In a tank battle, the Dallas Mavericks absolutely destroyed the Utah Jazz. The Dallas Mavericks hosted the Utah Jazz on Thursday night for the second night of a back-to-back for both teams. Both teams …
The Dallas Mavericks hosted the Utah Jazz on Thursday night for the second night of a back-to-back for both teams. Both teams were coming off losses, and with only a half-game separating them in the standings, someone was going have to tank control of the tank battle.
Both teams were without key players, as the Mavericks were missing Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford, while the Jazz were without Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.
And if you thought the Mavericks could out-tank the Jazz, boy, would you be wrong.
The Mavericks ran away with this game at the end of the first quarter and into the second quarter. When Dwight Powell is Euro-stepping in transition to finish a layup, and Klay Thompson turns back the clock while passing Damian Lillard for the fourth-most made threes in NBA history, things could get weird.
And things continued to get weird in the third quarter. The Mavericks outscored Utah 42-29, but those Jazz points came padded on near the end. Dallas ended up leading by 38 in the frame. Mind you, the Mavericks rolled out a starting lineup of Brandon Williams, Jaden Hardy, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall, and Dwight Powell. And they still absolutely smoked the Jazz.
By the end, the Mavericks had themselves a _ win, but these two will be right back at it on Saturday in Dallas. Will the Mavericks tie the season series? Or can they give themselves an additional possible tiebreaker in the draft lottery odds?
1. Jason Kidd’s Disdain for D’Angelo Russell is Actually Hilarious
Nov 29, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard D’Angelo Russell (5) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Due to the injuries the Mavericks entered the game with, here is everyone they had available for this game: Brandon Williams, Jaden Hardy, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall, Dwight Powell, Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, Ryan Nembhard (two-way contract), Moussa Cisse (two-way contract), Miles Kelly (two-way contract), and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (was literally just signed today on a 10-day hardship contract). D’Angelo Russell is the only one of that group who didn’t play. You have to think that he’s going to be on the first trade out of town is there’s an offer available.
2. Klay Thompson Vintage Games are Still Elite
Jan 15, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) reacts after hitting a three point basket to move to fourth on the all time NBA three point baskets made list during the first half against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Klay Thompson is out of his prime at this point in his career, but he’s still more than capable of big games. And he had it ROLLING in this game. It was one thing to see him pass Damian Lillard on the three-point leaderboard, but it’s good to see him have fun again. He ended up finishing with 25 points on 10/18 shooting, including 6/13 from three. He even had 6 assists. It’s great to see him have these kinds of performances.
3. Caleb Martin Has Put Up Back-to-Back Good Games. He’s Tradeable!
Jan 15, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (16) grabs the rebound in front of guard Brandon Williams (10) against the Utah Jazz during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Caleb Martin easily had his best game as a Maverick on Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets, and then followed it up with 14 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals in this game. He’s still not a good contract, but he’s at least showing that he can be a rotation player.
The Utah Jazz could be up against the Dallas Mavericks without one of their top stars in Cooper Flagg. During the Mavericks’ latest game against the Denver Nuggets, Flagg went down with what was …
The Utah Jazz could be up against the Dallas Mavericks without one of their top stars in Cooper Flagg.
During the Mavericks’ latest game against the Denver Nuggets, Flagg went down with what was deemed a left ankle sprain to eventually take him out of the action for the rest of the night after 15 minutes.
Mavs rookie star Cooper Flagg has a left ankle sprain and will not return tonight against Denver.
Now, with the Mavericks being on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Jazz just 24 hours from their last time taking the floor, the status for Flagg to suit up is naturally up in the air, and could inevitably sideline the rookie sensation against Utah for both of their looming matchups that lie ahead for this week.
The Jazz will play the Mavericks on Thursday, January 15th, and will then run it back two days later on Saturday back on Dallas’ home floor. To see their number-one pick out for not one, but both of those meetings, it might not be the biggest surprise.
Cooper Flagg in Danger of Missing Game vs. Jazz
Flagg has played two games this season against the Jazz, both of those in Utah, and has come away with some pretty strong stat lines in both.
In just those two appearances, Flagg has averaged 34.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists––his biggest highlight game coming in the middle of December when the number one pick had an impressive 42 points despite an overtime loss to the Jazz.
Jan 8, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) looks for the play as Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) defends during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Yet, depending on what the Mavericks’ injury report shows, those two meetings might be the only two times that the Jazz see Flagg in his rookie campaign, and would prevent another showdown between two of this summer’s top-five picks in him and Ace Bailey.
In 40 games through his rookie year, Flagg has been averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 points, and 4.2 assists while shooting 47.8% from the field, currently leading the Rookie of the Year race through the first half of the season. However, that campaign could be put to a brief pause, depending on what his injury status may hold.
The Jazz could also be dealing with some availability questions for their own star as they take on the Mavericks, most notably with Lauri Markkanen, who missed Utah’s latest game against the Chicago Bulls with an illness, and could be at risk for a second-straight absence, depending on how he’s feeling rolling into a short turnaround on the road in Dallas.
