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.

Utah is making an abrupt change to its men’s basketball program. The school announced Monday that it has parted ways with Runnin’ Utes head coach Craig Smith. Assistant coach Josh Eilert will serve as Utah’s interim head coach for the remainder of the current campaign.

The University of Utah fired men’s basketball coach Craig Smith on Monday, a day after a 76-72 loss at Central Florida that dropped the Utes to 15-12 this season. Smith was in his fourth season in charge of the program.