Basketball State of Mind

 
Here we are again. How time flies. March Madness is upon us and for the second straight season the cougs were not invited to the big dance. The road for BYU won't be getting any easier anytime soon as a member next season in the Big 12. Exit interviews are currently underway and so far a couple pieces appear to already be moving on from the program.

College basketball's transfer recently opened with Hao Dong (6-6 freshman Forward) and Braeden Moore (6-9 freshman Forward from Nashville TN) have both placed their names in the portal. Dong was a RSL Academy graduate who committed to BYU last July. Thus, not a surprising move playing in 4 games and only accumulating 8 total minutes. Moore's move is also not much of a surprise either with pretty much nonexistent playing time. 

Coach Mark Pope will certainly have his work cut out for him in the offseason. Rudi Williams and Gideon George exhausted their eligibility. Although, Jake Wahlin returns home. Am speculating that there may be another or two who place their name in the portal or move on in the coming weeks. There will be some soul searching possible staff shakeup, and recruiting to rebuild the roster with hopes to be even somewhat competitive entering the Big 12. Pope must know that his seat may be growing hot.

This squad saw the pendulum swing both directions this season with some good times (victories over Creighton, Utah including a 7 game win streak) as well as some tough trials (consecutive losses to Utah Valley, South Dakota and a 4 game losing streak). This squad seemed to struggle with a number of concerning basic fundamentals (breaking the press, free throws, etc). Pope has mentioned the struggle in being able to offer comparable NIL deals in order to recruit the better athletes.

BYU has a decent group of young players to build around (Dallin Hall, Richie Saunders, Fouss, etc. Although, there are still some glaring needs that can be addressed with the portal. The cougs need more of a scoring punch, someone who can create their own shot. Finding another piece in the guard line that can complement Dallin or Richie would be beneficial.

With Gideon George's eligibility used up it leaves Jaxson Robinson as really the only remaining wing player with decent length. Saunders can bring the hustle not found in the box score but BYU better address the length to match up with most teams in the new conference. Otherwise, teams will absolutely exploit that at will in the Big 12.

There is no question that Fousse is the cougs best player. Atiki played incredibly well in the WCC tourney but BYU must find a way to add another big man. Fousse seemed to struggle at times matching up with bigger players. The cougs really need to find a true big man who can play the 5 spot, who can crash the boards, protect the rim and from time to time put the ball in the hoop. 

What Pope does in the offseason surely will be a treat to watch. Am definitely intrigued to see what needs will be met and how soon BYU can compete in the Big 12. Time will only tell. 

Spring Football: Prep For the Big12

 
Spring football is upon us as BYU will now embark on its inaugural season as a member of the Big 12 Conference after 12 years of Independence. During that time period the cougs stacked up a record of 99-56 and now enter the league hoping to make an immediate impact.

This is where it all starts and the work begins. Following the disappointing 2022 season BYU revamped both the staff as well as the roster. BYU will now have 15 practice sessions stretched over six weeks discovering what it has, what changes still need to be addressed, implementing new schemes/strategies, figuring out a 2 deep, among other things with the end goal in mind placing the best product on the field to compete from day one. 

During this time period there will be a number of things both coaches and fans will have in observations and their impressions. There are numerous questions to be asked. What will the offensive line look like this year with having so many departures and incoming transfers? Due to the same roster overhaul what will the 2 deep look like? Can the kicking game ever recover? What players will stand out and rise to the occasion, while others may decide to look elsewhere? How will the reworked defensive line perform this year? The list could go on. 

The road graders. Most fans know everything starts and ends in the trenches. Offensive Line Assistant Coach Darrell Funk had to revamp pretty much the entire line with the numerous departures and incoming transfers. Listed below is my best guess at a OL 2 deep but is certainly wide open at the moment as is a work in progress as the staff is still trying to nail down what five work best together considering so many interchangeable rotating parts. 

