Craig Smith’s team left Saturday’s win with more answers than BYU’s Kevin Young
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Utah Utes guard Hunter Erickson (0) drives the ball to the hoop during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Not only does Utah carry bragging rights over BYU with the 73-72 win, but Craig Smith’s team left Saturday’s win with more answers than BYU’s Kevin Young.
Both men entered the weekend with question marks, whiteboard formulas and the hope of finding some momentum. Smith prevailed in that quest.
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Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) celebrates after scoring a basket during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13) knocks a shot by Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) out of the air during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Mason Madsen (45) drives the ball to the basket during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes players celebrate on the sidelines after scoring a basket during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Mike Sharavjamts (25) attempts to block a shot by Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) dribbles the ball down the court during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) puts up a shot while being guarded by Utah Utes forward Jake Wahlin (10) during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) drives to the basket while being guarded by Utah Utes guard Mike Sharavjamts (25) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) puts up a shot during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) and Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) both battle for a rebound during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) drives towards the basket to dunk the ball during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) dribbles the ball against Utah Utes guard Mason Madsen (45) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) puts up a shot while being guarded by Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13), guarded by Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34), loses control of the ball while driving towards the basket during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) puts up a 3 during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) and Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) both battle for rebound during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) dunks the ball during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes forward Caleb Lohner (11) puts up a shot while being guarded by Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) dribbles the ball down the court during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Kanon Catchings (6) reaches over Utah Utes guard Mason Madsen (45) for a loose ball during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13) knocks a shot made by Utah Utes guard Mason Madsen (45) out of the air during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) attempts to drive through Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) and forward Mawot Mag (0) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) dribbles the ball down the court during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) dunks the ball during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) and Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) both compete in a tip off at the start of overtime during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Hunter Erickson (0) drives the ball to the hoop during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Miro Little (1) celebrates with teammates after Utah’s victory over the Brigham Young Cougars in a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young argues with a referee during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans taunt Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young after a referee call during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars teammates celebrate from the sideline after a 3-pointer by forward Mawot Mag (0) during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) steals the ball from Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes players celebrate after their victory over the Brigham Young Cougars after a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Trey Stewart (1) reaches for a loose ball against Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) and guard Gabe Madsen (55) during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13) and Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) both battle for a jump ball during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) dribbles towards the basket while being guarded by Utah Utes forward Jake Wahlin (10) during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) puts up a shot during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) puts up a shot while being guarded by Utah Utes forward Jake Wahlin (10) during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
A big part of the answer came in how Smith utilizes junior Ezra Ausar, an 11.2 points-a-game power forward who led the Utes during a personal second-half 8-0 run and ended up with a season-high 26 points.
At several stages of Ausar’s performance, BYU had no answer for his baseline moves and power dunks.
“I don’t know what got into him,” Utah coach Craig Smith said of his leading scorer, “but it needs to happen all the time.
“What a game. It’s obviously a lot easier for me to say that. These rivalry games, you just throw everything out the door. Fortunately for us we were able to make one more play.”
As for the Cougars, Young will head to Boulder with his team still searching for a road-win formula, one that includes finding an alpha dog to finish games, a plan to not give up leads in the second half, and a quick fix to some horrible free throw shooting.
If BYU can’t find a way to make more free throws, especially with the game on the line, it will be a hard, painful road in weeks to come in this league.
BYU shot 40% from the free-throw line (4 of 10) Saturday night in the Huntsman Center. That included senior and team leader Trevin Knell whiffing the front end of a one-and-one with five seconds to play and a chance to either add another overtime session or win the game outright.
Before that, Young got Fouss Traore, his leading scorer and most accurate shooter, the ball in the paint twice in crunch time. His shot bounced off the side of the rim both times.
As for free throw shooting, the Cougars didn’t get much chance to practice that art form in this game. Utah had a whopping 22 more free throws (32 to 10), ultimately the difference in the game.
Folks will argue for a while why the Utes’ Hunter Erickson earned a foul and ultimately the winning free throw shot in overtime after executing a penetrating drive and shot attempt, while BYU’s Dawson Baker did the same and came away empty-handed. But that is all wiped out with Knell’s misfire at his golden opportunity to just win the game with a couple of free throws with seconds left.
“We’ve got to learn how to win close games,” Young said afterward. “I just told our club in there that you win and lose games on the margins. We have come up short too many times and that’s disappointing.”
BYU is 0-4 in games decided by 5 points or fewer and 0-2 in OT games.
In related news, BYU is ranked 308th in Kenpom's "Luck" rating.
No, the road isn’t going to get easier for Utah or BYU, but it was good to see both programs playing in the same league and packing an arena, bringing the passion and effort.
The rematch in Provo in March will be equally as intense and fun to watch.
West Virginia knocked off No. 2 Iowa State on Saturday 64-57, Kansas took care of Kansas State 84-74, Houston had to go down to the wire with UCF for a 69-68 win. Cincinnati took care of ASU 67-60, Texas Tech upset Arizona 70-54 and struggling Oklahoma State beat Colorado 83-73.
Perhaps BYU will find a road celebration in Colorado this week. If not, Young will have a very grumpy team to baby-sit in the coming days.
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