Author: Jesse

The Utah State Aggies opened the 2025-26 season Monday night by playing the Westminster Griffins, as well as the 2024-25 version of themselves.

Utah State crushed the Division II Griffins, 110-54, at the Spectrum in Logan, coming up just short of matching last year’s 117-53 dismantling of Westminster on Stew Morrill Court.

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However, the new-look Aggies did rack up 19 3-pointers — two more than last year — while coming up with eight more rebounds than last November.

And Vanderbilt transfer guard MJ Collins Jr. scored a game-high 23 points in his Aggie debut, just one fewer than last year’s leading scorer Ian Martinez had against the Griffins.

“It was amazing just being able to feel like myself again,” said Collins, who set a new career-high in points by going 9 for 11 from the field and 5 for 7 from 3-point range. “First, I just want to thank God, of course, my family, my teammates, and most importantly, my coaches for all believing in me and allowing me to go out there and just be a player.

“… I’ve always been able to shoot the ball, but my confidence was up and down, but coach (Jerrod) Calhoun and my teammates always keep me uplifted and keep confidence in me and it’s fun to go out there and play hard for those type of people when they really believe in you.”

Utah State (1-0) also got 16 points from Butler transfer guard Kolby King and a double-double from fifth-year senior forward Garry Clark (12 points, 11 rebounds).

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Freshman wing Allan Elamin scored 12 points, while freshman guard Elijah Perryman finished with 10 points and eight assists.

That means USU’s five leading scorers are all newcomers to a program that won 26 games and earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament last season.

Returnees Mason Falslev and Tucker Anderson each contributed nine points, and junior forward Karson Templin ended up with eight points.

As a team, Utah State shot 60.9% from the field, finished 19 for 37 from 3-point range and totaled 32 assists against 12 turnovers. The Aggies also came up with 13 steals and compiled 38 fast-break points vs. the Griffins’ zero.

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“We want to be on the attack for 40 minutes,” Calhoun said after the first game of his second season as the head coach at Utah State.

“I’ve told this group that if they value the ball, they could be one of the best offensive teams in the country, and you saw that they really like playing with each other. They’re very unselfish, and we’ve got a lot of guys that can put the ball in the basket.”

The Aggies took control of the contest with a 17-2 run midway through the first half that put the home team up 41-15 with just over six minutes left before intermission.

Utah State, which led 53-27 at halftime, did most of its damage from beyond the arc, knocking down 9 of its first 14 3-point attempts and finishing with 11 treys in the first half.

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But early in the second half, Utah State turned up the defensive pressure, coming up with steal after steal while pressing, which led to easy baskets in transition.

In the first five minutes of the second half, the Aggies made nine of their first 10 shots (on seven assists) while scoring 19 of the first 21 points coming out of halftime.

“It’s fun; we’re all happy for one another,” Collins said of that decisive stretch. “Everybody’s happy for each other’s success, and that’s what makes our team so good.

“This is the most connected team I’ve been on, and that makes it fun to go out there and play for each other. We don’t really care who gets the success at the end of the day because we know it’s a team sport.”

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Westminster ended up shooting just 33.3% as a team, while going 5 for 18 from 3-point range. Junior guard Collin Hayes led the Griffins with 12 points, while graduate forward Michael Frazier totaled 11 points and six rebounds.

“I’m glad we don’t have to play them again,” Westminster head coach Norm Parrish said. “Defensively, they do different things than we’ll ever see. Especially in the second half, we didn’t handle their pressure, and they speed you up.”

Alex Jensen is 1-0 in the University of Utah record books as a head coach.

The former Runnin’ Ute star earned a win in his first regular-season game as coach in a hard-fought 84-75 victory over San Jose State Monday night at the Huntsman Center.

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“It was great. My first game, most of the guys’ first game, all the coaches and players are new. So grateful for the support and excited,” Jensen said.

“It’s been after four or five months to finally play a game that counts and to get a win. So lots to work on, but I’m happy for our guys.”

How the game transpired

The first half went back and forth before Utah used an 11-3 run to build a 31-23 lead with 7:21 until halftime. The Utes went into the break with a 44-38 lead, and they extended that to 51-41 early in the second half on Seydou Traore 3.

Eventually San Jose State whittled it down to a 63-62 Utah lead before going ahead on two free throws on a questionable late whistle.

