The night the Kansas Jayhawks first stepped onto the court at the Huntsman Center will forever be a cherished memory for University of Utah fans.
That’s because the Runnin’ Utes pulled off a thrilling 74-67 victory against the No. 17 Jayhawks on Saturday night, never once trailing in a hard-fought battle that showcased their ability to compete with the best in the Big 12. "It was the best game we played all year from start to finish," Utah coach Craig Smith proudly stated. "We played really disciplined basketball."
A Statement Win for Utah
For Utah, this win wasn’t just another tally in the victory column—it was their first Quad 1 win of the season after previously going 0-9. Even sweeter, it came against a powerhouse program, making it a defining moment in their inaugural Big 12 season. The Utes (14-11, 6-8 Big 12) had been struggling, especially following back-to-back road losses against West Virginia and Cincinnati, where late-game execution failed them. But this time, they proved they could finish strong against elite competition.
The win also marked Utah’s first victory over a ranked opponent at home since they edged out No. 14 BYU 73-69 on December 9, 2023. More than just numbers, it was a confidence booster, a testament to their grit, and a step toward proving they belong among the Big 12’s elite.
Utah’s Fast Start and Kansas’ Fightback
From the get-go, Utah came out swinging, opening the game on a 13-5 run. But Kansas wasn’t going down easily. Twice—once in each half—the Jayhawks held Utah scoreless for extended stretches, making it seem like they were poised to steal the game away. Utah countered with a crucial 10-3 run early in the second half, creating a double-digit cushion at 60-49. The tension escalated when Kansas head coach Bill Self was hit with a technical, and Gabe Madsen capitalized by sinking both free throws.
However, the Jayhawks (17-8, 8-6 Big 12) weren’t done. Over the next seven minutes, Kansas methodically chipped away at Utah’s lead, using an 11-0 surge to tie the game at 60-60. Suddenly, the momentum seemed to shift.
Utah’s Clutch Rebounding and Madsen’s Record-Breaking Moment
Just when it looked like the game might slip away, Utah turned to one of its most effective weapons—offensive rebounding. With 4:20 left, Ezra Ausar snatched a critical offensive board off a Madsen miss and put it back in, giving the Utes a 62-60 lead. That single play underscored Utah’s dominance on the glass, where they held a decisive 16-6 edge in offensive rebounds and a 14-9 advantage in second-chance points.
The defining moment came with 1:58 left when Madsen drilled a stepback three-pointer, pushing Utah’s lead to 67-60. That shot wasn’t just a clutch bucket—it was history in the making. It marked Madsen’s 288th career three-pointer, surpassing Nick Jacobson as Utah’s all-time leader in made threes.
"It’s really rewarding. He’s such a great kid," Smith said of Madsen’s milestone. "All he cares about is winning. It’s all he cares about."
Closing Out the Win
Kansas made one final push, trimming the lead to 67-62, but Utah’s Mike Sharavjamts delivered a crucial layup with 54.2 seconds remaining. The Jayhawks cut it to five points once more, but Utah calmly iced the game from the free-throw line, securing a hard-earned win.
Sophomore Jake Wahlin, who recorded his first career double-double with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists, reflected on the significance of the victory. "Learning to finish a game is a skill. It feels good," he said.
Defensive Grit and Utah’s Key Contributors
Utah’s defense was a major factor, particularly in neutralizing Kansas’ All-American center Hunter Dickinson, who was limited to 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Lawson Lovering and Caleb Lohner took turns guarding Dickinson, making life difficult for the Jayhawks’ star big man.
"I think we just have some versatile lineups, and we can make some switches when we need to," Madsen noted. "We had a good game plan coming in, and we made some good changes throughout the game."
The Utes also forced Kansas into 12 turnovers while only committing seven themselves, leading to a decisive 22-7 advantage in points off turnovers—another key factor in their victory. Self acknowledged that turnovers and rebounding were the decisive elements, saying, "They kicked our butt on the glass, and then our turnovers led to points for them. That was the biggest difference."
Standout Performances
Beyond Madsen’s record-breaking night, Utah had several other standout contributors. Madsen finished with a game-high 24 points, sinking five three-pointers, four of which came in the first half. Ausar added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Keanu Dawes grabbed 10 rebounds off the bench.
Looking Ahead
Utah’s schedule doesn’t get any easier. Just two days later, they host Kansas State, a formidable opponent that had been riding a six-game winning streak before falling to BYU. While the Utes can enjoy this victory momentarily, the challenge of maintaining consistency remains.
For Wahlin, this win carried extra emotional weight. "I don’t know why, but I gave my mom a big hug after, and it’s the first time I’ve gotten emotional about basketball in a long time. It felt really good—particularly this one," he admitted. "We’ve had some tough breaks recently, but we believe in each other. Even though it’s mid-February, there’s still a lot of basketball left, and we’re all committed to finishing this thing."
The win over Kansas wasn’t just about one game—it was about proving that Utah belongs on this stage. Now, it’s about making sure this kind of performance becomes the norm rather than the exception.
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