Boos rained down from the Jon. M Huntsman Center, as another free throw clanked off the rim.
Some Utah fans yelped “C’mon” during the Runnin' Utes' 18-of-35 night from the charity stripe on Wednesday. Others voiced their displeasure as boos that bounced off the walls of Utah’s arena during its 72-59 win over Colorado.
And even Utah head coach Craig Smith admitted those fans might’ve had a point — though he’d prefer not to hear those boos again.
“When you’re at home, of course, you want your fans to support you and be all in, but I know it’s frustrating,” he said. “Yeah, I get it ... but [we have to] step up to the plate and own it. With the time you’ve put in, you’ve got to own it and have conviction with what you’re doing.
“[We’ve] spent the time, [we’re] putting in the reps. Own it, believe in yourself, trust in yourself, and go do it.”
This season the Runnin' Utes are shooting a collective 62.3% from the free throw line. That mark ranks last in the entire Big 12.
Utah started out 1 of 8 from the line in the first half against Colorado. It was clear the Buffaloes were trying to foul the Utes at the rim due to their poor free-throw shooting.
“We knew their weakness,” Colorado head coach Tad Boyle said after the game. “Their big guys are good around the basket and we had to make them beat us from the line.”
Ultimately, Utah pulled away from the Buffaloes with an 18-6 scoring run in the second half.
“It wasn’t the prettiest of games,” senior guard Gabe Madsen said. “But, it was good to finish a game like that.”
The Utes are now 5-6 in the league and have a chance to secure their first Quad 1 victory with a bout against West Virginia at 3 p.m. MT on Saturday in Morgantown, West Virginia.