Keep an eye on both Flagg and Markkanen’s status rolling into the night in Dallas, but don’t be shocked if both of them are sat off to the side this time around.
This season, Deer Valley sees the biggest expansion of any US ski resort in more than 50 years, shining a spotlight on Utah’s old mining backcountry.
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
“I sent 900 potential names for the new runs,” says Michael O’Malley, my ski guide. His kind, weathered face suddenly takes on a solemn look. The retired executive’s self-nominated task took weeks of research. “I waded through reels and reels of old microfilm and maps in the basement of Park City Museum looking for the names of mining claims for inspiration, and I’m delighted some suggestions made the cut, especially Green Monster. I’m now waiting to see if Ping Pong will be used for a mogul run.”
Former marketing exec Michael has been skiing in Deer Valley for 20 years, cementing the Utah resort firmly into the fabric of his life. That he was so dedicated to its growing identity — from former mining backcountry to an expanding modern ski town in need of names for its new pistes — was of little surprise. The upmarket destination’s exceptional service is one thing, but quite how genuinely the inhabitants of this resort in Utah’s high-mountain desert care for it is another.
Set 45 minutes’ drive east of Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Mountains, Deer Valley is high — very high. Sitting at 2,000m, its altitude can make it hard for the unacclimated to sleep and stay hydrated. But, on the plus side, it’s often exceptionally snowy. The ski-only resort is largely staffed by retired business execs, of which Michael is one. The theory being that someone who’s worked at the top knows more about service — and life — than a fresh-out-of-college ski bum.
Whether they’re ferrying guests around in spotless white Range Rovers, manning the ski lifts, shop and ticket kiosk or hosting skiers on the mountain, these retirees live and breathe Deer Valley and help provide the excellence on which it trades. In return for their unwavering service, they receive one of the world’s most prized season passes, worth $3,900 (£2,913; almost double the cost of a season pass in, say, the Trois Vallées in France).
Soon, that pass is set to take in even more ski terrain. Over the coming years, Deer Valley will grow from 2,342 skiable acres and 122 runs to a whopping 5,726 skiable acres and 238 runs across 10 mountain peaks with a second base, Deer Valley East Village, built entirely from scratch. It’s the biggest expansion of any US ski resort in more than 50 years and will make Deer Valley one of the largest in the country.
Apres-ski at Chute Eleven, a yurt-bar at Deer Valley’s Empire Canyon ski area, combines decadent bites with electrifying DJ sets.
Photograph by Deer Valley Resort (Top) (Left) and Photograph by Deer Valley Resort (Bottom) (Right)
Riding a lift from the base up to Silver Lake Lodge, I’m forced to explain to Michael that, as a Brit, I’d like the safety bar down. I’ve never understood why skiers in the litigation-heavy US are happy to dangle freely from lifts. Our fellow passengers, two resort staff including a ski patroller, happily comply with a giggle and we soon arrive safely. With the runs not yet kissed by the sun, we start with two blues, Big Stick and Little Stick. These immaculately groomed trails cut through thick pine forests, with seemingly not a needle out of place.
Before arriving here, I’d presumed Deer Valley was one of those resorts to be seen more than skied. But after a few hundred feet, Little Stick rolls over a lip and the pitch steepens dramatically: a proper challenge. Applying sudden pressure to the edge of my ski, the binding releases and I fall, heavily, leaving me seeing stars. It’s an ironic example of that litigious US spirit writ large; ski hire shops often set bindings to release boots from skis more readily than in Europe — in theory reducing injury risk, at least for less dynamic skiers.
On the ride up I’d asked to ski hard. Taking me at my word, Michael — in his late 60s, two decades older than me — is nowhere to be seen. Retrieving my hurt pride and a ski that had gone awol, I find my smiling host waiting patiently for me in the sunshine beside the St Regis Deer Valley hotel. Like much of the accommodation in the region, the St Regis is ‘slopeside’. Perfect for pit stops, the large, imposing building is set at a not-insignificant altitude of 2,271m and has an inviting, sunny terrace. However, it feels a little too early for its signature 7452 Mary — a Bloody Mary named after the hotel’s altitude in feet — so I gather myself and we ski on.
A tale of two ski resorts
I’d started my trip warming up on the slopes in neighbouring Park City Mountain Resort, some three miles north. On a good snow day, this takes in the US’s biggest skiable area, at 7,800 acres. Many British visitors to Utah prefer to stay in Park City — drawn by its cool, younger vibe and diverse, all-abilities terrain — and take a day or two over in Deer Valley. The two resorts often share record levels of Utah’s trademarked ‘Greatest Snow on Earth’. Famously light and dry thanks to the desert conditions, snowfall here is sometimes around twice that of Rockies resorts in neighbouring Colorado. But the scenery and atmosphere of these neighbouring resorts couldn’t be more different.
While Deer Valley is wooded and bans snowboarders, Park City is more open, with treeless sunny slopes, and is staffed by a younger crew. The two are separated by a fence nicknamed the ‘DMZ’ (‘Demilitarized Zone’) by locals for what it represents: a divide between two rival territories. Deer Valley’s owner is the Alterra Mountain Company and Park City’s is Vail Resorts — two competing behemoths of the ski world that market the multi-resort Ikon and Epic lift passes respectively.