LT-Kingsley Suamataia, Brayden Keim
LG-Connor Pay, Sam Dawe
C-Paul Maile, Connor Pay
RG-Ian Fitzgerald, Weylin Lapuaho
RT-Lisala Tai

The quarterback room. With Jaren Hall onto the NFL who will step up to continue the quarterback factory? Initial observations have shown transfer Kedon Slovis to already have settled in nicely as the next man up. Jake Retzlaff may certainly push Slovis but has been sidelined due to having his tonsils out. Former Boise State transfer Cade Fennegan is also hoping to make the most of his opportunity. One note item worth mentioning at the moment Sol Jay Maiava Peters has been moved to running back. At the moment all indications seem to appear that BYU football is in good hands with Slovis holding the keys to the offense.

The pigskin and the carriers. Gone is Christopher Brooks but incoming UNLV transfer Aiden Robbins should be a rather fine replacement. There are a few remaining familiar faces in Miles Davis (has switched jersey numbers from 19 to 4), Hinckley Ropati and newcomers Sol-Jay (switching from QB), Helu Nukuluve. Helu back from a mission will be looking to make some noise while Ropati hopes to build and last year's success. The talent and depth will be reinforced even further in the fall with the arrival of heralded freshman LJ Martin. 

Taking flight. Puka took his football (and his talents) to the next level. There still remains a solid core of receivers for Slovis to rely on: Kody Epps, Keanu Hill, Chase Roberts and look for Dom Henry to emerge. With Epps still recovering from shoulder surgery Slovis seems to have found a solid connection with Henry. Once the season starts look for Kody Epps to have a breakout season announcing himself to the nation. 

Tight End Tradition Continues On. While BYU may be known predominantly as Quarterback Factory, those signal callers wouldn't receive all the notoriety without the hogs on the OL and someone on the receiving end of all of those passes. The cougs certainly have a rich history at this position. Names such as Clay Brown, Byron Rex, Chad Lewis, Matt Bushman, Chris Smith, Jonny Harline, Dennis Pitta, Doug Jolley, Todd Christensen, Gordon Hudson among so many others brings back many fond memories. This year's crew is no different full of talent. Isaac Rex is the headliner with Masen "Air" Wake, Ethan Erickson and Jackson Bowers (who will arrive in the Fall). Ethan has improved his blocking skills and has been emerging as the number 2. Look for Bowers to make a strong push in the two deep once on campus.

Defensive Line Overhaul. Coach Poppinga (over the defensive ends) and Sione Po'uha (over the defensive tackles) will have their work cut out for them starting nearly from scratch. Some scary stats BYU ranked 102nd in red zone defense (60 chances with 53 scores), ranked 98th in rushing defense (allowing 4.55 yards/rush, 173.8 yards per game with 22 rushing TDs), ranked 97th in scoring defense allowing 383 total points or 29.46 per game, 130th (out of 131 rankings) in team sacks 15 total or 1.15 sacks per game. Names to look for who hope to make the two deep for DEs include Isaiah Bagnah (transfer from Boise State), Michael Daley, Aisea Moa, Logan Lutui and Tyler Batty. Sione will work heavily with Atunaisa Mahe, Jackson Cravens (incoming transfer from Boise State), Caden Haws and John Nelson who seemed to make a strong impression towards the year end. The only way is up to improve on last years stats.

Linebacking Crew. BYU has a great history at this position. Such names include: Rob Morris, Kurt Gouveia, Fred Warner, Sione Takitaki, Shay Muirbrook, Kyle Van Noy, etc. This year is no different. Assistant Coach Justin Ena certainly will have some talent to worth with. Names hoping to be on the two deep include: Ben Bywater, Chaz Ah You, Isaiah Glasker, Max Tooley, Logan Pili and Siale Esera. Can Chaz remain healthy? When healthy he seems to have a nose for the ball. Having both Tooley and Bywater back should be a huge boost. This position though, could use possibly a bit more quality depth.

