The Utah Checkdown

Alex Jensen embraces past but is focused on future; spring football begins

The University of Utah formally introduced Alex Jensen as the next head coach of the Runnin' Utes Monday.
And while the university hopes to bring back the Rick Majerus era to the program, Jensen is focused on his own future.
Host Josh Furlong recaps the highlights from the press conference and what it will mean for Utah basketball. Is the university trying to create Rick Majerus 2.0? What will be considered success for Jensen?
He talks all that and more before a conversation about spring football and what fans should be focused on as the team begins its 15-day training period.
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL

Utah’s new ‘College Town Magic’ and the Huntsman Center move

Alex Jensen will be formally introduced to the public on Monday in an open press conference for fans to attend.
Can he win the press conference and give Utah fans hope for a new era of men's basketball?
Host Josh Furlong gives an update on the Runnin' Utes and where things are headed, as well as providing a look at the newly announced "College Town Magic" changes to campus for the University of Utah.
As part of that change on campus is a move of the Huntsman Center. Furlong breaks it down to see what this is all about and how it could impact the sports that rely on the Huntsman Center.
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL

The Kansas City debate intensifies

It's March, which means conference basketball tournaments and the ensuing NCAA Tournament experience.
But as Utah experiences the Big 12 Tournament for the first time in Kansas City, host Josh Furlong found himself immersed in a hotly-debated conversation about the location of the conference tournament.
Are you Team Las Vegas or Team Kansas City? Are there advantages to either location?
He also has a brief preview of the Runnin' Utes first game against UCF in the tournament, and what to look forward to beyond that.
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL

Is Alex Jensen Utah's target for the Runnin' Utes job?

A week after the University of Utah fired men's basketball head coach Craig Smith, the coaching search has circled around one person.
Host Josh Furlong gives an updated on the Utah coaching search and why former Runnin' Utes star Alex Jensen remains the only name for the job. He also breaks down what it could mean for Utah with Jensen at the helm.
Who would Jensen bring on staff? What players would be a priority to keep at Utah.
Additionally, he talks about Utah's final week of the regular season and what the team can do to earn a top-eight seed in the Big 12, while also looking at the women's Big 12 Tournament and Utah's chances.
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL

Runnin’ Utes their own worst enemy while Utes women excel

It was an opportunity wasted. The Runnin' Utes had two wins over the Kansas schools and had some momentum going into the final stretch of the regular season.
The problem? The Runnin' Utes became their own worst enemies.
Host Josh Furlong breaks down Utah's weekend loss to a bad UCF team and what it means moving forward.
He also breaks down the successes of the Utah women's basketball team as they enter their final week of the regular season, as well as the season-high performance from the Red Rocks.
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL

Playoff expansion is coming ... soon

This week, leaders from the Big Ten and SEC are laying the groundwork to expanding the College Football Playoffs to 14 or 16 teams.
Host Josh Furlong breaks down the plans and what an expansion of the playoff would look like, while also looking as some of the ramifications for teams like Utah.
He also gives an update on a Utah bill that is being reviewed at the state legislature that would allow athletic departments to pay athletes, as well as how this is related to the House settlement.
How will this affect Utah and teams like it, listen in to see how.
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL

Football offseason takes shape, Runnin’ Utes upset KU

It was a great weekend to be a Utah fan — from Utah women's basketball overwhelming Arizona State on the road to the Runnin' Utes getting an upset win over then-No. 17 Kansas.
Host Josh Furlong recaps the weekend's games and what they could mean for the respective teams going forward. Could there be an improved postseason for both teams?
Josh also talks spring football and a little of what to expect, while also looking at some of Utah's focus for its upcoming recruiting class.
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL

Gianna Kneepkens, Avery Neff highlight Utes sports

It's been a busy week for Utah athletics, and it's the women that are consistently in the spotlight.
The women's basketball team continue to pile up wins, with Gianna Kneepkens scoring at a career-best in nearly every game. The Red Rocks also celebrated 50 years of dominance, with Avery Neff coming back from injury to highlight an electric night.
Host Josh Furlong highlights these women and their latest accomplishments, especially a rare feat for the women's basketball team.
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL

Breaking down Utah’s 2025 football schedule

The 2025 season is still months away, but now you can start planning out your weekends in fall.
Host Josh Furlong takes the full episode to breakdown Utah football's 2025 schedule. He takes a look at each game and how it sets up for the Utes, as well as key takeaways.
He also lightly reviews other schools in the Big 12 to see what teams have interesting components to their schedule that may impact Utah or the league as a whole.
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL

Utah football the favorite out of the Big 12 again?

It's January and there's already one prominent figure that has labeled Utah football his favorite to win the Big 12 and be included in the 12-team playoff.
Host Josh Furlong takes a look at the playoff report to see if there's any merit to the claim, while also giving an update on some of the things happening around the football world.
He also breaks down the most recent NCAA revenue and expenses report that Utah released that shows the athletic department in a $17 million deficit for the last fiscal year.
Is this cause for concern?
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL