WACO, Texas — It was the kind of homecoming that could have gone better on the court for a pair of key Utah basketball players.
Still, it was a moment to take notice as two Utes donned a different uniform at their former home.
Forward Caleb Lohner and guard Miro Little returned to Waco, Texas, and Baylor’s Foster Pavilion on Tuesday in the Runnin’ Utes’ first Big 12 conference game since joining the league.
The result was a humbling 81-56 loss for Utah against the No. 25 Bears.
Lohner, who played the past two seasons at Baylor after two years at BYU, came off the bench and played 17 minutes, as he finished with 4 points, a team-high seven rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot to go with three turnovers.
Little, who was a true freshman at Baylor last season before heading to Salt Lake City, started at point guard for Utah, though he struggled like many of his teammates on the offensive end — he missed all nine of his field goal attempts (five from 3-point range), but did add three assists and two rebounds to one turnover.
“It means maybe a little bit more, right? And sometimes it can put a little bit more undue pressure on you, because you just want to, you know, go,” said Utah coach Craig Smith.
“... We love those guys. And I’m sure it meant a little bit more to them. They didn’t say it to me, and I didn’t ask. So obviously, they would have liked to probably have a little better homecoming, so to speak.”
The matchup gave both players a chance to catch up with some former Baylor colleagues.
“Love Miro and Caleb, except when we have to play against them,” Bears coach Scott Drew said.
There will be a rematch at Little and Lohner’s new home — Utes will host Baylor at the Huntsman Center on Saturday, Jan. 25.
The chance for Lohner and Little to play against their old team gave both coaches the opportunity to talk positively about the pair.
“As I’m watching film, you’re watching them and you’re like, you love their development and growth, and hopefully we helped with a little bit of that,” Drew said.
“But both of them are great teammates, high character individuals. Nothing but love for them and respect. And happy that they’re playing well. We’ll be cheering for them each and every night.”
The respect goes both ways — Smith said Lohner and Little have been complimentary of their time at Baylor.
“Both are super positive about Baylor. They say nothing but great things about their experience at Baylor — living here, the coaching staff, their teammates, nothing but positive,” Utah’s coach said.