The Utes were one week removed from beating Kansas and Kansas State. They were a tick under .500 in Big 12 play, and they had a manageable stretch upcoming — so manageable that it was easy to envision the Utes, who were picked dead last in the Big 12’s preseason media poll, finishing as high as sixth or seventh place.

College basketball insider Jeff Goodman gave his take on the decision deeming it "strange timing" amid the team's 7-9 record in the Big 12 . He then went into further detail regarding his surprise at the decision. "Smith was hired at Utah following 3 straight NCAA tournaments at Utah State," Goodman said .