This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Saturday's basketball game against UNLV is the last home game of the year for the Runnin' Utes. The pressing question is, will the game be the last for coach Jim Boylen, too?
Rumors have swirled all season that Boylen could be on the way out after five years as the Utes' coach.
At 13-16 overall and 6-9 in league play, the Utes are going to finish with a record virtually identical to the one they had in 2009-10, when they finished tied with Colorado State for fifth place in the Mountain West Conference at 7-9.
Last year's struggles led to an overhaul of the team, with five players transferring, the last being Jace Tavita, who was named a captain this year and then left the team in December.
However, while the Utes' record hasn't improved, Boylen and the players all insist they are a better team this year.
Whether or not such perceived improvement is enough to earn Boylen another year is the question.
Utah athletic director Chris Hill hasn't given the coach any public support, saying only that Boylen's performance will be evaluated at the end of the year.
Boylen, meanwhile, is doing his best to keep the focus on the remaining games, however many that might be.
If the Utes beat the Rebels they will go into the MWC tournament as the sixth seed. Winning Saturday and making a run at the tournament is the focus now for Boylen.
"It's our last home game we have to play this year, but there is a lot of basketball left," he said.
Firing Boylen would cost the Utes $2 million, according to the contract extension he was awarded following the Utes' run to the MWC title in 2008-09.
But Hill could feel pressure to make a move — not only due to a lack of results, but also to appease fans who have grown tired of seeing the Utes lose.
Utah's home attendance officially is averaging 8,312 fans this year, but that is paid attendance. Actual attendance has been much lower as fans have shown their displeasure with the program by staying away.
That isn't the type of image or support Hill needs as he tries to raise funds to help the Utes make their move to the Pac-10.
The one group that has voiced support for Boylen is the players. Center David Foster acknowledged following the loss at San Diego State that it was hard to hear the Aztecs' fans taunting Boylen with calls that he was going to be fired. Foster said he felt pressure to win for his coach.
Guard Josh Watkins said following the Utes' 78-65 loss at CSU that he felt the coaching staff was doing what it could to make the Utes successful.
"They're a great coaching staff," he said. "They're teaching us a lot, and all we can do is play, play the season right now that we are playing."
But playing without winning might not be enough for Boylen's sake.
lwodraska@sltrib.comTwitter: @lyawodraska —
Utes under Boylen
Season Overall MWC
2007-08 18-15 7-9
2008-09 24-10 12-4
2009-10 14-17 7-9
2010-11 13-15 6-8 —
UNLV at Utah
P At the Huntsman Center
Tipoff • 2 p.m.
TV • Versus
Radio • 700 AM
Records • Utah 13-16, 6-9; UNLV 22-7, 10-5
Series history • UNLV leads 23-22
Last meeting • UNLV, 67-54 (Feb. 2)
About the Utes • The Utes are coming off a 78-65 loss at Colorado State in which they allowed the Rams to shoot 26 of 48. … The Utes were outrebounded in that game 35-21 even though they average 36 rebounds for the season. … Will Clyburn continues to lead the Utes, averaging 17.6 points and 8.0 rebounds.
About the Rebels • The Rebels are locked into third place in the conference standings and enter the game on a four-game winning streak. … Tre'Von Willis leads the team in scoring, averaging 13 points. … Quintrell Thomas had 15 points and 16 rebounds in the last meeting between the teams.