Utah basketball to open vs. Long Beach State with lessons from three exhibitions
Nov 1, 2026, 3:54 PM
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah basketball will be back at the Huntsman Center, and an intriguing new group is ready to give fans their first regular-season look at what Alex Jensen’s second team can become.
The Runnin’ Utes host Long Beach State at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, on ESPN+. Exhibition wins over UNLV and Oregon offered reasons to be encouraged, from an emerging backcourt to the hustle plays that helped Utah rally past the Ducks in overtime. Now comes the opportunity to build on those flashes when the results count.
Long Beach State arrives with a rebuilt roster, returning just two players while adding 13 newcomers. For Utah, the opener is a chance to establish an early rhythm and give the home crowd something to get behind.
see u @ the huntsman center tomorrow
#GoUtes https://t.co/vaXJU5gRT5
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 1, 2026
Cleaner execution is the next step
One of the obvious needed improvements is free throw shooting. After making 21 of 25 free throws against UNLV, Utah went 14 of 27 over the final two exhibitions.
The Utes also finished with 47 assists against 40 turnovers. Jensen sees room for better passing as the players become more comfortable together.
“A lot of that we have to help them as coaches, but I think a lot of that comes with playing together more in different situations,” he said.
Utah’s overtime comeback against Oregon demonstrated persistence. Monday offers a chance to pair that competitiveness with fewer mistakes.
“Continuity is underrated and then the experience is also a huge, huge factor,” Jensen said. “That’s why I say I think we’ll get much better as the season progresses.”
Against Long Beach State, the clearest signs of progress will be protecting the ball, converting free throws and finishing defensive stops with a rebound.
Trey Campbell leads the backcourt
Campbell provided Utah’s most consistent scoring, averaging 17 points and making 11 of 25 threes. His 44% shooting from deep was particularly valuable alongside teammates who combined to shoot 27.1%.
Utah needs more shooting around him, but Jensen expects Campbell to contribute beyond scoring.
“We’re gonna rely on him to do a lot of things,” Jensen said. “Might be scoring, but might be something else in the game.”
Jackson Holcombe added 13 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. TJ Burch supplied 36 points, eight steals and six assists off the bench while committing only two turnovers across the exhibitions.
For a team that turned the ball over 40 times, Burch’s ability to create opportunities without wasting many possessions stands out.
𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 🔜
🆚 Long Beach State
🏟️ Jon M. Huntsman Center
📅 MON, NOV 2
⏰ 7:00PM MT
📺 ESPN+
📻 ESPN700🎟️: https://t.co/2IThouO7qQ
#GoUtes https://t.co/3UdG3JLXIf
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) October 30, 2026
Offensive rebounding gives Utah extra chances
Utah collected 45 offensive rebounds and scored 42 second-chance points. Its share of available offensive rebounds increased each game, from 27.5% against UNLV to 36.6% against Nevada and 39.6% against Oregon.
Offensive rebounding is largely an effort stat, and this team seems to be embrace that part of the game. This group hustled and battled hard on the glass for those extra opportunities through each contest.
Malek Gomma accounted for 13 offensive boards by himself. Against Long Beach State, Utah needs to turn more of that work into points after producing 13 second-chance points from 15 offensive rebounds against Nevada and 14 from 19 against Oregon.
Finishing defensive possessions remains a work in progress
Despite the strong offensive rebounding, Utah finished even on the glass overall, 128–128. That’s because the Utes allowed 44 offensive rebounds, nearly matching the 45 they collected.
“I think we could be a really good rebounding team. We’re not,” Jensen said.
Opponents recovered roughly 35% of available rebounds at their offensive end. Utah improved its defensive rebound rate in each exhibition, but finishing those stops remains a priority Monday.
Now, one significant dynamic that will help Utah on the glass is Babacar Faye and Fynn Schott returning to the floor. Jensen shared that Faye has been 100% cleared, but that it will be a process to get him up to speed. Meanwhile, Schott had a minor surgery back in September and is still a few weeks away from a return. Both will help Utah on the glass.
Perimeter shooting will be a big factor
Utah shot 40.2% overall and 31.6% from three across the exhibitions. Nearly half its field-goal attempts — 95 of 194 — came from beyond the arc.
Shooting is a major point of emphasis in Jensen’s offense, so the Utes need to make strides here connecting from deep.
As mentioned, Campbell led the way as a scorer and shooter, but Taison Chatman’s shot balance will be worth watching. He scored nine, 11 and 12 points, making six of 21 threes and five of eight shots inside the arc.
That is a small sample, but attacking closeouts and finding chances in the paint could give Chatman more ways to contribute when his outside shot is not falling.
Coach Jensen, Jaxon Johnson, and Taison Chatman talk about wrapping up the exhibition schedule and where the team is at heading into the regular season.
#GoUtes https://t.co/4jlYyeHMg6
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) October 29, 2026
Defensive activity creates needed offense
One of the real bright spots for the Runnin’ Utes was the defensive activity and what it translated to on the other end. Utah’s two wins featured 23 combined steals, 33 points off turnovers and 34 fast-break points.
However, it shined a light on what this team looks like when they aren’t as disruptive. Against Nevada, those totals fell to two steals, two points off turnovers and five fast-break points.
The difference showed how much defensive activity can help an inconsistent offense. Utah needs to create those opportunities against Long Beach State while also becoming more reliable when the game settles into the half court.
