Takeaways From Utah’s 83-62 Win Over Oklahoma State

Jan 12, 2025, 1:27 PM | Updated: 1:32 pm

Utah basketball's Ezra Ausar drives past Oklahoma State defender....

Jan 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) drives against Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jamyron Keller (14) during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

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BY STEVE BARTLE

Utah Insider

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah basketball earned an 83-62 win over Oklahoma State, which also served as their first Big 12 conference win.

The result, combined with the execution level throughout the game, has to serve as a confidence booster for Utah.

Craig Smith not only got good performances from multiple guys, but his squad seemed to play with a new standard of effort.

Utah 🏀 earn first Big 12 win, 83-62 over Oklahoma State. #GoUtes https://t.co/jLQEWRkd7A

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 12, 2025

Here are some key takeaways from the game…

Ezra Ausar’s big night, a very encouraging development

He registered a new season-high with 21 points and even missed a couple of easy ones. However, his production was a very positive sign of progress for him individually, and Utah as a whole.

With a shiny new season-high, @ezraausar is tonight's Player of the Game‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/S2hD20ARSd

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 12, 2025

Ausar had one of his better outings from the field. Even with the misses, he still converted 7-of-12 and finished around the rim quite well. Most importantly, he went 7-of-8 from the free throw line, making seven straight before his first miss. This sort of individual progress speaks to the work he’s put into it and the improved mental focus he brought to the game.

Overall, Ausar’s scoring production addressed a much-needed dynamic for the team. Gabe Madsen is Utah’s unquestioned top offensive option. However, opponents also know that and have made him the top defensive priority. Utah has lacked a clearly defined second option that can take advantage of the extra attention Madsen receives.

However, that’s exactly what Ausar did against Oklahoma State and their defensive game plan. This is not just an encouraging hope-it-continues type of thing. His scoring is unquestionably needed, while his potential emergence as the second option is almost a necessity for Utah.

Good ball movement for Utah

As a team, the Utes averaged 20.5 assists on the season and finished last night with 23 more. Eight different players registered at least 1 assist, and seven had at least 2. That speaks to the ball movement an improved finishing of scoring opportunities.

However, the ball movement prior to the “assists” was also quite good. Utah moved the ball side-to-side, inside and out, consistently moving with a good tempo throughout the night. The ball movement itself created a number of openings and scoring opportunities inside, and Utah capitalized.

Coach Smith wants more of a free-flowing offense, and having multiple players on the floor who can make good decisions is vital to that. Oklahoma State isn’t the best team on Utah’s schedule, but they are still a team that creates a lot of havoc. Utah took care of the ball and created quality scoring opportunities, that has to continue.

Progress in the turnover battle

Utah turned the ball over 18 times against Iowa State, which led to 25 points for the Cyclones. Coach Smith made it clear since that game that they need to take better care of the basketball. The Utes can’t afford to turn the ball over at that rate against most teams, but especially so in Big 12 play.

The Utes made progress in this regard against the Cowboys. They turned the ball over just 11 times and limited the Cowboys to just 9 points off those turnovers. Conversely, Utah also forced Oklahoma State into 11 turnovers, which led to 12 points for Utah.

Utah was dead last in the Big 12 in turnover margin through three conference games. However, they improved, going from -6.33 to -4.75 and moving up two spots in the ranking. Utah needs to continue improving, but that’s a good first step.

Utah’s bigs shined in this one

Along with Ausar, Jake Wahlin and Keanu Dawes also set new season highs in scoring. The two finished with 16 points apiece and did so in two very different ways.

Dawes feasted at the rim with five dunks on the night. He finished 8-of-10 overall, and all eight field goals came at the rim. He finished with 9 rebounds and finished with the lowest defensive rating (74.0), thanks to 7 defensive stops.

Have yourself a night, @keanu_28‼️ #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/I5kLOHihcc

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 12, 2025

Wahlin finished 5-of-5 overall, knocked down 3-of-3 from 3-point range, and went 3-of-3 from the free throw line. He also grabbed 4 rebounds, dished 3 assists, and looked more comfortable with the ball in his hands.

Utah needs these two to continue to produce and play with the purpose they did against the Cowboys. Wahlin looked confident in his decision-making; he didn’t hesitate on his 3-point looks and created for others on a couple of instances as well. Dawes finished scoring opportunities with authority on the night. He’s not only getting more involved, he’s getting more comfortable, and he’s producing at a very good rate.

Beyond those two, Lawson Lovering played a quietly good game. He had a couple of strong finishes at the rim and defended the other rim quite well. However, the most impressive thing about Lovering’s game was the 6 assists he was credited with. Coach Smith has long praised Lovering’s overall basketball ability and impact on the floor. Lovering didn’t luck into those assists; he made a few really impressive passes, perhaps even a no-looker or two.

The vision to find the open @ezraausar for the throwdown‼️

cc: @lawson_lovering #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/hSTMDJtjWV

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 12, 2025

Better defensive pressure, the new standard

Starting league play at Baylor, against Texas Tech at home, and at Iowa State, the Utes were provided a valuable lesson against conference contenders. Utah was introduced to serious competition in the Big 12 and what is required to succeed in this league. It requires not just talent but incredible defensive effort.

The Bears, Red Raiders, and Cyclones took it to Utah as each executed their offenses, and played with greater effort and toughness on the defensive end. Although Utah’s effort level improved against Iowa State, it lacked the necessary offensive execution to hang with the No. 3 team in the country.

Utah needed to establish a higher standard of play, and they did so against Oklahoma State. They opened the game with six consecutive defensive stops, which led to a 12-0 start. Throughout the game, they had multiple instances of consecutive stops. That allowed them to maintain their double-digit lead for about 35 minutes of this contest.

Utah limited the Cowboys to .899 points per possession and allowed them to score on just 42% of their 69 possessions. That sort of defensive effort will keep Utah in many games and help them win their fair share of them, too. They played more physically on the perimeter and swarmed shots inside. Utah did not do a great job on the boards, though, as the Cowboys grabbed 18 offensive rebounds, and that needs to be addressed moving forward.

Coach Smith and the players feel they better understand the standard of play needed to contend in the league. Now, it’s a matter of maintaining that standard and taking it on the road.