Somewhere between these two terrains, I find a historic silver mining town, the original Park City. Its Main Street, where Old West-style clapboard houses come in pretty colours, is lined with some 50 restaurants, smart homeware and jewellery stores ideal for aspirational window-shopping and — unexpectedly — three original works by Banksy. Founded in the late 1860s by prospectors, the town has a hard-living mining history but is now home to a rich arts and culture scene and the annual Sundance Film Festival.
The sun does always seem to shine here in this high-mountain desert, a balm for winter-weary UK souls. On the following bright December morning, I set out to explore Deer Valley’s slopes by myself. The pistes are impressively steep in places but gentle and wide in others, all cut through glades of birch or pine. I ski past luxurious private homes tucked away high up on the mountain and wonder which celebrities currently have a base here. Taylor Swift is rumoured to have set up home, as well as Lisa Kudrow, but since Deer Valley was the scene of Gwyneth Paltrow’s infamous ski accident and ensuing court case, her property here was sold some time ago.
Skiing in Deer Valley during the spring months brings sunny days and fewer crowds.
Photograph by Deer Valley Resort
Given the resort’s discreetly high-end vibe, I wonder how much the coming colossal expansion will commercialise and change things. I ride the Mountaineer Express chairlift to Little Baldy Peak, which sits at the edge of the new terrain. Here, I can see construction work at Deer Valley East Village, which will eventually contain at least seven new hotels. Part of the resort’s unique ski experience is that it offers a crowd-free guarantee — skier numbers are capped at 2,000 per day. I’m curious to know how this expansion will be managed when numbers rise to a 3,000-skiers-a-day cap after the works are complete, plus an influx of 2,000 more employees with, as yet, no obvious places to stay in-resort, which will put pressure on local roads and infrastructure.
Hoping for answers, I meet up with Garrett Lang, Deer Valley’s director of mountain operations, at the Silver Lake Lodge restaurant, which sits pretty on a plateau at the intersection of the lifts to Bald Mountain and Flagstaff Mountain, the ski area’s top two peaks. After a coffee break, we set off again to Little Baldy Peak. Here, we duck under a rope so that Garrett can point out the just-opened 381-room Grand Hyatt in the new base, along with the Keetley Express chairlift and the new terrain’s north-facing blue slopes, which will have a phased opening over the next few years. He also indicates the location of the Green Monster, as named by Michael; at 7.5km, this beginner’s route is unusually long for the US.
Warmer, drier starts to winter are becoming increasingly common in Utah, so snowmaking is key. Any mention of artificial snow fills most European skiers with dread, but I’m genuinely surprised by the lack of ice. Snow guns only work below freezing, or a top layer of watery ice forms. “We let the water leech out in the dry desert atmosphere for a couple of days,” says Garrett. “Then we plough, letting it sit for another night, and finally put the till [piste groomer] on it.”
December has been dry and warm here and all of the snow I’ve been skiing on is artificial. The result of Garrett’s work is remarkable; if it wasn’t for the surrounding green mountains, as yet to see proper snow cover, I wouldn’t know the stuff was man-made. We glide around the summit slopes over perfect powdery, dry pistes with no trace of ice — better than a lot of natural snow in Europe.
Apres-ski after dark in Deer Valley comes with firepits and expansive views.
Photograph by ATN, Getty Images
Because of the water rights it recently secured, Deer Valley can make more snow than Park City, and while I’m visiting, has more slopes open. Worried about being seen as an environmental bulldozer — traditional snow canons are carbon hungry — Garrett notes that 80% of the electricity used for making snow is renewable and that 80-85% of water goes back into the water table. But in the next breath, he adds, “the expansion here will never stop.” Case in point, Deer Valley will increase its car parking capacity from 500 to 1,200 slots in a space carved into the mountain beneath Little Baldy Peak rather than — as one might have hoped — improving public transport to bus in all those new workers, if not the guests, too.
I think back to my morning skiing with Michael, when we’d stopped for a creamy hot chocolate at Cushings Cabin (2,773m). Here, Deer Valley reveals the most jaw-dropping of its always-spectacular views — a panorama of big skies across what seemed like the whole of Utah’s peaks and plains — and he’d regaled me with tales of the landscape’s past. I was so enthused about the local history he’d recounted, I spent the afternoon in Park City Museum, immersing myself in the story of the area’s evolution from a tiny mining town.
Utah has never really been on the radar for British skiers, but it should be. Abundant snow (2022-23 broke records) plus plenty of sunshine, immaculate grooming and passionate service from the retiree staff-base all combine to give Deer Valley its distinctive, exclusive-yet-welcoming ambiance. Perhaps this expansion will bring a new wave of Brits to the American West.
How to do it
Published in the Winter Sports guide, available with the December 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Utah simply isn’t physical enough on that end, and Texas Tech (13-4, 3-1 Big 12) made them pay, shooting 57.1% in the first half and 51.4% for the game. The Red Raiders were paced by their all-Big 12 …
When Utah visited United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas on Wednesday night for the first time as a Big 12 member, the Utes’ 88-74 loss to No. 15 Texas Tech had a familiar feel.
