We owe them one,” Ausar said first when the pair was asked about Utah’s Big 12 tournament first-round opponent, UCF. “Yeah, we owe them one, so get the win. Simple,” Little quickly quipped. That moment of decisiveness from the two Runnin’ Utes is a microcosm of the togetherness this current group of players and coaches is trying to finish the season with.
The odds were stacked against Utah going into its final game of the regular season on the road against No. 23 BYU.
Alex Jensen introduced himself to the Runnin' Utes over Zoom. Utah’s new basketball coach spoke to Craig Smith’s former staff, now led by interim head coach Josh Eilert. He also spoke to Utah’s players.
BYU basketball coach Kevin Young said his team is 'ready to take the world on' in the Big 12 tournament after concluding the regular season with eight straight wins
The Utes were one week removed from beating Kansas and Kansas State. They were a tick under .500 in Big 12 play, and they had a manageable stretch upcoming — so manageable that it was easy to envision the Utes, who were picked dead last in the Big 12’s preseason media poll, finishing as high as sixth or seventh place.