The problem with Utah Basketball

[Red Dawn]

The main problem is that I (and I feel many others) used to consider football and basketball as almost equals on the “importance” scale. Now I view it more as a 95/5 scale. Football has grown that much, and basketball (especially with all the transfers) has lost ground. Though outside of a few basketball colleges, I think this is consistant with college sports nationwide. 

Regarding the game yesterday. I didnt watch. I wasnt surprised with the outcome. Frankly, I wasn’t invested at all. With so much turnover in the bball program its hard to get excited. Players are constanly leaving, fans have no connection or knowledge of them. It seems like we’re trending downward, despite the recruit rankings. 

I like coach K, but there are a few disturbing trends. Some that he can control, some that are just a result of the current environment of collegiate sports. The apathy in the bball team is definitely a cause for concern. Maybe we are all still in football mode. Maybe, basketball just hasnt had much spark the last few years. Losing to BYU should have moved the needle alot more than it did. Times have changed. 

 

 

 

 

[ironman1315]

The biggest problem is that this team has no fight.

[HoosierinUt]

I gave up my season tickets two years ago now. Really happy with that decision. The product isn’t worth the $$$ whatsoever. I agree, can’t even keep track of who is on the team anymore.

I blame Coach K for pretty much all of the apathy. But, probably not the way most people blame him. I think he is a really good coach. But, he has not been recruiting the players that fit his style of play/willing to deal with his personality whatsoever. I think he has stars in his eyes, but that shouldn’t be his approach. Now he has 100% say in who is being recruited…..so again, I give him all the blame.

Maybe the only way he learns this lesson is to be fired (although boosters are not going to pony up the $$$ to fire him, it’s a very substantial amount). I don’t want that to happen, he is a good coach.

Another problem is our local media. They refuse to actually call him out for the last several years. You cannot have several straight “rebuilding years” and the continual “next year” BS. It’s unacceptable.

Coach recruits the players that he also runs off…..and he should have to answer to that. Our local media is not up to task for that. They are in awe of the guy, not exactly independent of him.

Only real way to put pressure on the U is to withhold your $$$. As little interest there is in the team, fans are speaking up.

Next move is up to Coach K and the AD. My money returns when the product warrants it, not before. “Next year” is fools gold.

[palos_verdes_ute]

I think we as fans, put basketball behind football because there is nothing to be excited about.  But, the school is behind the basketball program just as much as football.  You can’t deny that.  It’s just a matter of tweaking the right parameters.

[GameForAnyFuss]

It’s like that all around the country, honestly. Football has relegated basketball firmly to second tier status. And honestly I’m not sure why this is: Basketball has a lot less injuries, a lot less dumb rules (and dumb refs interpreting those rules), a lot less off-court issues, etc. 

AndI don’t buy the excuse that basketball attendance would be high if we were good. We’ve had future NBA players playing on top 10 teams and still couldn’t sell out the Hunty. Conversely, football can have multiple bad years and we still sell out every game. People just want to watch football I guess. 

As one of the few “basketball first” people left, it’s hard to see this happening everywhere (well, everywhere except Duke). But at least it’s easy to get good seats.

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