A couple thoughts on TDS basketball

[Holladay Ute]

1) They act like they own the rivalry in basketball. In the last ten games, Utah is 5-5 against the TDS! I’m surprised that nobody has written about this in the local media.
2) They rubbed their first-round NBA draft picks in our faces heading into this year. How’s that working out for them? I don’t think anybody can dispute that the draft stock for these two players (Demin and Catchings) has fallen, not risen, w/ a year under Kevin Young’s “development”. Utah should use this as recruiting ammo (alongside the fact that Alex Jensen helped develop a future Hall of Famer in Rudy Gobert).

[ProudUte]

BYU’s basketball team has played great the last month. No one can deny that. However, they may be the highest-paid team in college basketball.

As far as basketball history goes:

Utah has been to four Final 4s – BYU has been to zero.
Utah has one national championship – BYU has zero.
As bad as Utah has been in basketball the last 15 years, Utah has three current NBA players – BYU has zero.
BYU has only once made it to the Elite-8, and that was 44 years ago.
Utah has two players picked number one in the NBA draft and a bunch of others in the top ten. BYU has zero top picks and maybe 3 top ten picks. (I remember two.)
Utah has a winning record in the NCAA tourney – BYU has a losing record. However, BYU does hold one important record. BYU has the highest number of NCAA invites without making it to the Final-4.

I cannot argue that BYU’s basketball program is in a much better place than ours. But, overall, we have a much richer basketball history. I hope Alex Jensen can get us back to those days.

[TomahawkCruise]

Don’t forget Utah is 3rd in NCAA tournament appearances in the western US, behind only UCLA and Arizona. Nationally, we rank 20th.

[alexsmith]

Utah currently has 4 in the NBA if you want to count Carlson’s two-way contract.

[AZUTE]

I’ve been going back and forth on X with some byu fans over your second point.

The Kevin Young “NBA development” myth is real. Egor has been a nonfactor this year and is sliding down draft boards. Catching doesn’t even play and by some accounts will transfer at the end of the season after falling completely out of any mock draft.

Keba is the same player at byu he was at Utah. Some dunks some rebounds and a couple blocks a game.

Saunders has saved his ass this year.

This is nothing more than the “flavor of the month” effect.

Flat Brim, and Ainge have pumped a lot of energy into that program and that is what people see. They all want instant gratification.

This is why the Alex Jensen Press conference has to be a home run. Go to bring that same kind of energy

[Kellso]

Going back and forth with byu fans is like bleeding to death from a paper cut.

[BD]

Agreed. I am backing away from it more and more. I’ve blocked tons of BYU fans on the X platform. Just tired of them.

[utefansince79]

Glad we earned the win in January that is looking to be the most impressive (including Kansas) this season and that we had the home game first in the series. We likely don’t win that one if was played in Provo and not sure we could have beaten them in Salt Lake last week. Have to credit Cougars for playing their best ball of the year right now. They possibly face Houston tomorrow (currently up 9 on a resurgent Colorado team early in the second half).

Not a BYU fan at all, but have to respect and admire how they are playing right now. And I won’t even begin to compare crowds (in particular the student sections) of the 2 schools right now.

But more interested in Utah getting back to being competitive than I am that other school.

Waiting to see what Alex can deliver.

[Charlie]

Agree and disagree. The win against the Y is our biggest. They are playing well right now. However, I have always insisted the Y draws fewer sports fans, football and basketball, than Utah to their home games. I have attended dozens of both football and basketball Utah games in Provo. There are many souls at each game but few that understand the rules or are sports fans. Mostly fans of winning, some knitting or tending kids, many asking what just happened and, most have never seen a game that did not include the Y.

Utah basketball is a sleeping giant. An average conference coach has almost always finish higher in the conference race. Break the string of subpar coaches and just like that we will be back. Jensen can do that…

[Utah#1]

The bigger they are the harder they fall. Not wishing it on them, but the massive BYU pride, arrogance and ego is out of control and they bring upon themselves. They act entitled because of backing from their so-called billionaire donor or donors. Like I said, pride cometh before the fall

[Holladay Ute]

I’m definitely wishing it on them. With all that arrogance, how can you not hope they lose every game?

[TomahawkCruise]

I’m definitely envious of their recent success. They have won some big time games and it must be fun to be a fan of a good team like that.

But I’d still rather be a Utah fan at this point because we are still solid in football and it feels like basketball could be making a big comeback.

Good for BYU and their fans. They’re finally tasting success in both marquee sports after roughly 15 years in total irrelevance and being marooned in G5 territory. I’m confident Utah will come up in hoops, perhaps as soon as next season.

