Thu Jan 08 04:30:00 UTC 2026: Headline: Utah Utes Face Big 12 Realities After Loss to Top-Ranked Arizona
The Story:
The University of Utah Runnin’ Utes, under the leadership of coach Alex Jensen, faced a tough reality check in their Big 12 opener, losing to No. 1 Arizona by a score of 19 points. Despite showing glimpses of resilience by narrowing a 17-point deficit, the Utes ultimately succumbed to Arizona’s balanced attack and physicality. Coach Jensen emphasized the importance of controlling what they can control and learning from the experience, especially for the team’s many newcomers facing the intensity of Big 12 play. The Utes now turn their attention to a matchup against Colorado, focusing on internal improvements rather than solely on the opponent’s strengths.
Key Points:
* Utah lost to No. 1 Arizona by 19 points in their Big 12 opener.
* The Utes are 8-6 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play.
* Coach Alex Jensen stressed the importance of “controlling what you can control” and learning from the loss.
* The team has 12 newcomers, many of whom experienced the physicality of Big 12 play for the first time.
* Utah’s next game is against Colorado, who is 11-3 overall and 1-0 in Big 12.
* Utah is adding walk-on center Colin McHaney to the roster to help with front-court depth.
Critical Analysis:
The game against Arizona serves as a crucial learning experience for a young Utah team transitioning into a tougher conference. Coach Jensen is clearly focused on building a foundation and developing his players, acknowledging the challenges posed by a roster in flux due to injuries and inexperience. The focus on internal development suggests a long-term vision for the program, prioritizing growth over immediate results. The reference to the Ole Miss win highlights that their approach can lead to victory when executed well.
Key Takeaways:
- The loss to Arizona exposed the current gap between Utah and the top teams in the Big 12, particularly in physicality and experience.
- Coach Jensen is using the game as a teaching moment, reinforcing his core philosophies and preparing the team for the rigors of conference play.
- The addition of a walk-on center signals a proactive approach to addressing depth issues, despite the limitations.
- Utah’s success will depend on the rapid development of its freshmen and the ability to minimize controllable errors.
- The upcoming game against Colorado presents an opportunity for Utah to demonstrate its progress and secure a valuable conference win.
Impact Analysis:
The Utes’ performance in their early Big 12 games will significantly shape perceptions of the program’s trajectory under Coach Jensen. A strong showing against Colorado could boost morale and provide a much-needed confidence boost. Conversely, continued struggles could raise concerns about the team’s readiness for the competitive conference environment. The development of young players like Kendyl Sanders, Obomate Abbey, and Ibi Traore is crucial for the long-term success of the program and will be closely watched as the season progresses. The news article indicates that this is a team in transition and how they respond to challenges in this first Big 12 season will impact recruiting.
First Piper 