Latest news with #Runnin'Utes
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What former Utes star Branden Carlson learned about becoming a champion from the OKC Thunder
Branden Carlson went from undrafted free agent in June 2024 to NBA champion in June 2025. That's quite a year for the former Runnin' Utes standout, though he downplays the accomplishment when it's brought up. 'It was a lot of fun and it's a great team to be a part of,' Carlson said of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 'Obviously, winning is always the goal, and so being a part of a winning team, and winning your last game of the season feels great.' Carlson wasn't on the court during the Thunder's playoff run to an NBA title — as a two-way player, he isn't eligible for postseason play — but he certainly helped the Thunder as they worked to maintain the No. 1 overall regular-season record and secure home-court advantage for the playoffs. When the Thunder ran into a rash of injuries to their frontcourt players, they brought in Carlson, who had been playing for the Toronto Raptors' G League team. After a short stint and consecutive 10-day deals, the Thunder offered Carlson a two-way contract. Then, while in Utah this past week for Salt Lake City Summer League, despite not playing in the summer showcase because of an ankle sprain, he agreed to return to the Thunder for the 2025-26 season on another two-way deal. It's not hard to see the reason that both sides are happy about this union. Carlson is learning from some of the very best players in the NBA, including the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and he's seen that the Thunder deeply care about developing from within and giving players opportunities. Look no further than Lu Dort, who was also an undrafted two-way player for the Thunder before becoming the team's lead defender and a starter in every single game of its championship run. From OKC's side, Carlson is a tenacious center who plays a modern style of basketball with quick feet and the ability to stretch the floor. Frankly, he fits the bill for how the Thunder play now and want to continue to play in the future. And it doesn't matter to Carlson that two-way players aren't able to play in the playoffs, because he can't put a price tag on the lessons he's learned just being a part of a team that has been to the absolute peak of professional basketball. 'You just learn the adversity that a team can face and individuals can face and how to overcome that,' he told the Deseret News. 'You learn more about yourself and how to be a teammate. There's just so many things you can take away from just watching it and being around guys who have been there and made it happen.' Last summer, when Carlson was playing for the Raptors during Las Vegas Summer League, he'd been a little disappointed that he didn't end up on one of the four teams that played in the SLC Summer League. This summer, he was overjoyed to return to the Huntsman Center and as an NBA champion. 'I thought about it a lot last year when I was at summer league,' he said. 'So it's fun to be, part of a team that is back here, and obviously see some family and friends and be back in this arena. It's just really great.'
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Utah has parted ways with men's basketball coach Craig Smith
Utah is making an abrupt change to its men's basketball program. The school announced Monday that it has parted ways with Runnin' Utes head coach Craig Smith. Assistant coach Josh Eilert will serve as Utah's interim head coach for the remainder of the current campaign. The news was first reported by insider Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68. BREAKING: Utah is parting ways with Craig Smith, source told @TheFieldOf68. Strange timing. Utah is 7-9 in the Big 12. — Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 24, 2025 'I want to thank Craig for his work and commitment since he arrived in Salt Lake City,' Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said in a statement. 'He has led us to special moments and memorable victories, and Craig has poured his heart into building our current team. However, we have greater aspirations for our men's basketball program, both within the Big 12 Conference and nationally, and our expectation is to regularly compete in the NCAA Tournament. 'After evaluating our program under Craig's leadership, I believe a change is needed to get us to where we want to go. The time is now to begin that process, and we will surround Coach Eilert, the staff and our student-athletes with support as they continue with their season.' Smith was wrapping up his fourth season at Utah, having compiled a record of 65-62 with no NCAA Tournament appearances. The timing of Smith's dismissal is rather surprising. The Runnin' Utes are 15-12 on the season and a respectable 7-9 in the Big 12, having just captured impressive victories over Kansas State and Kansas in the past 10 days. Prior to arriving in Salt Lake City, Smith spent seven years between both South Dakota and Utah State, reaching two NCAA Tournaments with the Aggies. Smith has a career head coaching record of 218-141.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 keys to Utah's 72-61 loss at West Virginia
Utah's road woes continued, as the Runnin' Utes lost at West Virginia 72-61 on Saturday afternoon. Toby Okani was huge for the Mountaineers in the first half and finished with nine points, and Javon Small came on strong, scoring 14 points, dishing out eight assists and grabbing four rebounds. Keanu Dawes led the Utes with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Here are three keys to another Big 12 road loss for the Utes. After Utah forward Keanu Dawes hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 24-24 with four minutes remaining in the first half, West Virginia responded with a 10-3 run to close out the half and give the Mountaineers their biggest lead yet. Okani was the catalyst in the run, starting it off with a layup. He also had a steal that led to a fast-break layup by Joseph Yesufu and finished the half off with a 3-pointer to boost West Virginia's lead to 36-27. Prior to Okani's final 3-pointer of the half, he blocked Utah center Lawson Lovering, bringing the sold-out WVU Coliseum to its collective feet. The closing run gave West Virginia all of the momentum heading into the second half, and Utah was never unable to overcome the deficit. West Virginia entered the game with one of the toughest defenses in the Big 12, and it showed against a Utah team that has struggled on offense over the last few games. Only two Utah players scored in double-digits on Saturday — Dawes with 14 and Jake Wahlin with 10, and the Utes had just 11 assists. West Virginia's ball pressure made it tough for Utah to get into its actions constantly and forced the Utes into some tough shots. Utah shot just 41.1% from the field and 26.1% from 3, and while the Utes turned the ball over just 10 times compared to 15 earlier this week against Colorado, those turnovers led to 16 West Virginia points. In the loss, Dawes had another double-digit performance, his third in the last four games. Dawes' 14 points led the Runnin' Utes' scorers, and he was a key part in a second-half bench-powered run that cut the Mountaineers' lead from 14 to six, as he contributed seven of those points. West Virginia regrouped following that run however, never allowing the Runnin' Utes to get within less than five points.
