The Utah Utes find themselves at the bottom of the Big 12 standings with a disappointing 9-10 record, struggling to find their footing as they have yet to secure a win on the road this season, currently sitting at 0-5 away from home. Their conference performance has also been underwhelming, with a mere 1-5 record against league opponents.
Recent history has not favored the Utes, as illustrated by an 89-84 loss to BYU at the Huntsman Center—an outcome that added further frustration, marking the first time the Cougars had emerged victorious there since 2021. Since that defeat, the Utes have managed only one win in their last three games, enduring losses to ranked opponents No. 12 Texas and Kansas State, which was a hard-fought 81-74 game.
The upcoming challenge for Utah looms large as they prepare to face BYU, where they have struggled historically, winning only once in Provo since 2014 and losing 11 of their last 12 matchups at the Marriott Center. The Cougars have established a formidable offense, averaging 85 points per game, while Utah is the second-worst defensive team in the conference, surrendering an alarming 86.5 points on average.
The Utes’ lone bright spot has been junior guard Terrance Brown, a transfer from Fairleigh Dickinson who is leading the team and the conference with 143 points in Big 12 play. Coming off a notable 33-point performance against Kansas State, Brown has solidified his role as the Utes’ primary scoring option. However, the lack of consistent support around him has been a significant barrier to Utah’s success. Forwards Keanu Dawes and Seydou Traore have contributed, but their overall production has not been enough to keep pace in high-scoring contests.
Senior guard Don McHenry is another key player whose performance will be critical for Utah. Averaging 18.1 points per game while shooting nearly 40% from three, McHenry’s recent dip in form puts additional pressure on Brown to deliver. As the Utes prepare to battle their rivals, they face a pivotal moment in their season—either rally to reverse their fortunes or succumb to a mounting losing streak.
The Utes will look to harness the intensity of rivalry as they seek to upset BYU at the Marriott Center. With a tipoff at 3:30 p.m. and the game available for viewing on FOX, fans will be eager to see if Utah can turn the tide and reignite their season in what has been a challenging campaign. Despite the struggles, the Utes have an opportunity to reignite the passion of their supporters and reclaim some pride against their long-standing rivals.