Over the past two years since joining the league, any time Utah has played an upper-tier conference school on the road, the Utes have shown they can be competitive in stretches.
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Then, in typical fashion, the home team has taken control with a few minutes (or more) of dominant play.
That was the case again against the Red Raiders, as Texas Tech turned a one-point game into an 18-point lead with an 18-1 run in the first half to make the score 42-24.
Sure, there were 20-plus minutes left to play, but the result felt like it had already been written against a veteran-led Texas Tech squad.
“They make the extra pass, and those guys made shots tonight. I think a lot of teams have a tough time with them on nights that they’re making shots, because they can all shoot it,” Utah assistant coach Raphael Chillious said during a postgame interview on ESPN 700.
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Utah went into the half trailing 50-38 and was only outscored by two points in the second half, but the Utes (8-9, 0-4 Big 12) stayed winless in conference play after their defense struggled again.
Utah simply isn’t physical enough on that end, and Texas Tech (13-4, 3-1 Big 12) made them pay, shooting 57.1% in the first half and 51.4% for the game.
The Utes also finished with just 10 assists, to 13 turnovers.
Texas Tech was on the other end of that spectrum, ending the game with a season-high tying 22 assists and only 10 turnovers.
“Our focus is we’ve got to defend and have more assist than turnovers, and I think we’ll give ourselves a better chance,” Utah coach Alex Jensen told reporters.
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The Red Raiders were paced by their all-Big 12 duo of JT Toppin and Christian Anderson.
Toppin scored a game-high 31 points on 14 of 23 shooting, as Utah didn’t have anyone who could match up with the 6-foot-9 forward. He dominated the game in a variety of ways, adding 13 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks and a steal.
The Runnin’ Utes got a front-row view of why Toppin was named the Big 12 preseason player of the year. He had his sixth straight game with a double-double.
“He can make up any mistake that their guards make on the perimeter, on defense. First jump is great. Second jump is so quick, defensively and offensively, he’s hard to deal with,” Chillious said of Toppin.
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“He just anticipates everything. He’s quick and he’s maybe six eight, but he’s super long.”
Utah guard Don McHenry (3) shoots the ball against Texas Tech forward Donovan Atwell (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah head coach Alex Jensen signals to players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech guard Jaylen Petty (11) shoots a layup against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward Donovan Atwell (12) shoots the ball against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah guard Obomate Abbey (21) shoots the ball over Texas Tech guard Tyeree Bryan, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah forward Keanu Dawes (8) shoots the ball over Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah guard Terrence Brown (2) attempts to pass the ball against Texas Tech forward Donovan Atwell (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah forward Kendyl Sanders, right, attempts to pass the ball against Texas Tech guard Tyeree Bryan (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah forward James Okonkwo (32) attempts a layup against Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah guard Don McHenry (3) drives to the basket against Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson (4) and forward Lejuan Watts (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech fans cheer during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Texas Tech and Utah Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah guard Terrence Brown (2) attempts a layup against Texas Tech during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah guard Terrence Brown (2) drives to the basket against Texas Tech guard Jaylen Petty, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward JT Toppin (15) control the ball against Utah forward Josh Hayes (7) and forward Kendyl Sanders (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts (3) drives to the basket against Utah forward James Okonkwo, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward JT Toppin, left, and Utah forward James Okonkwo, right, go up for the tipoff during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah forward James Okonkwo, center, reaches for a rebound with forward Seydou Traore (0) while Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts (3) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts, center, passes the ball while Utah forward Seydou Traore (0) and forward James Okonkwo, right defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson (4) brings the ball up court against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward JT Toppin, left, shoots the ball against Utah guard Don McHenry (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts, center, fights for control of the ball against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Anderson, meanwhile, dropped 26 points while tying his season high with six 3-point makes. He also had a double-double with 10 assists and added three rebounds and two blocks.
“He’s the heartbeat of the team, and he does a good job of distributing and also shooting,” Jensen said of Anderson.
Texas Tech only got two points from its bench, but it hardly mattered as another starter, Donovan Atwell, scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds.
Utah lacked physicality on the defensive end and was out-rebounded 41-28, including 13-6 on the offensive glass, leading to Texas Tech owning a 14-6 edge in second-chance points.
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That 18-1 run for the Red Raiders was also deflating — it came after Utah overcame a 15-6 deficit to briefly take a 20-19 lead, only to have things fall apart soon after.
“We were getting punched out early, came back … and then we took I think our shot selection at that point helped their next run,” Chillious said. “Sometimes our shots or turnovers led to their transition. When they get in transition, they’re tremendous because they spread out.”
If there is one prevailing positive for the Utes to take away, it’s again a familiar one: The Utes fought back, time and again. It’s just that Utah’s margin for error is razor-thin, and Texas Tech took advantage.
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One of the more entertaining parts of the night was a 3-point showcase from both teams. Utah tied its season high by taking 12 of 25, while Texas Tech hit 13 of 31, its 12th time this season making 10 or more.
