SALT LAKE CITY—When Alex Jensen walked back into the Huntsman Center as Utah’s head coach, it wasn’t just a homecoming—it was a full-circle moment for the Utah basketball program looking to turn the page on its next chapter.
With Jensen at the helm, and general manager Wes Wilcox reinforcing the foundation, the program finally has a vision rooted in both its proud past and a modern future.
Now that the Runnin’ Utes begin practices, there’s a lot of excitement around this new chapter for the program.
Countdown to the season-opener officially begins!! ⏳⏳ pic.twitter.com/5CIzCdFJy8
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) September 22, 2025
Alex Jensen’s gaining more clarity about the roster every day
“There’s definitely been a learning curve coming from the NBA to college, but it’s very exciting at the same time,” Alex Jensen said. “We have a new roster, staff is new, and so that’s the fun part about coaching is watching it play out and seeing how the pieces come together.”
From day one, Jensen has spoken openly about building a team. He wanted to be deliberate and find the right players to lay the foundation for his program.
In Jensen’s vision, he wants players to play with freedom, and learn through mistakes —it also includes spacing the floor, keeping the ball moving with tempo, and letting multiple ball-handlers initiate action.
Though practices only officially began last Monday, Jensen and staff have been gaining a better idea of what this team could be and what rotations will look like for a couple months now.
“Getting a better idea every day, it’s actually been enjoyable, because I like the group we have, and there’s a lot of different combinations,” Jensen explained as he continues to experiment with lineups in practice. “So that’ll be the good thing about practice, more opportunity to see those combinations together.”
Utah basketball’s recruited for the right fit
General manager Wes Wilcox has echoed that optimism as he helps Jensen construct the roster. “I would say very positive in general about the vibe around the program,” Wilcox shared. “As Al said, we have a new staff, we have, you know, for the most part, a new group of players and getting a chance to watch that group come together has been a lot of fun.”
More than just fun, Wilcox sees promise in the work ethic: “I would say the thing that sticks out the most right now is the work that the group is putting in. It’s a serious group and the competitive nature of the group. It is a group that is working—I think we’re trying really hard and trying to get better.”
Recruiting has been one of the biggest adjustments for the staff. Coming from the NBA, where roster building is dictated by contracts and draft boards, the college recruiting trail is a different grind entirely.
“That’s one of the exciting parts of this job is there are so many opportunities if you do the work, you spend the time, you have the relationship network, all of which, we certainly do,” Wilcox said.
And while their approach is unconventional, it may be an advantage in today’s changing landscape. He also acknowledged that it’s been an adjustment to the realities of college recruiting.
“We absolutely know the way that we want to play and the characteristics of a team that we believe this community, this university, will be proud of, and we are going to build to those characteristics,” Wilcox continued. “Maybe there’s a disadvantage because we haven’t been in the recruiting trail for years, but maybe there’s an opportunity that we’re coming at this with fresh eyes as the landscape is changing dramatically and we’re not anchored to anything that’s happened in college sports in the past.”
With Wilcox operating more like an NBA general manager and Jensen providing the vision for on-court product, Utah basketball is moving toward a professionalized model that emphasizes long-term development.
Jensen, Wilcox are building for the long term
Utah fans shouldn’t expect an overnight turnaround. Jensen is realistic about the challenges of jumping into the Big 12 gauntlet. But his comments suggest a long-view approach: develop players over multiple years, instill accountability, and set a cultural foundation that will outlast the current roster.
“Nobody wants to win more than us, we didn’t come here to knock it out of the park in a year,” Jensen said. “We don’t want to be successful for one year or two, we want to be successful for the duration.”
“Through the decisions I’ve made with the staff and the roster and other things, I’ve been very methodical and going to do it the right way,” Jensen explained. “Now, again, like I said, I’m not going to want to ever lose a game, but there’s a process.
“And no matter what level of basketball you’re on, there’s certain characteristics that breed success,” he said.
This season will test the Utes, but it will also set the stage. The mix of proven transfers like Terrance Brown, athletic upside in Howard, and returners like Dawes gives Jensen a canvas to work with. The identity—hard work, defense, creativity, tempo, and development—is clear.
For Utah, the story of 2025-26 isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about rediscovering what the Runnin’ Utes are supposed to be: disciplined, tough, and built for the long haul.
Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.
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