The Runnin’ Utes first Big 12 home game was one they’ll want to mentally get past as fast as possible. Utah was dominated by the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, 93-65.

Here are the takeaways from the game:

First, the bright spots in the front court

The Utes were playing without Ezra Ausar who was attending to a family matter. Because of this, Caleb Lohner got the start and chipped in nine points, but it was the others who have been used sparingly in recent weeks that made the most of their opportunities. Zach Keller went 6-7 for 12 points, Jake Wahlin scored all 10 of his points in the first half, and Keanu Dawes scored six of his 11 points at the foul line and pulled down five rebounds.

In his post game presser, Utah head coach Craig Smith acknowledged that Dawes needs more playing time going forward.

Utes have to find a way to compete at home

To be competitive in the Big 12, you need to perform well on home court, and Itah struggled mightily on Saturday night. The Utes were held to 42.3% on field goals and 26.1% from long-distance. The Red Raiders held a seven point edge in points off of turnovers and a 12 point differential on fast breaks.

Even in categories that Utah typically has the upper hand, Texas Tech held an easy advantage, as they made twice as many threes - 12 to Utah’s six.

They’re no longer stacking wins against a cupcake schedule. Like the Pac-12 was each year, the Big 12 is going to be difficult — and this conference just so happens to be the most stacked in college basketball.

The Utes need to figure out the recipe to win at home — let alone not get blown out by 28 points — or else their place will be at the bottom of the Big 12 conference.

Shooters get cold, and Gabe Madsen is cold

Utah’s unquestioned go-to scorer is deep in a cold stretch. Unfortunately, this is what happens to volume shooters, and Utah just hasn’t had a consistent second option step up. Gabe Madsen has gone four straight games without scoring in double-figures and six games without scoring over 15 points. He’s only shot above 30% once in his last five games.

The bad news going forward ties into what was discussed above: the Big 12 is the most difficult conference in college basketball. Gabe is going to be No. 1 on the opponents’ scouting report every night and he desperately needs someone else to consistently take the scoring pressure off of him. In this conference, that will be easier said than done.

Up next

The Utes travel to Iowa State on Tuesday to play the No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones. They’ll follow that up with a winnable home game on Saturday against the 8-5 Oklahoma State Cowboys.