Keanu Dawes hit a career-high four 3-pointers as part of his 18-point night that included nine rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Don McHenry made three 3-pointers and had 18 points, while freshmen Kendyl Sanders and Obomate Abbey each made two from long range.
Texas Tech got its 3-point shots from just three players. Anderson made 6 of 11, Atwell hit four and Toppin made three.
Utah will return home to play TCU on Saturday (noon MST, TNT). Then, the Utes hit the road again for two games next week, at Kansas State and No. 11 BYU.
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Chillious maintained that Utah will keep fighting as it searches for its first conference win.
“I think I said tonight — it’s coming. As long as they keep fighting and (show) resolve and pass the ball and trust each other and trust the game plan, execute the scout, it’s coming,” the assistant coach said. “It may not come as fast as we wanted to. Hopefully it’s coming Saturday, but it’s coming.”
The Bears and Utes played at a quick pace in the first quarter, but Scott and Jana Van Gytenbeek led a 10-0 scoring run late in the second quarter to create a 35-24 halftime lead. Utah was unable to …
Eleven days after the Utah women’s basketball team recorded its biggest win of the season, it welcomed another Top 20 team to the Huntsman Center. This time, however, the outcome wasn’t nearly as thrilling.
Taliah Scott scored 14 points and the 18th-ranked Baylor Bears held Utah to 26 percent shooting and downed the Utes 61-45 Wednesday night in front of 2,862 fans.
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After an exciting, dynamic first quarter, the game changed and the Utes were unable to put the ball in the basket. The usually offensive-minded Utes were held below 50 points for the third time this season — all against nationally ranked teams.
Utah was led by Chyra Evans and Lani White, who had 14 points each. The Utes, however, made just 3-25 (12 percent) shots from three-point range.
“They came in and defended us like crazy. We got some open looks,” said Utah coach Gavin Petersen. “If you asked us before the game that we would get 25 looks (from three-point range), I’d say did we get 10 of them? Nine of them?
“We’re probably going to get those kinds of looks in the future and we’ve got to make them,” he added. “We don’t have any time to feel sorry for ourselves. This (Baylor) is a team that’s known for their tradition in women’s basketball and they are where we want to get to.”
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Baylor improved to 16-3 overall and 5-1 in Big 12 Conference play. The Bears were predicted to finish third in the league standings and this win moved them into a tie for second place going into Saturday’s 3 p.m. game at BYU. Utah fell to 13-5 overall and 4-2 in league and travel to cellar-dweller Houston that day.
The Bears and Utes played at a quick pace in the first quarter, but Scott and Jana Van Gytenbeek led a 10-0 scoring run late in the second quarter to create a 35-24 halftime lead. Utah was unable to find its shooting stroke and couldn’t make a run.
“Ultimately, our length bothers teams when you’re not giving them the three (pointer), and the one thing I’m super proud of is we didn’t give up a lot of back-cut layups,” said Baylor coach Nicki Collen. “The number of times they moved the ball side to side, the number of opportunities to cut and the number of times we didn’t give up layups was pretty impressive.”
This was a forgettable night for the Utes, who seemed to have built momentum after dealing TCU its first loss 87-77 at the Huntsman Center on Jan. 3 and followed it with consecutive road wins over Kansas and Kansas State. Baylor, however, has also had good luck on the road and stayed undefeated (4-0) against the Utes in the series.
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“Their physicality and length stressed us,” said Evans, who also led the Utes with 11 rebounds. “It disrupted us and we panicked and tried to put up quick shots.”
That was particularly evident with the Utes’ top scorers — Lani White, Maty Wilke and Reese Ross. White had nine points in the first quarter but ended up making just 4 of 15 shots. Wilke had five points (all in the second half) and Ross finished 0-7 from the field, and had several shots swatted away by Baylor defenders.
Ross, however, used her gifted rebounding ability to grab eight boards and Utah claimed a 45-41 advantage in that department. The shooting difference, though, proved too much to overcome.
Utah Utes vs. Baylor Lady Bears at Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, UT on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Liv Medivitz/Utah Athletics | Liv Medivitz
Utah stayed winless in Big 12 action after falling on the road against No. 15 Texas Tech 88-74 at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Here are three takeaways from a loss that drops Utah …
Utah stayed winless in Big 12 action after falling on the road against No. 15 Texas Tech 88-74 at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas.
Here are three takeaways from a loss that drops Utah under .500 on the season (8-9) and to 0-4 in Big 12 play.
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Defense, defense, defense
The Utes have the second-worst scoring defense in the Big 12, and Texas Tech took advantage of Utah’s biggest weakness this year, especially in the first half.
At halftime, the Red Raiders were shooting 57.1% — they finished the game at 51.4%.
Texas Tech also had 13 first-half assists on 20 made field goals. By game’s end, the Red Raiders had 22 assists on 36 buckets.
Texas Tech stars JT Toppin and Christian Anderson led that offensive attack, as they both went for 18 points in the first half.
Toppin scored a game-high 31 points on 14 of 23 shooting, adding 13 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks and a steal, and Anderson had 26 points — including six 3-pointers — to go with 10 assists, three rebounds and two steals.
