Discover the Excitement of KU Sports: Your Ultimate Guide to Jayhawk Athletics

AP Photo/Bethany Baker

Kansas guard Dajuan Harris Jr. protects the ball during a game against Utah on February 15, 2025, in Salt Lake City.

This time, the Kansas men’s basketball team faced a tough challenge and never managed to lead the game. After a disappointing loss to Kansas State the week before, they fell again, this time against Utah, with a final score of 74-67.

Utah had moments where they struggled to score, including stretches where they went over five minutes without a point. Despite this, the Jayhawks repeatedly fought to tie the game but couldn’t take the lead. A critical 7-0 run after they tied the game at 60 sealed their fate.

Utah’s Gabe Madsen showcased his talent by scoring 24 points, including a pivotal three-pointer that made him the program’s all-time leader in three-point field goals. The Jayhawks knew he was a player to watch, but they struggled to contain him.

Kansas center Hunter Dickinson reflected on the game, noting how their opponent can quickly switch from hot to cold but pointed out that they couldn’t capitalize when Utah cooled down. Dickinson himself had a tough shooting night, hitting only four of his twelve attempts.

The Utes not only made their shots but also secured crucial second-chance points from offensive rebounds. Utah grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, which contributed significantly to their win. Kansas, on the other hand, could not rebound effectively, and their turnovers led to points for Utah—elements that proved vital in determining the game’s outcome.

Coach Bill Self acknowledged that missed assignments played a part as well. The Jayhawks also struggled with close-range shots, finishing just 7-for-19 on layups. Madsen’s early three-pointers put Kansas in a difficult position, as they found themselves trailing early on.

Even when the Jayhawks began to close the gap, the Utes responded effectively. At halftime, Utah held a slim 39-37 lead. In the second half, Kansas found themselves battling to make up lost ground, but foul trouble and turnovers made it harder to execute their game plan.

In a final effort, Dickinson hit a late three-pointer to bring the score to 70-65. But in the end, the Utes maintained their lead and closed out the game with free throws.

With this loss, Kansas fell to 17-8 and 8-6 in their conference play. Upsetting losses like this remind the team how crucial it is to stay focused and capitalize on opportunities. Their next challenge will be against BYU in Utah.