In making the jump from the American Athletic Conference’s East Carolina Pirates to the University of Utah and the Big 12 Conference, there was something of an adjustment period for Runnin’ Utes forward Ezra Ausar.
After a solid start to the non-conference season, it wasn’t a surprise that the former Pirates star had somewhat of a slow start to Big 12 play, scoring just three points against Baylor and four against Iowa State.
“I mean playing at East Carolina, which is in a good league, but obviously it’s not the Big 12,” Utah coach Craig Smith said on Monday.
More importantly than adjusting to a new conference, Ausar was also dealing with the death of a family member, attending a funeral as the Utes lost 93-65 at home to Texas Tech on Jan. 4.
“He’s been through some stuff here. He’s going through some very personal things. He went home for a death in the family,” Smith said after the BYU game.
Three days later, he was back on the court, but Utah was blown out at then-No. 3 Iowa State to drop to 0-3.
It wasn’t just Ausar, either, that was having trouble adjusting to the new level of competition in one of the nation’s best basketball conferences — the entire team was having a slow start and needed someone to step up.
Enter Ausar.
Since arriving back in Salt Lake City after the funeral, Smith noted that Ausar “had a different look to him.”
“I think he had a lot more purpose,” Smith said.
That showed in his play, with Ausar scoring 21 points in the school’s first Big 12 win over Oklahoma State, then playing his best game as a Ute against the rival Cougars, scoring 26 points on 73% shooting and grabbing six boards.
Smith and Ausar shared a hug after the big win, which marked a turning point in the junior’s trajectory in Salt Lake City.
“To me it was just really counting on myself, to me it was just confidence. I know I’ve just been fighting my own emotions and feelings and the best just came out. I feel like I’ve still got more to go,” Ausar said after the BYU win.
Aside from a one-point performance on the road against then-No. 7 Houston, Ausar has posted double-digit points in every game since the win over the Cougars, including a team-leading 19 points in a loss to Baylor and 18 in a road loss to Oklahoma State. He also had 11 points in the Utes’ win over Cincinnati.
What’s changed for Asuar? No. 1, Smith says, was adjusting to life in the Big 12 — especially the physicality.
“I feel like he’s really adjusted to Big 12 life and how physical and rugged it is and adjusted to the officiating and how the game is called for the most part on both ends of the floor,” Smith said.
Utah also adjusted its game plan to be more tailored to Asuar’s strengths, and as the season has gone on and he’s seen the results, his confidence has increased.
“He’s become a way better finisher, just become a lot more confident,” Smith said. “Confidence is an amazing thing in life and certainly when you’re out on that floor in front of a lot of people and doing your thing. I just think he’s hitting his stride as to who he is and what he is and what our system is. And he’s starting to flourish.”.
Reeling after an 81-72 loss at Oklahoma State — the Cowboys raced out to a 12-3 lead and led wire-to-wire for just their third conference win — Utah will need Ausar — and everyone else — to hit a new gear as it enters a crucial stretch in the schedule, starting with a home game against Colorado on Wednesday night.
“Obviously the record isn’t what they want it to be, but they have a lot of talent. They have a lot of weapons just like every team in the Big 12 does.”
— Utah coach Craig Smith on Colorado, which is winless in the Big 12
If there can be a “must-win” game in February, this is it. After their three-game win streak to get to .500 in league play, the Utes have lost three of four games ahead of the matchup with the Buffaloes, who are winless (0-10) in Big 12 play.
“Obviously the record isn’t what they want it to be, but they have a lot of talent. They have a lot of weapons just like every team in the Big 12 does,” Smith said. “And I feel like they played their best basketball, certainly in Big 12 play here, the last two or three games. I think they’re finally settling in on some players and playing certain guys more minutes.”
Getting back into the win column starts with playing better defense, something the Utes were lacking in the Oklahoma State defeat.
“We got to be better defensively to be able to go where we want to go, so that’s where my mindset is at,” Smith said. “Of course we got to fine tune on offense and we can be smoother with what we’re trying to accomplish that way, but let’s just keep growing as we push forward in February.”
“In this time of year, you’re a little bit in what some people would say are the dog days. It can be hard, but I don’t feel like that with this group. I don’t feel that at all. I feel like an attitude that craves improvement. I feel vigor where guys want to keep growing and getting better.”