Giacoletti focusing on 'today'

It's no secret that the Utah basketball team is mired in its worst season in more than 30 years.

Standing just 5-11, the Utes have produced their worst mark at this point of the season since 1972-73 when the team was 4-12 after 16 games.

Their 0-3 conference mark is the worst in 54 years. If they lose Saturday in Albuquerque and at home Tuesday against 15th-ranked Air Force, which are very real possibilities, the Utes could be 0-5. Only once in history, back in 1935-36 in the old Rocky Mountain Conference, has a University of Utah team been 0-5 in conference play.

Because of the Utes' disappointing season, coach Ray Giacoletti's future is being discussed on Internet Web sites and around the water cooler. Web sites such as "firegiacoletti.com" and "giacolettimustgo.com" have sprung up, and disgruntled fans are e-mailing athletic director Chris Hill and Ute beat writers.

When asked Thursday to talk about the state of the Ute program right now, Hill chose his words carefully.

"I have to acknowledge all of us are disappointed in where the program is right now," Hill said. "It's been tough for all of us — the players, coaches — all of us in the program."

Hill preferred not to speculate on Giacoletti's future with the program when asked, except to say that all Ute athletic programs are evaluated at the end of each season.

"I don't want to spend any time commenting on that," he said. "It's not fair to the team right now."

It's been extremely frustrating for Giacoletti, who just two years ago was riding high with a 29-6 Sweet 16 team and appearances all over the country with National Player of the Year Andrew Bogut. While he expected his young team would have its ups and downs this year, he didn't expect it to be mostly downs.

Giacoletti said he's had "so many different emotions" and that he "can't sleep and can't eat" as he tries to figure out a way to find some victories for his sophomore- and freshman-laden team. He's also not unaware of what people are saying behind his back.

"I know where things are and what the circumstances and consequences are," he said. "But you can't dwell on that or you're not going to get done today what you need to. We have to keep this team positive and believing, and that's hard to do today."