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The Red Raiders’ defense, meanwhile, did enough to keep Utah from seriously challenging in the second half and helped fuel an 18-1 Texas Tech run in the first half to break the game open.
The Red Raiders also forced Utah into 13 turnovers and blocked eight shots while holding Utah to 43.1% shooting.
Simply put, unless the Utes improve dramatically on defense, they’re unlikely to win more than a couple games in league play.
A lot of the same issues plagued Utah
In addition to a poor defensive night, the Utes’ woes against Texas Tech were the same ones they’ve dealt with earlier this season.
Utah got off to a slow start for the third time in four Big 12 games, as Texas Tech got out to a quick 15-6 lead while making its first five shots.
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The Red Raiders dominated the paint, out-rebounding Utah 41-28 and 13-6 on the offensive glass.
As a result, Texas Tech outscored the Utes 14-6 in second-half points.
Utah guard Don McHenry (3) shoots the ball against Texas Tech forward Donovan Atwell (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah head coach Alex Jensen signals to players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech guard Jaylen Petty (11) shoots a layup against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward Donovan Atwell (12) shoots the ball against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah guard Obomate Abbey (21) shoots the ball over Texas Tech guard Tyeree Bryan, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah forward Keanu Dawes (8) shoots the ball over Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah guard Terrence Brown (2) attempts to pass the ball against Texas Tech forward Donovan Atwell (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah forward Kendyl Sanders, right, attempts to pass the ball against Texas Tech guard Tyeree Bryan (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah forward James Okonkwo (32) attempts a layup against Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah guard Don McHenry (3) drives to the basket against Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson (4) and forward Lejuan Watts (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech fans cheer during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Texas Tech and Utah Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah guard Terrence Brown (2) attempts a layup against Texas Tech during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah guard Terrence Brown (2) drives to the basket against Texas Tech guard Jaylen Petty, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward JT Toppin (15) control the ball against Utah forward Josh Hayes (7) and forward Kendyl Sanders (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts (3) drives to the basket against Utah forward James Okonkwo, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward JT Toppin, left, and Utah forward James Okonkwo, right, go up for the tipoff during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Utah forward James Okonkwo, center, reaches for a rebound with forward Seydou Traore (0) while Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts (3) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts, center, passes the ball while Utah forward Seydou Traore (0) and forward James Okonkwo, right defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson (4) brings the ball up court against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward JT Toppin, left, shoots the ball against Utah guard Don McHenry (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
Texas Tech forward Lejuan Watts, center, fights for control of the ball against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. | Justin Rex
It was raining 3s for both teams
One aspect offensively that worked well for both schools was 3-point shooting.
The Utes made 12 of 25, tying their season high for number of makes — though it was the first time Utah hit double-digit 3s and lost this year.
Texas Tech, meanwhile, hit 13 of 31 from long range.
In addition to Anderson’s six, Donovan Atwell made four and Toppin three for the Red Raiders. Outside of those three, the rest of the Red Raiders team was 0 of 7 from 3-point range.
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Keanu Dawes made a career-high four 3-pointers for the Utes, as he finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Don McHenry added three 3-point makes of his own, helping him end the night with 18 points, two rebounds and an assist.
The Utah Utes (8-8, 0-3 Big 12) and No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders (12-4, 2-1) meet Wednesday. Tip-off from United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas, is set for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM …
Jan. 14, 2026, 10:13 a.m. ET
The Utah Utes (8-8, 0-3 Big 12) and No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders (12-4, 2-1) meet Wednesday. Tip-off from United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas, is set for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Utah vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Utah lost 89-84 to the No. 11 BYU Cougars Saturday, failing to cover as a massive 14.5-point home underdog with the Over (168.5) cashing. G Terrence Brown scored a team-high 25 points in the defeat. The Utes have come up short in 4 straight games and are 2-2 against the spread (ATS) in those, closing all 4 as an underdog of 9 points or greater. They are 5-11 ATS on the season.
The Red Raiders beat the Colorado Buffaloes 73-71 Saturday and failed to cover as a 4.5-point road favorite. The Under (160.5) hit. Four of Texas Tech’s starters eclipsed double figures, led by G Donovan Atwell’s 17 points. The Red Raiders, who have only lost to top-20 teams this season, have won 5 of their previous 6 games, covering in 4 of those. They are 8-8 ATS on the season.
Moneyline (ML): Utah +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000) | Texas Tech -2000 (bet $2,000 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Utah +17.5 (-110) | Texas Tech -17.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 159.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Utah at Texas Tech picks and predictions
Prediction
Texas Tech 89, Utah 74
PASS.
There’s no playable moneyline wager. Texas Tech (-2000) should win with ease and is far too expensive to consider as a massive home favorite.
BET UTAH +17.5 (-110).
The Utes failed to cover in their first 7 games, but the expectations were set too high for them. They have gone 5-4 ATS in their last 9 contests and 4-3 ATS in their previous 7 games as an underdog. Utah is 2-1 ATS on the road.
