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SALT LAKE CITY - Similar to the end of the movie "Old Yeller," Wednesday night was the night that Ute basketball finally got put out of its misery.
Now the real work begins for Ute head coach Larry Krystkowiak. This is going to be his first complete off-season as the head man on the hill. That means a full season of recruiting, a full off-season of fitness programs, and a full off-season of implementing his coaching philosophy.
After a 6-25 season, the worst in program history, there is a lot of work that needs to be done.
Not to add to the misery of the season that fans just went through, but the only way to go is up. The last time Utah basketball was even in this ballpark of struggling was in 1972-73 when the team went 8-19 - many Ute fans would pine for a record like that at this point.
This season saw two 8-game losing streaks and a four game losing streak. Only once this season did the Utes win back-to-back games, and that didn't even occur this calendar year. It happened December 16th and 19th against Idaho State and Portland, not exactly world beaters.
What happened this season didn't come to a surprise to some Ute fans. Sure in the fashion some the losses came in was a big surprise, especially with the 40+ point losses. But in terms of the win and loss record many people anticipated a possible historically bad year. On the U Fan Cast earlier this season we had a discussion with Ute fans, and most of them was wondering if the basketball team would win as many games as the football team (see Part 3). As it turned out the team was unable to match the football guys with eight victories.
Ute fans had to suffer through some close losses as well, and if only they had one more offensive play maker, it would have made all the difference in the world. In Wednesday night's Pac-12 tournament game against Colorado, the Utes held them scoreless from the field in the first and second half for nine minutes or more. The problem was in those stretches the Utes just couldn't take advantage on the offensive end, frankly because there really was no one on the other side of the ball that could create their own shot. Sure Jason Washburn would make the occasional play, but there was no offensive leader that could consistently put the team on their back to lead the Utes to a victory.
The cards were stacked against this coaching staff going into this past off-season. The coaches were behind when they took the jobs. They had to catch up on recruiting the day they stepped on campus. They started successfully by landing one of the best in the state in West Jordan High's Jordan Loveridge. Before Coach K and company could get settled leading scorer Will Clyburn and promising freshman JJ O'Brien had transferred out of the program. Then right out of the gates in the new season the best shot blocker to ever don the Crimson in David Foster hurt his foot in the opening game and never made it back to the court. As the season really started to pick up steam the Utes dismissed starting point guard and leading scorer Jiggy Watkins. Frankly with the defections from the program, the injuries, and Jiggy's dismissal, this team was made up of role players and probable walk-ons in any normal season.
During one of the segments from this last week's U Fan Cast we had a ‘Survivor' type conversation, voting players on and off the roster for next season. It is apparent that a majority of this team will not be back next season - they were place holders for the seven incoming players that this staff really wanted to begin the rebuilding process. Most of this year may have been an extended try out period for a majority of the players on the roster. Of course Jason Washburn will be back, Chris Hines as well, outside of that everyone else on the roster could be on shaky grounds. I'd say that the starting five this year, outside of Washburn, may make up the bench next season.
Going through social media and message boards, Ute fans are happy that this season has come and gone, and understandably so. However, there is a sense of curiosity and excitement for the future among many of them also. Many of them are curious of what Coach K can bring into the fold for next year and if the ship could be set on course in short order.
There is some good news for Ute fans on the horizon though - spring football starts in two weeks.
Shane Roberts is a producer/writer for the U Fan Cast on TheUFanCast.com, a Utah-centric podcast that gives a voice to the fan. Twitter: @Shane_U_FanCast
