Takeaways From Utah’s 87-72 Loss To UCF In Big 12 Tournament Opener
Mar 11, 2025, 11:06 PM | Updated: Mar 12, 2025, 10:48 am
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 11: Keanu Dawes #8 of the Utah Utes dunks as Keyshawn Hall #4 of the UCF Knights and Jake Wahlin #10 of the Utah Utes look on during the first round game of the Big 12 men's basketball tournament at T-Mobile Center on March 11, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY—In the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament, Utah lost to UCF 87-72, a tough result that ended a tough season.
The Runnin’ Utes got off to a strong start, and built a 12-point lead in the first half. Unfortunately, the defense relaxed and UCF got going offensively.
This game highlighted season-long issues for Utah and provided an idea of what is needed this offseason.
Keanu Dawes is Utah’s future
Dawes showed a lot of heart in the 38 minutes he played tonight. He finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds, seemingly doing all he could to keep Utah in the game.
Dawes battled for every rebound and relentlessly attacked the rim. He shot the ball efficiently from the field and the line while disrupting things defensively.
There is much work to be done, but Dawes embodied what Runnin’ Utes basketball is all about tonight. He genuinely looked like a cornerstone piece for Alex Jensen to begin rebuilding Utah basketball. Whatever it takes to keep him in a Utah uniform is absolutely necessary for the program.
And make no mistake, players like Jake Wahlin and Ezra Ausar are absolutely must-keep as well. There’s even a solid core to hang onto beyond these three. Dawes just showed a lot tonight, as he has all season long.
Lack of offensive firepower
This is where Ezra Ausar’s absence was felt most; Utah lacked the offensive firepower tonight. Outside of Dawes hustling for rebounds and putbacks, no one else could really score against UCF, which is not the toughest defensive team.
Without Dawes’s numbers, the rest of the team finished 19-of-55 from the floor for a 34.5% clip. There were too many misses on quality looks and an inability to create scoring opportunities at times. Watching UCF’s Keyshawn Hall and Jordan Ivy-Curry knock down shots and create off the dribble only illuminated the Utes’ offensive issues.
This is more of a reflection of the season overall, not just tonight. Still, Utah didn’t have a dynamic scorer—someone who could score at all three levels to provide Utah’s offense with options and the ability to adapt. Ausar was closest to being that type of scorer, but teams could pack it in defensively without the threat of a jump shot (he was just 1-of-14 from 3).
Utah needs more offensive ability next season, players who can score in a variety of ways.
Utah needs more from its backcourt
Utah’s leading scorer on the season finished the game with 10 points on 2-of-10 shooting, mostly 2-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. The starting point guard finished 3-of-12 from the field and 0-of-6 from 3-point range.
Gabe Madsen could not find his shot, and without Ezra Ausar in this one, his inability to score in other ways really limited Utah’s offense. Sharavjamts finished the game fairly productive with 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, but his 25% field-goal shooting was too costly. Two of the team’s top three highest usage rates have to produce more than that.
Both have shown a ton of ability and produced at a high level at times this season. Unfortunately tonight the inconsistency hurt Utah’s chances at a win.
In the Big 12, dynamic backcourts are key to success. With Madsen moving on, Utah will clearly be in the market for a quality scorer. Sharavjamts is a talent but his lack of assertiveness makes him better suited as a secondary option. Looking to future, Utah will need to address theirs significantly this offseason.
A complete reset in identity and culture
Jensen will finish out the season with the Dallas Mavericks, but whenever he officially takes over the program, he’ll have his work cut out for him.
Not only does Utah need improved offensive talent, but it must also completely reset its identity and culture. This team has lacked in the details that have hurt execution, often due to carelessness and mindlessness.
Greater accountability needs to exist in offensive execution, not just in terms of protecting the ball but also in terms of creating and taking quality shots. Attention to detail is apparent on both ends of the floor, whether it be mindlessly stepping out of bounds with the ball, not being in the right position to execute a play, or missing a defensive assignment.
Utah needs to be an elite defensive team. Effort is only part of that equation and this team, to their credit, played with a lot of effort on that end. To be elite, it’s the attention to detail and precision in execution that is all the difference and that is where Utah lacked.
Resetting the culture will take time and a collective effort to build it the right way. Jensen will need a more process-oriented approach to genuinely develop that culture, his players, and the team overall.
UP NEXT – The College Basketball Crown Tournament?
Despite the loss, Utah might be headed for post-season play. The College Basketball Crown is a new 16-team men’s postseason tournament that will take place from March 31 to April 6 in Las Vegas and air on FOX and FS1.
The tournament will feature schools from the Big Ten, Big 12 and Big East, in addition to at-large participants. Teams that did not participate for the NCAA Tournament will be eligible for the event, with two automatic qualifiers coming from each participating conference, and additional teams chosen by a select committee.
Beyond that, the offseason is nearly upon us and there will be plenty for Alex Jensen and Utah to do. Given Craig Smith’s firing, the transfer portal is open to Utah players, however, it’s important to note that the portal doesn’t officially open nationwide until March 24.