Texas Tech has been a dominant side, but as a home favorite of greater than 15, they are just 3-4 ATS. The Red Raiders’ defense has allowed 69 or more points in 3 straight games and might struggle to separate by this margin against a conference foe.
Take UTAH +17.5 (-110).
BET OVER 159.5 (-110).
Utah certainly doesn’t defend well. It has faced No. 1 Arizona and No. 11 BYU in the last 2 weeks and allowed 93 points per game in those competitions, going Over in both. It is 5-2 O/U in its last 7 games.
The Red Raiders have scored at least 82 points in 6 of their last 8 games, so they should do their part. With their defense having had its own issues, as noted above, it’s worth assuming plenty of points will be scored in this one.
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Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
The Utah Jazz (14-25) and Chicago Bulls (18-21) meet Wednesday. Tip-off from United Center in Chicago, Illinois, is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Jazz vs.
Jan. 14, 2026, 9:52 a.m. ET
The Utah Jazz (14-25) and Chicago Bulls (18-21) meet Wednesday. Tip-off from United Center in Chicago, Illinois, is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Jazz vs. Bulls odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Jazz lead 1-0 after 150-147 home win Nov. 16
The Jazz beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-112 Monday, covering as a massive 13-point road underdog. The Under (250.5) cashed. Utah was led by G Keyonte George, who dropped 32 points on 8-for-16 shooting. The Jazz have won 2 of their last 3 games yet are still just 2-6 over their last 8 contests, covering in 5 of those. They are 22-17 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
The Bulls lost to the Houston Rockets 119-113 Tuesday, covering as a 12.5-point road underdog with the Over (224.5) hitting. G Tre Jones went off, scoring 34 points on 11-for-12 shooting. Chicago has lost 4 of its last 5 games, going 2-3 ATS in that span. It is 19-19-1 ATS on the season.
Avoid this play and look below for the preferred wager. The Bulls (-145) are the play here but are slightly too expensive to take on the moneyline.
BET BULLS -2.5 (-115).
While beating the Cavaliers on the road is impressive, the Jazz lost to the Charlotte Hornets by 55 points in the game prior. Utah has lost 4 of its last 5 away games, with 2 of those losses coming by double figures. Its defense has been a major issue, allowing at least 118 points in those 4 road defeats.
The Bulls, despite their recent shortcomings, are 8-6 over their last 14 contests. In every win, they have covered the spread as well. Chicago has won 3 of its last 4 at home.
Take BULLS -2.5 (-115).
BET UNDER 244.5 (-105).
This total is just too high for how these teams have been competing. The Bulls are 1-4 O/U in their last 5 contests, eclipsing 113 points in just one of those games. They have allowed fewer than 120 points in all 5 performances.
The Jazz are 3-6 O/U in their last 9 games. They have topped 120 points in just 2 of their previous 8 games. Given the trends for both sides, back UNDER 244.5 (-105).
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
No. 18 Baylor heads to Salt Lake City to face the Utes — that’s the first of three home games over the next two weeks for Utah.
Over the past month and a half, Utah women’s basketball has lost only once — a one-point loss to a then-unbeaten Arizona State team.
Outside of that, the Utes have been one of the hottest teams in the Big 12 Conference in recent weeks, and that’s helped Utah get off to a 4-1 start in league play, tied for second in the standings.
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The Utes (13-4, 4-1 Big 12) have won 10 of their past 11 games, and that streak was headlined by a 10-point overtime win over then-No. 8 TCU on Jan. 3, as Utah took down the defending league champions.
“This team has bought in. We all have to buy in constantly, and we have to indulge and sacrifice for play like this,” Utah senior guard Lani White said after the win over the Horned Frogs 10 days ago. “So it was a good night, it was a team win, but yeah, we can only go forward. That’s what we do.”
Utah (13-4, 4-1 Big 12) is coming off its first two-game road trip of conference play, and the Utes were able to fend off late rallies from both Kansas and Kansas State to stay unbeaten in true road games, at 6-0.
The next couple of weeks, though, will be especially challenging, though three of their next four contests will be in the home confines of the Huntsman Center.
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That begins with a matchup against No. 18 Baylor on Wednesday (7 p.m. MST, ESPN+) at the Huntsman.
“I think Utah has been playing really, really well the last couple of weeks. They lost on a buzzer beater basically against Arizona State at home, then beat TCU and went on the Kansas swing and kinda handled business,” Baylor coach Nicki Collen told reporters.
“They’re a team that trusts their actions and works the ball. You don’t necessarily point to any one player, I think they’re a team full of really good players that can beat you with their ball movement and their execution. It’s going to be a unique challenge.”
A little bit about Baylor
The Bears (15-3, 4-1 Big 12) are one of only two Big 12 teams with a longer winning streak than Utah right now. Baylor is on a four-game winning streak, one better than the Utes’ three, and unbeaten Texas Tech is off to a school-record 19-0 start.
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Baylor’s only loss so far in Big 12 play came at home against No. 17 Texas Tech by a point. Their signature win of conference action thus far came on Jan. 4, when the Bears handed then-No. 10 Iowa State its first loss of the year.
