Utah Basketball in the BIG12

[Kellso]

If you were told before the season started that Utah would be 5-6 in the BIG12 at this point, with a win over TDS, would you have been surprised? Is it an improvement over last year?

[concerned]

Not to me. last year we had two players who were better than any player we have this year–Carlson and D. Smith.

[utefansince79]

I’m very happy we beat TD$$$$ who has a few players making more than some of the ones playing down at the Delta Center.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

This team has over achieved with the talent level and so many new players. Problem is our high water mark won’t get us a trip to the dance.

[utefansince79]

A very respectable result came early in the year against Mississippi State (on a “neutral court” in the same state). Kept it close the whole way against a team projected (last I checked) as a 7 seed in the Big Dance.

[alexsmith]

In my opinion, if we took 2 out of 3 of the non-conference games that were against real competition, we probably are looking at a March Madness bid.

[NashvilleUteFan]

Crazy to think about that but I agree. Those early losses against Miss St, Iowa, and St Mary’s were a much bigger deal than they were made out to be at the time.

[NarfUte]

There are 355 NCAA collegiate men’s basketball teams. Utah is ranked #352 in FT %. With that, i’m surprised they’ve won any games.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

Amazing stat NarfUte. You would not expect that from a team that lacks talent. Anyone can shoot and make a free throw. FT % should be a strength not a weakness.

[Kellso]

Is Smith a bad coach and/or a bad recruiter? He’s doing more with less talent. I’m not advocating for him either way, just a season ticket holder who loved the game.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

I don’t think Smith is a bad coach. He has overachieved with the talent he has. Problem is recruiting and NIL. He has been unable to recruit top talent and donors don’t want to support a losing team or a coach that hasn’t proven he can win.

[Holladay Ute]

The current state of the basketball program doesn’t feel great and so I understand the criticisms.

That said, I agree w/ Kellso. It’s hard to be disappointed w/ a 5-6 conference record (and a win over TDS) in what is one of the best conferences in the country, if not the best, during our first year transitioning in and after we lost our two best players from last year.

Let’s see how the rest of the season goes. Craig deserves at least that. And then let’s talk.

The biggest frustration (and maybe why most people feel like Craig isn’t the guy for us) is what happened before this season. Last year’s team absolutely should have made it into March Madness at a minimum. It was a total coaching failure. Brandon Carlson, Deivon Smith, and Gabe Madsen (w/ a few decent role players behind them) absolutely should have been enough to receive a spot in the tournament.

[TX_UTE]

Yes, pleasantly surprised. YTD, the Men’s BB has overachieved a bit in B12 Hoops and in 2024 the FB team underachieved…

[AlohaUte]

I’m definitely surprised. Nice expected us to finish bottom 3.

The program has a long way to go, but I’m not terribly disappointed in the season.

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