Utah coach Craig Smith has coached teams against UH multiple times in the last few years – at South Dakota, at Utah State, and twice at Utah. He praised Houston after the game, saying they play big boy basketball. He also said it was difficult for players to understand what they are getting into when they go to Fertitta Center. “I have a feel for (UH players), but its hard to always translate that through film to your players,” Smith said.
During Houston’s 18-0 run in the first half, Utah only attempted five shots (two were blocked) and had seven turnovers.
In Utah’s 15 minutes between two-point field goals in the first half, UH forced 13 turnovers on 10 teams and four blocks.
In UH’s 16-0 run from the end of the first half until the 12:47 point, Utah was 0/9 with six turnovers, and UH had two blocks.
Utah’s starters combined for 16 points and 13 turnovers on 6/28 (21.4%) shooting.
UH blocked three shots by 7’1″ Lawson Lovering. He blocked zero.
Milos Uzan took an official visit to Utah before signing with Houston. He was 6/9 for 14 points and five assists.
UH’s 19 steals are the most by a P5 team this year. Nineteen steals is tied for the most by a P5 team in the last three years with Iowa State (2023-24) and Texas Tech (2022-23).
Utah has never played in a game with 19 steals – by the Utes or their opponent.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, Utah’s 36 points are tied for the fewest in a Big 12 regular-season game. There have been approximately 2500 conference games in the league’s history.
Houston edged Utah in points off turnovers, 29-2.
Their 13 field goals are one more than the Utah school record for fewest ever.
On Wednesday morning, Utah was 11th nationally in assist/turnover ratio. After a single game in Houston, they fell to 29th.
Their 36 points were the school’s second-fewest since they beat New Mexico 34-32 on January 31, 1976. Each team scored 10 points in the second half.
The 34-point margin of defeat is the fifth-largest the Utes have suffered – tying the 99-65 game at Illinois on Nov. 25, 1983.
Utah was 6/19 on layups.