SALT LAKE CITY \u2014 Monday night didn\u2019t need pyrotechnics or a dramatic unveiling to feel significant, it was the first true look at the Alex Jensen era at Utah \u2014 and from the opening tip, you could feel a fresh identity beginning to take shape.<\/p>\n
The energy was purposeful, the style was clear, and the foundation being laid looked like something sturdy enough to build a season \u2014 and a program \u2014 on.<\/p>\n
\ud835\uddd6\ud835\udde2\ud835\udde1\ud835\uddda\ud835\udde5\ud835\uddd4\ud835\udde7\ud835\udde8\ud835\udddf\ud835\uddd4\ud835\udde7\ud835\udddc\ud835\udde2\ud835\udde1\ud835\udde6, \ud835\uddd6\ud835\udde2\ud835\uddd4\ud835\uddd6\ud835\udddb\u203c\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/LxXvLdPy70<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Seydou Traore proved to be pretty dynamic for the Runnin\u2019 Utes. Keanu Dawes finished with a near double-double. Utah\u2019s guards looked noticeably more dynamic.<\/p>\n The Utes opened the season with a 7:00 p.m. home tip against San Jose State, and while the crowd wasn\u2019t quite \u201csold out and snarling,\u201d it was noticeably better than your typical early-November shrug of a turnout.<\/p>\n People are curious. People want to believe. And for the first time in a while, Utah basketball looked like a team with a defined identity.<\/p>\n A New Starting Five With New Energy<\/p>\n Jensen rolled out a starting lineup that provided an idea of what to expect:<\/p>\n Terrence Brown \u2013 Don McHenry \u2013 Seydou Traore \u2013 Josh Hayes \u2013 Keanu Dawes<\/p>\n Athleticism. Versatility. Guards who can actually create advantages off the bounce. Wings who can defend multiple spots. And, most importantly, athletes who can play downhill.<\/p>\n Utah was missing two rotation bigs \u2014 James Okonkwo (serving a three-game transfer eligibility hold) and Ibi Traore (nearing return from last year\u2019s injury) \u2014 so Jensen leaned into the athleticism. And it paid off.<\/p>\n .@keanu_28<\/a> right down Main Street #GoUtes<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/GDJPXOQBFb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n This Backcourt Changes the Math<\/p>\n Let\u2019s just say it plainly: last year\u2019s offense too often resembled wet cement. It moved, technically, but nobody was going anywhere fast.<\/p>\n Enter Terrence Brown and Don McHenry, who wasted no time showing they are here to break people down.<\/p>\n McHenry finished with 16 points, repeatedly collapsing the defense off straight-line drives.<\/p>\n Brown scored 12 points and while 4 assists before the break, controlling tempo like a guy who\u2019s been doing it for years.<\/p>\n They didn\u2019t just score \u2014 they forced San Jose State to rotate, scramble, and respect Utah\u2019s guards in a way opponents simply didn\u2019t last season. That pressure is how you get open threes, backdoor cuts, and real offensive rhythm. Utah finally looked modern.<\/p>\n Seydou Traore: The Real Deal<\/p>\n Utah fans are going to fall in love with Seydou Traore very fast.<\/p>\n He\u2019s a playmaking forward \u2014 the type of guy who does a little bit of everything without looking like he\u2019s trying to do everything. He put the ball on the floor, made sharp reads, finished with force around the rim, and hit multiple threes with confidence. And when Utah needed someone to take control? He did exactly that.<\/p>\n San Jose State took a 64\u201363 lead with 9:14 left. Time for someone to take responsibility. Traore did.<\/p>\n Corner three \u2192 66\u201364 Utah<\/p>\n Transition and-one \u2192 69\u201364<\/p>\n Another three a few possessions later \u2192 75\u201366<\/p>\n Just like that, Utah ripped off a 12\u20132 run, and the game never swung back.<\/p>\n That\u2019s what a go-to player looks like. Not theatrical. Just decisive.<\/p>\n He finished the night with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 18 of which came in the second half.<\/p>\n 5th triple for @iamseydou35<\/a> gives him a new CAREER-HIGH (23 points) and extends our lead against the Spartans!#GoUtes<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/AfBYzghbo4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Then Utah found some contributions Sanders, who knocked down a 3-pointer before adding a layup off of an offensive rebound. That served as the nail in the coffin for the game.<\/p>\n Other Notables<\/p>\n Jacob Patrick looked like a prototypical 3-and-D wing \u2014 went 2-for-4 from deep and played tougher on-ball defense than scouting reports suggested.<\/p>\n Freshmen Kendyl Sanders and Obomate Abbey didn\u2019t look overwhelmed. That matters. If even one of them becomes a nightly contributor, Utah\u2019s rotation ceiling jumps.<\/p>\n Utah\u2019s perimeter defense flashed \u2014 in key moments of real, aggressive ball pressure \u2014 but also faded for stretches. Jensen will turn that from occasional to habitual. That\u2019s coming.<\/p>\n The Takeaway<\/p>\n This wasn\u2019t a statement win. This was a good first step for Jensen at the helm.<\/p>\n A clear offensive philosophy centered around ball and player movement<\/p>\n Dynamic backcourt ability that changes spacing<\/p>\n A forward in Traore who can create offense<\/p>\n A team playing with energy, toughness<\/p>\n This team clearly has need for improvement and many areas to make progress. They need greater consistency on the defensive end. Adding reinforcements inside with Okonkwo and I. Traore will help too.<\/p>\n But for an opening night, in the first steps of a new era, Utah basketball looked like something fans can get behind again.<\/p>\n Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE<\/a>) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You\u00a0can follow him on X<\/a>\u00a0for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.
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