The first Utah basketball game of the post-Craig Smith era was a blowout, as the Runnin’ Utes were overwhelmed by No. 22 Arizona 83-66 Wednesday at the McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona. With interim head coach Josh Eilert leading Utah,

The decision to fire Utah men’s basketball head coach Craig Smith sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many questioning the move

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.