Utah saw its season come to a close last week in the opening round of the Pac-12 Tournament. No bid from the NIT landed on Sunday, thrusting coach Craig Smith and his group into an important offseason.

The Runnin’ Utes could look much different next season. There are decisions to make, notably from star center Branden Carlson. The first of those decisions came down on Monday; guard Mike Saunders Jr. is leaving the program after one season.

The Salt Lake Tribune’s Josh Newman reported Monday that Saunders has put his name in the transfer portal. He transferred into the program last offseason after two years with Cincinnati.

Though he was a target of the coaching staff last offseason, Saunders wasn’t able to crack a spot in the regular rotation until injuries forced Smith’s hand.

Saunders played 23 minutes in the season-opener, then saw more than 15 minutes only once more until Feb. 23. An injury to Rollie Worster — when Gabe Madsen was already out with his own injury — led to an opportunity for Saunders. He played 24 minutes against UCLA and 20 against USC, exploding for 25 points against the Bruins and then adding another eight against the Trojans.

He saw just two minutes in the regular-season finale, though, and was a DNP in Utah’s tournament game against Stanford.

The 6-foot, 185-pound sophomore guard averaged 4.1 points and 0.8 assists this season.

Now, he’ll be looking for his third team in as many years. The Utes are also losing Marco Anthony (graduation) this offseason, but 6-foot-3 combo guard Hunter Erickson has already signed after a year at Salt Lake CC.