Is BYU the new Kentucky?

[Jim Vanderhoof]

For years I have heard about BYUs high academic standards and cultural ( honor code) superiority. Athletes must qualify academically and want the unique BYU experience. They won’t bow down to NIL money and refuse to pay coaches and staff members.

Now they are paying their coaches and signed a one and done player for 2 million ( nil + buyout). Russian and most likely has never heard of LDS religion before. Going after several one and done non LDS athletes.

Don’t get me wrong I would love for our basketball team to get these players but why the complete reversal? Isn’t it a bit hypocritical to chastise Utah and other schools for buying players? At least they can get a Diet Coke or Mountain Dew buzz with the soda pop restrictions dropped. Is cold coffee legal?

[AlohaUte]

It’s because of the new coach and their commitment to him. Also, most is probably driven by Ryan Smith.

I also suspect that the AD and leadership realize that BYU has a higher likelihood of success with basketball than football, so why not invest in it.

Good for them.

[AZUTE]

BYU and Kevin Young are the flavor of the month right now but it won’t last. Ryan Smith is paying double what the blue bloods schools are offering these kids and I guess if he’s willing to over pay well that on him but if Young isn’t successful day 1 how long will the money continue to roll in?

Don’t let the Academic requirements fool you many a byu football player has gotten in to that school with less than stellar grades.

The bigger issue could be the honor code but these one and dones will only be in school for 6 months anyway. Kids still want to have fun in college.

If Young is successful at byu I truly believe Smith promotes him to Jazz HC and Burgess takes over in Provo.

[D T]

zoob football players routinely get accepted at the same NCAA minimum that every other university uses.

It’s completely fabricated to say they’re treated like normal students as far as acceptance goes.

[Anfernee]

And where has all that got them? Currently 7th in the Big12 basketball pecking order. I just looked at the early top 25. And ASU currently has the #3 recruiting class. When your football team should be sponsored by Waste Management, this is what you do. Especially in the off-season. Talk with the keyboard. 🥱

[AlohaUte]

I don’t know why we have to minimize others aims so much. They had a great season last season and now have to rebuild after losing their coach. The point isn’t that they’ll be great now, it’s that they are changing their paradigm in an effort to become a basketball power. Maybe it will work, maybe it won’t. The certainly they have more of a chance in basketball than football, especially considering Mormons play a lot of basketball.

[UteBacker]

Man, church ball. I’m 6’4 so my church buddies always recruited me to play on their ward teams. That was some rough ball, especially when the dude guarding me would be hacking me but his dad, who was the ref, refused to make a call.

This whole “pay for play” is the new reality. It works awesome when you have an Uncle Phil to write checks, and honestly, good on those schools/teams/fans as they’re just doing what the rest of wish we could do. However, this is just one more step towards a mass exodus of interest out of college football and into the NFL. I mean, if we’re going to watch professional athletes, we may as well watch the best ones.

If I ever win the lottery (it’ll be hard because I don’t play it), I’m SO going to be Utah’s Uncle Phil. I will, however, require the renaming of RES to my name. So there will be some sacrifice on your guys’ part.

[PlainsUte]

I’m good with UteBacker Arena!!

[Jim Vanderhoof]

The one and done fits the non LDS players well. As someone pointed out they only have to be there 6-9 months then leave. I could even live the honor code for 6 months. Well maybe not.

A little advice:
Stay away from cougar tails (just ask Davies) and don’t get a roommate in case you don’t shave for a week or smuggle a cup of coffee in the morning. Most of all make sure you tell them how much you like them and what a unique wonderful place the “Y” is.

[PlainsUte]

…or a girlfriend!! If she gets pregnant the one-and-done will likely be out of there before it becomes known or public.

[Dallas]

Byu is leveling up. We shouldn’t begrudge them for it.

[PAC12Teams]

So you are saying they will be gone before the levi’s are washed…

[UtesRule]

You meant to say is the TDS the next THEM.

We do not use that word as Utah fans.

And no, they will NEVER be the new THEM.

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