[MacKidsAlumn]

AJ Dybantsa and Cooper Flagg are the only two NCAA basketball players I’ve seen with an NIL valuation exceeding $2 million. I might be mistaken, I’m trying to understand NIL, as it seems to be one of the key metrics for any college program. I also saw that Cameron Boozer, the son of Carlos Boozer, signed a $1.5 million NIL deal, and he is considered a top-5 recruit. Long story short, you can make a significant impact in recruiting with $6 million in NIL deals if you manage to avoid overpaying.

[MacKidsAlumn]

If you have a losing or mediocre season, is a mass exodus a bad thing? Some of the guys have been way overhyped, while others have not been properly used by coaches. Either way, is it bad if they move on?

[MacKidsAlumn]

You need a good quality local high school football in your backyard to be a sleeping giant. The State of Utah outpunches its weight. Utah produces as many D1 players as Arizona, with half the population. Even with the transfer portal, you need local kids to provide depth, development, and continuity.

Looking at the Big 12. Cincinnati jumps out with access to Ohio recruiting and Kentucky recruiting on the other side of the river. Houston and UCF have access to amazing recruiting grounds, even if they are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th options for local recruits.

For me, Houston is the place that jumps out. Big city, amazing local recruits, Louisiana recruits just down the road. Lots of money and sponsors in Houston.

[MacKidsAlumn]

I had no idea Gary Crowton’s boy walked into the team as a QB.

[MacKidsAlumn]

If this were 2015, I would agree with your analysis. But in 2023, we have the transfer portal, and successful programs use it to restock lost talent. You mentioned losing TEs and Rising (QB). Our starting QB for next year might be at another program getting playing time this year. If the Utes are good this year, like we have been the last two years, they will have the chance to attract some good transfer players looking to level up and compete for a championship. The transfer portal has changed how rosters are built and how you forecast champion contenders.

[MacKidsAlumn]

I just wish the U could get its branding game together.  Athletics seems to have adopted the interlocking U, campus uses the block U, the health system uses a version of the block U, and drum and feather is still out there in some of the athletics gear.  Pick a logo, stick with it and move on. 

[MacKidsAlumn]

The thing that has been so fun to watch with Utah football has been the development of players from one year to the next. Watching teams build into contenders over the course of several years made me a year-round fan. That has been missing from the basketball program for the last 15 years.  It felt like anytime a player improved, they hit the transfer portal, and there was never team continuity.

Craig kept most of last years team together, and you can see the improvement in individuals and in the team.  This is how you get real fan interest and passion.  I’ve already caught a few games and probably will be a season ticket holder next year. 

PS: If you like basketball the WBB team is so much fun to watch, with ball movement, shooting, an amazing inside game.  Give them a chance if you haven’t this year.     

[MacKidsAlumn]

@TheMiamiUte the states of Arizona and Colorado have a larger population than Utah, but they don’t have more high school recruits than the state of Utah. Typically, Utah has more D1 recruits than both Arizona and Colorado. There are some years that’s not the case but on average Utah High school produces more D1 players.

The Big 12 is a middle-class conference. No one really has the resources to really pull ahead and leave everyone in the dust. The conference is made of teams who have at different points put together good and even great years but there is no traditional power in the conference.

[MacKidsAlumn]

The defense is trending downward. They gave up 500 + yards to UCLA. 450+ against Florida and OSU. They are trending towards giving up 600 yards today.

[MacKidsAlumn]

We are not seeing a step backwards. We are seeing a completely impotent defense. No pass rush, no discipline on the d line. This is a waste of a excellent offense.

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