threw down a big dunk and then knocked down a couple of easy baskets around the rim.
However, adversity hit Ausar tonight. The physicality of the game and the lack of whistles led to mounting frustration. After one of his attempts through contact was blocked, he turned it over on the next possession, complained about the contact, and was whistled for a technical.
Later, he picked up a ticky-tack third foul early in the second half and another four with about ten minutes left in the game. Both fouls resulted in a trip to the bench, but that is actually where Ausar impressed the most tonight.
While on the bench, Ausar was still completely engaged in the game. He yelled defensive calls to his guys on the opposite end of the floor, called out plays and different looks to them on the offensive end, cheered them on, pumped up the crowd, and just took on a different form of leadership from the bench.
This was exactly the sort of leadership he talked about needing after the Baylor loss. Despite the adversity and understandable frustration with the referees, he remained focused on what mattered most: helping Utah to the win, no matter what it required.
Better decision-making would’ve eliminated turnovers
Utah again had a game with significant turnover issues; they finished with 19 total in this one. Clearly, Utah has to be better at protecting the ball and playing soundly.
Ausar, Madsen, and Dawes finished with four turnovers apiece. They came in different forms: Ausar was whistled for traveling twice trying in the post, Madsen was crowded while driving in the paint and lost it a couple of times, and Dawes threw a couple of careless passes. Improved awareness and decision-making will go a long way to address those turnovers.
Though they only turned it over once between them, Miro Little and Hunter Erickson struggled to handle the rock securely against the Bearcats’ on-ball defense. They looked uneasy and were often overwhelmed by the intensity of the Bearcats defense. What’s perplexing is that Little actually looked capable and confident against Houston and Baylor, but he had a totally different look tonight.
Hopefully, it was just an off night for Little. Utah needs him to be a factor moving forward. Little can do a lot by tightening up his handle and better utilizing his frame to protect the ball against pressure. He’s competed at such a high level but is still young and going through growing pains.
UP NEXT – Utah at Oklahoma State
Utah again hits the road for a quick trip, this time to Gallagher-Iba Arena where it’ll face off against Oklahoma State on Saturday, Feb. 1, beginning at 1 p.m. (MST). James Westling will have the on ESPN+ alongside former Cowboy Bryndon Manzer as Utah looks to secure its first in-season sweep of a Big 12 foe against Oklahoma State.