Going into Tuesday, Baylor was ranked No. 29 in the NET rankings, 12 spots above Utah.
The Bears have won their past eight true road games, including three this season.
Baylor is led by Taliah Scott and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs.
Scott averages 20.6 points per game, second in the Big 12 behind only Iowa State’s Audi Crooks (28.3). Scott is shooting 41.7% from the field, 32.8% from 3 and 91.1% from the free-throw line, while adding 3.0 rebounds per game.
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Twice, Scott has been named the national player of the week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. That included earning the award two weeks ago, when she helped Baylor rally from 19 down against Oklahoma State, then hit the game-winner in beating Iowa State.
Littlepage-Buggs is averaging 10.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. She had her ninth double-double of the year with 16 points and 13 rebounds in the Bears’ win over Kansas on Sunday.
This will be the fourth meeting all-time between Baylor and Utah, with the Bears winning all three previous meetings. That’s included a Baylor win over the Utes in each of the past two seasons.
What’s been working for Utah
While White and fellow senior guard Maty Wilke have been the primary playmakers for Utah this season, the Utes are getting plenty of solid contributions — and it can change on any given night.
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White, who has earned the Big 12’s weekly starting five honors twice, is averaging a team-high 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, while Wilke, despite dealing with a nagging shoulder injury, is averaging 10.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest.
Reese Ross is coming off a career night, when she had 21 points in a win over Kansas State, and she’s the team’s top rebounder (7.9 per game). Ross has had double-digit rebounds in four of Utah’s last six games.
Then there’s players like Brooke Walker, Chrya Evans, LA Sneed, Avery Hjelmstad, Grace Foster and Evelina Otto, who’ve all come up with major contributions at different times — it’s shown off the depth Gavin Petersen’s group has.
What the road ahead holds
Utah will play three of its next four games at home. Those three opponents the Utes will face at home are a combined 13-2 record in Big 12 play.
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After Wednesday night’s game, Utah will hit the road for a game at Houston, which is 0-5 in league play, on Saturday before returning to Salt Lake City.
The Utes will then host No. 17 Texas Tech (19-0, 6-0 Big 12) on Jan. 24, then West Virginia (14-3, 4-1 Big 12) on Jan. 27 before playing at rival BYU (14-3, 3-2 Big 12) on Jan. 31 to wrap up the month.
Thus far, Utah has only played one team, TCU, who is in the upper half of the Big 12 standings. The No. 10 Horned Frogs are 16-1, 4-1 in league play, having won two straight after losing to the Utes.
Utah’s three other wins in Big 12 play have come against Arizona (1-4 in Big 12 play), Kansas (1-4) and Kansas State (2-3).
The Utes’ lone loss in league play came against an Arizona State team that stands 16-2 and 3-2 in league play.
PULLMAN — Washington State has finally landed an offensive lineman from the transfer portal. The Cougars signed Utah transfer offensive tackle Kalolo Ta’aga, the program announced Tuesday afternoon, …
Jan. 13—PULLMAN — Washington State has finally landed an offensive lineman from the transfer portal.
The Cougars signed Utah transfer offensive tackle Kalolo Ta’aga, the program announced Tuesday afternoon, bringing in an important piece for next season.
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Listed at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, Ta’aga started his career in 2024 at USC, where he didn’t see the field. He spent last season at Utah, where he played only 19 snaps in two games: 16 snaps of offense with a blowout win over Cal Poly out of reach, then three snaps of special teams against Texas Tech.
After redshirting in 2024, Ta’aga will have three years of eligibility, giving him some wiggle room with his development at WSU.
In his small sampling of offensive snaps, Ta’aga played right tackle, suggesting that’s where he might contribute for WSU. The Cougars’ top option at that position currently is Jaylin Caldwell, who has re-signed for next season, but he missed the final six games last year with a knee injury.
If the Cougars’ 2026 season started tomorrow, they would likely have their starting offensive linemen in the fold: Left tackle Ashton Tripp, left guard Jonny Lester, center Kyle Martin, right guard Noah Dunham and right tackle Caldwell.
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Even though offensive line ranked closer to the bottom in head coach Kirby Moore’s list of priorities for the upcoming season
, Ta’aga’s addition remains crucial for the Cougs, especially if he can play one of the guard spots. WSU might like Lester and Dunham, but the latter is pretty inexperienced, playing 210 snaps in seven games last season, the majority filling in for injured teammates in the middle of the season. Lester showed some meaningful versatility last season, moving to right tackle when Caldwell went down with an injury, but he’s at his best on the interior.
A native of East Palo Alto, California, Ta’aga was a three-star prospect in the class of 2024. At the time, he earned offers from Florida, BYU, Arizona, Arizona State, Cal and others. He was ranked by 247 Sports as the No. 49 overall recruit in California and the No. 51 offensive tackle nationwide.
Ta’aga’s addition also fits in nicely with Moore’s strategy in the portal, which seems to be finding Power 4 athletes who didn’t get a chance to play much at their previous schools and give them a shot with the Cougars. Of the 26 players WSU has landed via the portal this offseason, nine come from the Power 4 ranks.
