[Rick]

I used to be a very loyal listener to ESPN 700 and 1280. Both have gone downhill IMO. I just stopped listening to all of it and I have been much happier. I have also stopped obsessing over recruits, NIL, and the portal. When I did, it put it all in perspective for me and it has made me become less obsessed with all things Utah, Big 12, etc. It is much less stressful believe me.

[Rick]

What about Eric Bieniemy?

[Rick]

It was nice to see us play a team that was clearly worse than us for a change! Wahlin played like he did back in high school. A very nice game for him on both ends! Good to see. Will someone please explain Erickson to me? I bet there are at least 20-25 Utah high school players right now that are better than him. I don’t get it.

[Rick]

When I watch them it is like watching a high level AAU super league team vs. a Junior Jazz team. The basketball skill is not there. The basketball IQ is not these. The athleticism is not there. You cannot play great defense lacking these things against opponents that all have them. Our first three opponents all have them. We got killed three times! We may have a shot against OSU, UCF, BYU, K-State, Colorado and ASU but that is probably about it and when I say have a shot, I mean not lose by 30+.

[Rick]

That was the point I was trying to make a few days ago. Someone on here said that basketball sucked because we are totally focused on football which is somehow our ticket to the Big 10. Well, our football team has gone 12-13 over the past two seasons so even they are failing. So Harlan is failing across the board in almost all men’s sports besides skiing. I do feel that basketball is also a coaching issue which is grossly apparent when you actually watch our team over the past 3 years. It is just getting exposed more in the Big 12 because the teams are so much better than the Pac 12. When I watched last night’s game I was shocked at the difference in quality of players on each team. It was staggering. So, I would say Harlan first, Smith next or fire them both and get the 2 for 1 discount!

[Rick]

Meh. Dude couldn’t see a hole if it was ten feet wide. Best of luck to him down there.

[Rick]

This entire thread screams out that we need a new AD. It sounds like our AD cannot chew gum and walk at the same time if all he can do is pour resources into the football program that has gone 12-13 over the past two years. Dr. Hill had football, basketball, gymnastics, women’s b-ball, women’s volleyball, skiing, and even in a few years baseball all clicking at high levels. If it is due to NIL or transfer portal, well then we have an AD that is not capable of managing that very well. If the last two year’s focus of getting us into the Big 10 is truly what he has been up to, he has failed miserably.

My issue with Smith is that he is a proven bad recruiter, his teams play very timid on defense and are not very good on the boards, they are horrible free throw shooters, and their player rotations don’t make a lot of sense. Smith was not a good hire. Also, anyone who thinks Larry’s last team here at Utah would not just absolutely throttle the current Utes team, doesn’t know the sport of basketball very well.

[Rick]

I am pretty sure he will end up at USC. They just lost Bear Alexander to Oregon and have a huge hole to fill and a lot more cash than we have. My question is what is Tanuvasa going to do at another school where they need to compensate him for the use of his name, image, or likeness? What is he going to be doing to earn the money? NIL has quickly just become pay to play. College football is a professional farm team. The NFL is the majors, P4 is triple A, P5 is double A, etc. They are not paying these kids based on the use of their name, image and likeness for things like marketing campaigns, endorsements, etc. I bet Tanuvasa will do absolutely NOTHING besides play football to “earn” his money. That goes well beyond the intent of the judges ruling and it needs to be reigned in now before it becomes established precedence.

[Rick]

Majerus also had 2-3 NBA caliber players besides Van Horne who he could rely on. Smith doesn’t that the luxury. Also, using Majerus and Smith in the same post seems almost sacrilegious and wrong!

[Rick]

So Harlan is a boss with no power and you think that is a good thing? Or that he has zero responsibility?

[Author]

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