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

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 .

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.