There’s no sugarcoating this season, the University of Utah Men’s Basketball program is suffering through a historically bad season. At 5-20 coming into today’s contest, with fellow Pac 12 newbie Colorado, the Utes have suffered their first 20 loss season in more than 100 years of playing Dr. Naismith’s game. A minimum of 6 games remain for Larry Krystkowiak’s team this season, then the rebuilding project begins with his first “real” recruiting class coming in next season, along with a pair of talented transfers (Glen Dean and Aaron Dotson) sitting out and ready to play next season.

Today at the Huntsman Center, Utes fans will get a chance to forget this season’s struggles for just a little while and remember fondly one of the great seasons in Utah Basketball History. Today Utah will honor the 1976-77 Men’s squad, coached by Jerry Pimm and led by Jeff Jonas and Jeff Judkins. The team that went 22-7 won the WAC Championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. That season was highlighted by an early season wins over national powers UNLV and at Rupp Arena against Kentucky.

I had dinner last week in Arizona with Jeff Jonas and then spoke with him again on Thursday on my radio show. The one thing that shines through when talking to Jonas or any of his teammates from that team and era of Utah Basketball is the pride in the program and love of the school. It’s something the Krystkowiak and his staff are trying to build once again with the players in the program. Names like Buster Matheney, Greg Deane, Tony Hodges, Michael Dunn and more were key players on the 1976-77 Utah squad, but also key names in Utah Basketball History.

I’m looking forward to meeting the man that put that team together, Head Coach Jerry Pimm. I’ve been around Utah Basketball for more than 10 years now and I don’t recall a time when Coach Pimm came back to a game. He’s living and retired in Santa Barbara, after 15 very successful seasons as Head Coach of the Gauchos. Pimm was 173-86 in his nine seasons as the bench boss at Utah and had a number of very good teams, winning 3 WAC Championships. You can make a case (and those being honored today probably will) that the 76-77 team was Pimm’s best at Utah.

So in a season, where things haven’t gone the way that Utah fans have grown accustomed over the years, today will be a nice chance to reflect on the good times, honor those who brought them and look forward to a time when Utah Basketball is great once again.

If you can’t make it to the Huntsman Center this afternoon, join us on the radio. Jimmy Soto joins me on today’s broadcast on the Flagship Home of the Utes, ESPN 700. Pre Game coverage begins at 2:30 and tipoff at 3pm.