Utah Basketball Eyes Reset as Alex Jensen Navigates First Year, Transfer Portal Future
In the new world of college basketball, the line between amateur and professional has never been blurrier. With NIL money flowing and roster turnover now an annual ritual thanks to the transfer portal, programs are adapting fast - or falling behind.
At Utah, the Runnin’ Utes are very much in the middle of that transition. First-year head coach Alex Jensen is trying to steady a team that’s dropped seven of its eight conference games, all while laying the foundation for what comes next. And make no mistake - the next few months are going to be pivotal.
Jensen, a Utah alum and former NBA assistant, is doing the day-to-day work of coaching, developing, and trying to squeeze every ounce of potential from a roster that’s struggled to find consistency. But behind the scenes, general manager Wes Wilcox is already deep into the next phase: building the 2026-27 team.
In today’s college hoops landscape, that kind of front office structure isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity.
Roster Building in the Transfer Era
Every offseason now feels like free agency. Players move, rosters flip, and programs reload. Jensen knows that reality well, and he’s leaning on Wilcox to help navigate it.
“That’s another reason I think you need a general manager or even a front office,” Jensen said. “The communication with agents is crucial - it’s got to be ongoing throughout the year.
Wes has been invaluable for us. He leads that charge while we’re still focused on trying to win the next game.
I don’t know how you’d do it without somebody like Wes.”
Last spring, Jensen was still assembling his coaching staff when the portal opened. This time around, Utah will be far more prepared. With a full season under his belt and a clearer understanding of the program’s needs, Jensen plans to be aggressive.
“You’ve got to have somebody dedicated to that,” he said. “Coaches are locked in on games, scouts, and the players already here. But you also have to prep so that when the portal opens, the work’s already done.”
Jensen actually seems to enjoy the process - comparing it to the NBA in some ways, though with a much larger player pool. “It’s kind of fun,” he admitted. “That was the one thing I knew I needed when I came.”
Finding the Right Mix
Some programs, like Arizona, are thriving by leaning into youth, starting multiple freshmen and letting them grow together. Others are going heavy on experienced transfers. Jensen is still figuring out what model works best for Utah.
“I don’t think there’s any one area we’re focusing on strongly,” he said. “You can see people have had success with being older, but we just played Arizona, who started three freshmen.”
Utah isn’t yet in the running for elite five-star talent, but Jensen believes the key lies in identifying players who fit the program’s culture - and want to be in Salt Lake City.
“You’re trying to find the core characteristics of a player you want, and they’ve got to want to be here,” he said. “It seems simple and obvious, but it’s a big deal.”
Finishing Strong in Year One
Before Utah can fully turn the page to next season, there’s still work to be done. The Utes have 10 games left in the regular season, starting with a home matchup against Arizona State on Wednesday night. Both teams are desperate for a win - Utah has dropped seven of eight in Big 12 play, while the Sun Devils have lost seven of their last nine.
The last two games - losses to BYU and Oklahoma State - were especially frustrating. After falling to the Cowboys, Jensen didn’t hold back, calling out his team’s selfish play.
But this week, there’s been a shift in tone. Practice has been sharper.
Film sessions have been productive. And Jensen is preaching accountability and cohesion.
“We had a good day of practice today and yesterday,” he said. “Film is always helpful.
I think we have good guys, and we’ve done it at times. We just need to be more consistent in how we approach the game - understanding our roles and how we tie into the group.”
That growth - learning how to play together, how to sacrifice for the team - is part of the process, especially in a first-year program built largely from scratch.
“It’s a maturing process,” Jensen said. “First year being together - that’s kind of the norm now. But yeah, it does take time.”
A Winnable Matchup, a Defensive Challenge
Wednesday’s game against Arizona State might be Utah’s best shot at a win in the near term. After that, the schedule gets brutal, with matchups looming against No.
11 Kansas and No. 8 Houston.
Both Utah and ASU rank in the bottom fifth nationally in defensive efficiency, but their offenses are capable of putting up points. This one has the makings of a high-scoring affair - unless one team can finally clamp down.
Jensen is hoping Utah can be the one to set the tone on that end.
“The Sun Devils are dangerous. They’re explosive.
They can score a lot of points,” he said. “There’s some similarities to Oklahoma State.
Hopefully we can be led off of our defense.”
That means smarter offensive possessions, too - taking care of the ball, working through the offense, and not settling for quick shots.
“If we make it easy for them defensively - if we take no-pass shots or shoot on the first or second side instead of the third or fourth - it plays into their strengths,” Jensen said.
Looking Ahead
The Utes are still in the thick of a tough season, but the bigger picture is coming into focus. With Wilcox working the phones and Jensen building a culture, Utah is setting the stage for a more competitive future in the Big 12.
There’s no quick fix in today’s college basketball, but there is a blueprint. And the Utes are starting to draw theirs - one practice, one portal target, and one game at a time.