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Traore played a major role in Utah going back out in front, though, and eventually earning the win. His fourth 3 of the night put the Utes back up for good, and he followed that with a layup in transition to push the lead to four.

The Utes were able to move the lead out as high as 12 points as they took over in the game’s final minutes.

Utah outshot the visiting Spartans 50% to 46.2% from the field and made 10 of 25 from 3-point range.

In a game wherein the statistics were close in most areas, the Utes held a noticeable advantage in points off turnovers (20-10), fast-break points (20-14) and assists (18-8).

Seydou Traore was putting on a show

Traore, the Iowa transfer, made key plays throughout the night when the Utes needed them.

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Perhaps the most important moment came after Utah fell behind for the first time in the second half at 64-63. Traore scored Utah’s next five points to get the Utes back out in front.

Traore’s fifth 3 of the night then pushed the lead to 75-66 with just over four and a half minutes to play.

“One thing I’m trying to encourage all of our guys is to make mistakes and errors of aggression and, you know, and Seydou … I think just his competitiveness and his physicality and just kind of (his) leadership, and not a vocal way, but just the toughness,” Jensen said. “I think that tonight, it showed on the stat line, and also I think it helps the other guys on the team.

“I think he’s one of those guys that you know his teammates will listen to and follow so, yeah, great game by him tonight.”

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Traore ended up scoring a career-high 23 points while shooting an efficient 9 of 14 from the floor and 5 of 8 from 3.

Traore missed the Utes’ second exhibition game against Oregon after getting hurt in the first half of the exhibition opener against Nevada. Monday night’s effort showed why it was so important to have Traore, a junior, on the floor.

“He’s a great player. He’s (plays) a big role in this team. We didn’t have him against Oregon, but he really showed out in this game,” Kendyl Sanders said. “He proved we need him on the court.”

Utah has a solid guard tandem

The Utes lost a lot across the board from last season, with 12 of the 15 players on this year’s roster new to the school this season.

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At least in the starting lineup, the backcourt looks like it will be in good shape thanks to some transfer portal additions.

Don McHenry (from Western Kentucky) and Terrence Brown (Fairleigh Dickinson) were excellent complementary pieces Monday night, as the pair consistently sliced and diced their way through the San Jose State defense and finished strong at the rim.

McHenry scored 16 points and tied the team lead with nine rebounds while adding two assists. Brown had 12 points, a team-high eight assists and three rebounds.

Their command of the offense helped Utah finish with the aforementioned 18 assists, to 11 turnovers.

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Brown played a team-high 33 minutes, while McHenry logged 31.

“Don and TB, they both come from teams last year where they needed to score 20 points a game. That’s what their particular teams needed. … What I’ve asked them to (do), you got to control the team, run the team, pass the ball, and I think they both did a great job with that,” Jensen said.

“That’s not an easy thing to do, and I think they’ve accepted that responsibility and role, and I think they’ll continue to get better at that, because there’s going to be times when we need them to score, but more importantly, we need them to get us organized and run the team.”

When Utah played its exhibition opener against Nevada on Oct. 17, the Utes struggled with turnovers and transition defense. In Monday’s win, those were both positives for Utah.

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“When we’re going over scout every single day, they really emphasize the transition defense, so we emphasize that. We emphasize that this whole week in practice,” Brown said. “And then, the turnover part is on us, taking care of the ball. I feel like that’s just on us as players to take care of the ball.”

Other good notes, and things that need improvement

Jensen has said in the lead-up to the season he wants to see junior forward Keanu Dawes be more aggressive. Dawes finished last season averaging a double-double over the Utes’ final six games, and he comes into this year as one of the established leaders on the team.

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His dunk to make it 39-31 with 3:21 left in the first half was a perfect example of that. Dawes collected the ball near the free-throw line, then decisively rolled to the hoop and punctuated the play with a one-handed slam.

Dawes ended up just shy of a double-double with 12 points, most of those on dunks, and nine rebounds.

Another player to note was Sanders, a true freshman who played last season at preparatory school IMG Academy. He had nine points and seven rebounds, and he scored five straight points late to help Utah extend their lead.

“Kendyl is one of the guys I think has made the biggest strides in the last few months,” Jensen said. “The opportunity was provided, and yeah, I think he could get a lot better, like the rest of our guys, but he just turned 20. For his first game, it was great to see. Happy for him.”

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One of the Utes’ blemishes was free-throw shooting, though it was a struggle for both teams. Utah was 12 of 19 from the free-throw line, while the Spartans were 9 of 18.

