What the Runnin’ Utes said after the team’s first official practice

“It was hard in the beginning because I got injured like the first game (at Utah),” Langarita said. “But now I feel so much (more) comfortable. I got much confidence now. I just want to play and do it good.”

After all this time working together during the offseason, the Utes will have their first chance to face someone new on Oct. 7, when they travel to Las Vegas to take on UNLV in their exhibition opener.

“It’s hard when you go against each other for every day as much as we do. It’s why I think those exhibition games are a good idea,” Jensen said.

Utah will also play at Nevada (Oct. 17) and host Oregon (Oct. 21) before opening the regular season Nov. 2.

“I feel like everybody’s super excited because like I said, we’ve been practicing for three months,” Anigbata said. “Everybody’s just excited to team up together and play against an opponent. And yeah, we’re looking forward to it for sure.”

With another year together, the hope is that Jensen and his staff will take steps toward the program’s ultimate goal of returning to the NCAA Tournament while also becoming a bigger factor in the Big 12.

In two and a half weeks, this edition of the Runnin’ Utes will get their first taste of facing someone else with the exhibition opener.

“There’s nothing like replicating a full game. That’s why I referenced the exhibition games are great,” Jensen said. “The more time I think they can spend together on the court and off the court helps. And like I said, it’s a fun group.”