Who's in the Secondary. This year Assistant Coach Jernaro Gilford will be over the cornerbacks while Jay Hill will work with the safeties. Notable names of the safeties include Micah Harper, Malik Moore and Raider Damuni. Cornerback's incude Jakob Robinson, Eddie Heckard, George Udo, Mory Mamba and Macus McKenzie. Having Heckerd aboard should be real boost in terms of experience and familiarity with the defensive scheme. How fast can Raider get away from the old mission legs will be a great question. The secondary should be in great shape despite losing two starters in Gabe Jeudy Lally and D'Angelo Mandell. Maybe the question might be how fast can the defense adjust to Jay Hill's defensive scheme.

Not always Special Teams. Gone is Jake 'the make" Oldroyd who seemed to struggle down the stretch (9 of 14). BYU was 10 for 15 in FGs and 49-51 on PATs. The bright spot on the special teams was clearly Ryan Rekhow. He averaged 46.2 per pun (10th nationally, net punting) with a high 71 yard punt. Ryan clearly was an asset often helping to flip the field. Hobbs Nyborg certainly wasn't flashy but definitely incredibly consistent (22.8 avg kick return). At what point do the cougs find an answer in the kicking game? BYU picked up Will Ferrin from Boise State hoping to stabilize their kicking. Justen Smith seems to struggle since he kicks a low ball. Would like to see what Cash Peterman is capable of. There is certainly a possibility the cougs grab a kicker from the transfer portal as well. Time will tell what the answer is.

By the end of spring ball hopefully the cougs will have answers to many of these questions. The staff hopes to implement the new defensive scheme (although maybe very basic at this point), figure out decently what the two deep will look like, can we find a suitable kicker, get the newcomers familiar with the playbook, etc. Although, there still may be changes/additions ahead at the end of spring. Each day puts us towards the end goal in mind putting the best product on the field to compete from day one in the Big 12.

Alignment and Realignment

Last July, weeks after USC and UCLA shocked the nation with their Big Ten announcement, Pac 12 commissioner George Kliavkoff stated boldly "No Pac12 school is going to the Big 12". Eight months later, may give a much clearer indication of the outcome and fallout.

Kliavkoff is facing immense pressure to produce a new media rights deal to its members by the end of the month. However, things are certainly not looking bright to assemble such an acceptable deal. Sources aware of the ongoing media discussions have said the Big 12 conference have been in recent contact with the Four Corners (Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah). If this truly is the case, it surely would be an indication that either the potential deal numbers may be rather underwhelming or that there is likely no deal outcome. Yet, the remaining P12 schools continue to state they will remain steadfast standing together. Big 12 commissioner's goal is well know to be in 4 time zones. Several P12 voices have given their displeasure how long the negotiations have already taken. 

There are rumors of the P12 attempting to add more members likely poaching teams from the MWC. Two of which are known as potential expansion candidates in San Diego State and SMU. Could Colorado State be a possible addition? It does have a new football stadium and is known to be a research university. However, the P12 already owns the Denver television market with Colorado. Thus, that makes no sense. How about Boise State or Fresno State? They are probably much better fits in the Big 12. Have heard as well of a possible alliance with the ACC. Yet, we've already seen how alliances go in the NCAA. 

Even though publicly the school say that they will stand in unison, at the end of the day we know that this about money and each will look out for themselves. What are their benefits? What are the advantages of sticking around? Or do they seek acceptance into another conference (Big 12). Keep in mind, the votes of the presidents and chancellors are the ones who will truly count. With the current outlook, even if a deal was secured it likely wouldn't be able to match what could be given if school A, B, or C were to bail to the Big 12 which is the end goal for Yormark (4 time zones, we are open for business) which my guess we shall see at least two split off to accept an invite elsewhere (likely Arizona and Arizona State), possible more. That likely would mean the end of the P12 "conference of champions" as we know it.