Utah’s interior defense also had its struggles. San Jose State outscored Utah 44-42 in points in the paint, including 28-18 in the second half.

“I think fouling, just guarding the drive was difficult for us, keeping (them) out of the paint,” Jensen said. “… We’ve got to stick to our principles.

“But I think just the the talking as a unit and keeping them out of the places they want to go, especially the paint and the fouls, it was just not being prepared for when the guy had the ball. I think we’ve got to do a much better job at guarding the drive.”

Visiting Park City, Utah is a bit like taking a trip to the Alps. And it’s a must-visit destination if you’re a skier or a snowboarder since Park City Mountain is the largest ski resort in the U.S., with 7,300 acres open as a veritable mountain playground. If you’re flying into Salt Lake City International Airport, one of America’s best airports, the first base area you’ll come to for this legendary mountain is Canyons Village. It takes just about 35 minutes to get there from the airport (depending on traffic and road conditions), and it’s about 15 minutes to get from Canyons Village to downtown Park City. Not only can you get up onto the mountain from Canyons Village, you can enjoy some incredible activities, no matter the season, and sleep in the utmost comfort and style.

There’s a new lift going in at Canyons Village. The Sunrise Gondola with its 10-person cars replaced the Sunrise Chairlift, and it will help get more people on the mountain with less potential for lengthy wait times, starting with the 2025 season.

This new gondola is right next to Pendry Park City; ski-in, ski-out access doesn’t get much better. The luxury resort opened in 2022, and it has 175 rooms, suites, and residences, with options ranging from traditional hotel rooms up to four-bedroom residences. The suites and residences all have kitchen facilities, and some have bunk beds in a bedroom, perfect if you’re traveling with family. It’s also got a rooftop pool and hot tub where you can take in views of the Wasatch Mountains, and you can order a drink or snacks at the Pool House Bar. If a soak in the hot tub isn’t enough relaxation, there’s also a range of treatments you can get at Spa Pendry.

Read more: These Are The Most Dangerous Cities In America For 2025 (And Why You Might Want To Avoid Them), According To Research

More Canyons Village hotels and winter fun

While Pendry Park City may be one of the newest hotels in Canyons Village and Park City, it’s not the only hotel in town. If you’re looking for the top of the line in luxury (and price), there’s a Waldorf Astoria, complete with pool, hot tubs, and a spa. Grand Summit, a RockResort is another ski-in, ski-out hotel with a pool and spa, and for summertime fun, it’s right next to the 18-hole Canyons Golf course.

When it comes to Canyons Village winter activities, skiing and snowboarding are the focus, though there are also activities like sleigh rides and snowmobiling. Thanks to the impressive collection of lifts and connecting trails, you could actually ski the entirety of Park City Mountain from Canyons Village. The Canyons Village side has more intermediate and advanced options with fewer beginner runs, so if you’re learning to ski or snowboard, Canyons Village might not be the ideal base.

But no matter what level skier you are, the après scene in Canyons Village is fantastic. For new or non-skiers, après is short for après ski, which means “after ski” in French, and it’s all about food, drinks, and fun after a day on the mountain. The Umbrella Bar in the heart of Canyons Village is a popular spot with an outdoor deck and a big fire pit, and it serves burgers, wings, chili, and beer. It’s also kid friendly. Starting in December, the rooftop Pool House Bar at Pendry Park City has a live DJ on weekends for après. And downstairs in Après Pendry, an aptly named lounge/bar, where you’ll find live music on most winter weekends. Drafts Burger Bar is another good option that’s known for its milkshakes, beer selection, and, of course, burgers.

Summer time in Canyons Village, Utah

Park City is also popular in the summer, and that includes Canyons Village. Each year for the Fourth of July, Canyons Village hosts Forum Fest. It’s a free festival featuring live music, along with good food and drinks. There’s also an outdoor concert series at the The Amphitheatre at Canyons Village, and there’s free live music throughout the season.

Winter isn’t the only time you can be active during your Canyons Village vacation. The area has great hiking and mountain biking trails. Mountain bikers on the Canyons Village side of Park City Mountain have options ranging from beginner to advanced, and from mid June through early September, you can take your bike up the Red Pine Gondola to ride down the mountain. And there are bikes available to rent if you’re not traveling with yours. There are also a number of hiking trails open during the summer. Families will love the leisurely 0.75-mile Nature Trail Loop that takes you into the forest. On the other end of the intensity spectrum is the hike along the Tombstone Trail and Fantasy Ridge. The 6-mile loop starts at the top of the Red Pine Gondola, and you’ll cross a knife’s edge ridge on your way to the top of the 9,990-foot-tall Desolation Peak. Ropes are installed along the spiciest steep sections.

