Takeaways From Utah’s Upset Victory Over No. 17 Kansas Jayhawks
Feb 16, 2025, 2:00 AM | Updated: Feb 18, 2025, 12:37 pm
SALT LAKE CITY—In front of a Huntsman Center crowd that was split fairly evenly between Utah fans in black and Kansas fans in blue, the Runnin’ Utes put forth their best effort of the year.
Their energy on both ends of the floor led to a 74-67 win over Bill Self’s Kansas program. It’s a meaningful victory for Craig Smith and the Runnin’ Utes, who finally added a signature win to their resume.
DOWN GOES #17!! RED DUBS‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/DoKcO79HY1
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 16, 2025
Despite shooting less efficiently, Utah’s hustle made the difference in this one. They finished the game with 16 offensive rebounds, which led to 14 second-chance points. They forced 12 Kansas turnovers that resulted in 22 direct points off of them while limiting their giveaways to just seven. Utah finished the game with an average of 1.12 points per possession on 66 possessions, while Kansas averaged just .971 on 69 possessions.
Here are the takeaways from the game…
Gabe Madsen’s record-setting 3-point dagger
What a shot, what a moment, and what a career. Gabe Madsen connected on a 3-pointer with 1:58 left in the game that extended Utah’s lead to 67-60—and ultimately, the difference in the game—and made him Utah’s all-time 3-point record holder.
In dramatic fashion, @GabeMadsen53 is now your ALL-TIME LEADER IN 3FGM at the University of Utah‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Zvr9pZfIqt
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 16, 2025
That was Madsen’s 288th make of his career, and what a shot to do it with. Not only getting the record but giving the team the distance it needed between them and the Jayhawks to preserve their upset bid.
It’s been an up-and-down season for Madsen, but he’s showed up every game and competed. Madsen knows he has to continue to get better and shoot it more efficiently, but be sure to give Madsen the credit he is due for that shot and the record he’s earned.
Utah’s best effort-level game of the season
Utah’s 10-3 start set the tone. Utah came out swinging in the opening minutes. They landed enough punches that forced Kansas to take a timeout before the first media break of the game. Utah’s Gabe Madsen and Jake Wahlin each knocked down 3-pointers, while Ezra Ausar added two buckets, including a two-handed alley-oop slam.
More notable than the scoring was the energy the team played with. This did not look anything like a team that had just lost two consecutive games. This team came out with an aggression and effort level that got the crowd behind them from the very start.
Even as Utah would suffer through scoreless droughts, the energy remained fairly high. Utah battled on the defensive end of the floor, mucking it up inside against Hunter Dickinson, while also forcing turnovers that led to easy scoring opportunities the other way.
Not in Kansas Anymore… Welcome to Ute Country🔥
Utah vs Kansas Highlights⬇️#Big12MBB | @UtahMBB pic.twitter.com/UR1OezcHKX
— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) February 16, 2025
Despite a five-minute scoring drought, the Utes showed some resolve in the half’s final two minutes. After the Jayhawks tied the game up 32-32, it felt like all the momentum was theirs. However, Ausar at least fought back and finished the half with five more pints, while Little added a layup. That finish seemed to give the Utes some confidence going into the half.
They came out in the second half and rebuilt a seven-point lead in the opening five minutes. The team’s energy was really impressive on the defensive end. They forced multiple Kansas turnovers, leading to Utah’s direct points on the other end. The Utes forced six turnovers during that stretch, which led to seven direct points off of them.
Kansas would ultimately battle back as Utah experienced a seven-minute scoring drought. The offensive execution got a little sloppy, and the team couldn’t create good scoring opportunities.
However, Utah’s focus was on finishing the game, and in the final minutes, they dug deep to play with the energy they needed on both ends of the floor to surge into the finish line.
“We just kept telling each other ‘finish, finish, finish’ and that was our focus late in the game,” Jake Wahlin said.
The finishing effort was obvious as Utah hustled for offensive rebounds and contested shots on the defensive end. Utah finished the game with four possessions late in the final three minutes that resulted in an offensive rebound a second-chance point. They also forced Kansas to finish 1-of-6 from the field after the Jayhawks tied it up.
All in all, this was Utah’s best effort-level game from start to finish.
The Kansas Jayhawks played a conference game in the Huntsman Center
To see Bill Self and the Jayhawks program in the Huntsman Center was a bit surreal. It was the first time the Jayhawks had ever played a game in the Huntsman Center, but it was more than that.
Kansas vs Utah in the Huntsman Center. pic.twitter.com/inaSrf0otr
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) February 16, 2025
Kansas is one of the storied college basketball programs, one of the sport’s biggest flag bearers. It’s a national brand that often plays in front of a national audience.
Similar to Utah football playing USC for the first time in Rice Eccles Stadium, it was just a bit surreal. In many ways, they are the standard that every other conference member works to best.
Utah football conquered that standard in the Pac-12. Hopefully, Utah basketball can do the same in the Big 12.
Utah finished as strong as they started
A program as talented and well-coached as Kansas demands a high-level effort, if not darn-near-perfect execution. They present difficult matchups athletically, physically, schematically, and talent-wise for all 40 minutes.e
Against the Jayhawks, they got off to a strong start and battled through the ebbs and flows of the game. They’ve done that in previous contests but ultimately failed to finish.
Tonight, the squad showed great mental toughness to sustain their effort throughout the 40 minutes. As the end of the game neared, the message amongst themselves became “finish,” which served as a reminder of their past shortcomings and to continue to fight to the end.
Ultimately, Utah not only held off the Jayhawks but provided the final knockout blows for the win. After Kansas tied the game up 60-60, Ausar added a tough layup through contact on a second-chance opportunity. Wahlin converted two free throws on the next possession, which also served as a second-chance opportunity. Then Madsen hit the 3-point record-setting dagger to give the Utes a seven-point cushion with two minutes to go.
That sequence of plays made the difference for Utah. The hustle for offensive rebounds, the free throw conversions, and the big shot were plays that Utah didn’t make just a couple of weeks ago.
There’s plenty to nitpick with the performance but the macro-view of progress is that Utah finished a game as strongly as they started it.
The beauty and beast of the Big 12
Almost every game in the Big 12 is a quality opportunity. That’s exciting in one sense, but it’s a grind, mentally and physically.
Losses can mount quickly if you aren’t prepared for the competition, while winning streaks can feel like ecstasy. After two road losses, the Utes’ win over a ranked Kansas squad should help the vibes around the program. A win like that can be energizing and motivating, which is the beauty of the Big 12 play.
However, those two things can be fleeting. Utah can’t enjoy it too long because the beast of the Big 12 is that the next quality opponent is just a few days away.
Utah has to remain committed to the process and get back to work for the next one. It’s a quick turnaround with a Monday night tilt against Kansas State, but that’s what this league demands.
As the old saying goes, the great thing about a win is the opportunity to win two in a row.
UP NEXT – Kansas State Vs. Utah
It’ll be a quick turnaround for the Runnin’ Utes this weekend as they’ll get just one day to prepare for Kansas State, who will come into the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Monday, Feb. 17, for a 7 p.m. (MST) tip-off on ESPN2. Roxy Bernstein will be joined alongside Sean Farnham as to call the action as Utah and Kansas State square off for the first time since Nov. 25, 1983 – a 63-53 affair in favor of the Utes in Rosemont, Ill., at the Tribune Classic.