No matter the season, you need to keep in mind that Canyons Village is at 6,900 feet, and the mountains at the resort go up to around 10,000 feet. This altitude is enough to impact your body and mind, especially if you’re coming from sea level. Take it easy, drink lots of water, and wear sunscreen to help stay comfortable and happy during your Canyons Village getaway.

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Utah County leaders are navigating mounting costs, national media attention and public frustration over the county’s obligation to pay for defense attorneys in the case against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner, one of three elected county commissioners who oversee policy, operations and finances, said Utah County has already spent “just over a quarter of a million dollars” on the case, a figure expected to double by year’s end and could reach around $5 million over the next year and a half.

“Under the Constitution, we have a right to a competent defense,” Powers Gardner said. “It is imperative that if we want to have a society that we believe in justice, that justice needs to be fair and equal.”

She said she’s heard from constituents who are frustrated that taxpayer dollars will fund his defense. Still, she emphasized the county’s constitutional duty and the financial wisdom of ensuring a fair trial, especially in a potential death-penalty case.

Charlie Kirk Assassination: Legal Expert Unpacks Defense Challenges And Why Evidence Secrecy Could Be Crucial

Powers Gardner said part of her role is keeping the community united after a tragedy that affected residents across political lines.

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“My job is also to be a leader for my community, and that’s what I have focused on,” she said. “You have to keep in mind, not everybody who was traumatized that day was a Charlie Kirk supporter. There were hundreds of people there that were protesting at that event and were just as traumatized that they saw a father and husband murdered.”

The judge deemed Robinson eligible for public defense, requiring the county to hire a death-penalty-certified team after all local attorneys declined the county’s standard contract.

“Because it is Charlie Kirk, we sent out that standard contract and got zero attorneys who were willing to take the case for our standard contract,” Powers Gardner said. “It’s a very emotionally and politically charged case. And because of that, none of our usual defense attorneys were willing to take the case.”

She added that due to this being a “very high profile case,” most of their usual contracts were not valid.

Alleged Charlie Kirk Assassin Tyler Robinson’s Defense Could Cost Utah Taxpayers ‘Eight Figures’: Experts

“That is very frustrating, but keep in mind that if there’s any way that the defense in the future could claim that we scrimped or saved or undercut their ability to have a competent defense, that means appeals. And appeals mean more money and more time. It’s actually the most prudent use of taxpayer dollars to give Tyler Robinson a competent defense the first time.”

Powers Gardner said the county tried joining Utah’s Aggravated Murder Defense Fund in 2024, a pool designed to offset defense costs in capital cases, but was denied. At the time of the killing, Powers Gardner said the county’s reserve for aggravated-murder cases had just $31 left.

Powers Gardner estimated the impact at about $5 per taxpayer spread over the course of the case, which she estimated could be roughly two years.

What Will Be Tyler Robinson’s Defense Strategy? Experts Weigh In On Accused Charlie Kirk Assassin

Beyond legal costs, Powers Gardner detailed new security and operational burdens.

“Just housing Tyler Robinson in our jail is very expensive… He will be transferred using armored vehicles, and we will have to clear buildings around the courthouse, and we will have to cover that because there have been threats,” she said.

The county has implemented active-shooter training for the first time and continues to absorb overtime costs.

“In six weeks, we’ve used $250,000 on this,” she said. “And we haven’t even started appearing in court yet.”

Powers Gardner credited Gov. Spencer Cox for being “incredibly supportive,” noting that he was personally engaged and communicative in the days following the shooting.

Utah Prosecutors Prepare Potential Death Penalty Case Against Charlie Kirk Suspect Tyler James Robinson

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Robinson faces a top charge of aggravated murder, which carries a potential death penalty.

Prosecutors allege Robinson used his grandfather’s Mauser .30-06 rifle to climb onto a campus rooftop and shoot Kirk once in the neck while Kirk was speaking at a Utah Valley University campus event on Sept. 10.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz contributed to this report. 

Original article source: Taxpayer cost for suspected Charlie Kirk assassin’s death penalty case predicted by Utah commissioner