I’ve said it before here and I’ll say it again. I still don’t want Utah paying blue chip one and done players $5-10 million a pop, because the only logic that follows is throwing away good money after bad. Utah (nor BYU) need those top 10-type five star players to be relevant and competitive. And throwing that kind of money away is only asking for problems. Maybe that’s a sensible plan for teams like Duke and UNC and Kansas – but it’s not for teams like BYU, Utah, and most other teams on our level.

[AlohaUte]

Well, I hate to say it, but BYU legitimately has a chance to win it all this season. On the last 1.5 Mos they’ve been a top 10, maybe even a top 5 team. I don’t think they will win, but they are one of the few that can.

As much as I hate it. Considering the state of Utah basketball, I’m not going to complain about BYU.

[AZUTE]

BYU will lose to Houston tomorrow and will be lucky to make the sweet 16.

Uber athlete teams like Houston run them out of the gym.

[AlohaUte]

I think they’ll lose to Houston too. But I wouldn’t be shocked by a Final Four run. My prediction is that they make it to the Sweet 16 and lose there.

[UteFan Vineyard]

If TDS continues to hit 50% of their 3-pointers, with how many they shoot, they will be a tough out.

They’ve also been good at pulling out the really close games, much to my chagrin.

[Holladay Ute]

Teams that rely heavily on the 3 + don’t play consistent defense = the most likely upsets in March Madness. I’ve watched many of their teams rely on this formula only to make an early exit in March. Hopefully, this year is no different.

[Holladay Ute]

Teams that rely heavily on the 3 + don’t play consistent defense = the most likely upsets in March Madness. I’ve watched many of their teams rely on this formula only to make an early exit in March. Hopefully, this year is no different.

[Roy Rangum]

Lest we become too much like the team down south, I think we should pump the brakes on criticizing BYU basketball.

They are objectively in a much better place than Utah basketball is right now, and arguably also have a brighter future too. Money trumps almost everything in the current college landscape, and right now their B-Ball team has far more financial support than Utah. (Which has bought them Kevin Young who I expect to be a very good coach, has landed them the top recruit next year, and I’m sure will continue to bring in more players in the future.)

While I am very hopeful that Alex Jensen will return the Utes to greatness, for him to make Utah better than BYU will require him to do more with less (which I think is possible, but is far from guaranteed).

[Holladay Ute]

I don’t think I really criticized them as much as I just stated a couple of facts to remind everyone about: 1) They are 5-5 against Utah in the last ten games. 2) Draft stock for Demin and Catchings has fallen, not risen, since they landed in Provo.

I agree w/ you on everything else you said.

[Holladay Ute]

I don’t think I really criticized them as much as I just stated a couple of facts to remind everyone about: 1) They are 5-5 against Utah in the last ten games. 2) Draft stock for Demin and Catchings has fallen, not risen, since they landed in Provo.

I agree w/ you on everything else you said.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

Amazing how 1 good year in football and basketball and suddenly they’re a national power. They have plenty to be excited about but the arrogance is out of control.

[byufan]

A few thoughts:
– BYU fans were as surprised about the football team as everyone else was. We were bad our first in the Big 12. We expected more of the same. So I don’t think you’re seeing arrogance there as much as elated shock.
– On basketball – We expected to be good, BUT even the most hardened Ute has to admit that hammering Kansas, winning @Arizona, @Iowa State and then beating them again in the tourney wasn’t on the radar. I expect Houston to win today by 8-12.
– Overall I do think BYU fans are pleased/surprised that Utah isn’t farther ahead after 12 years in a P5 when BYU was languishing in the wilderness. It’s nice to be on equal footing again.
– NIL – I get the annoyance with BYU over the NIL stuff. BUT…keep in mind when every UTah player got a truck a few years ago there was a lot of gloating about how far BYU was behind from the Utah fans in my life. Now that it’s flipped…I’m sure the BYU fans in your lives are equally annoying.

[Yergensen]

IMO

BYU MBB is legit. You have/will have talent that you never had before and coaching appears to be as good as you’ve ever had. You’re on a heater right now, will be a tough out for any team.

BYU FB was an anomaly in 2024. Here you are less talented than most if not all B12 teams you face, but well coached defensively, opportunistic and enjoyed a bit of luck in 2024. You are a Jay Hill promotion away from trouble.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

Arrogance is different depending on which side of the fence you’re on. How many years have we heard BYu fans complain about Ute fans being arrogant. I guess when you’ve been over shadowed by your rival for the past 20 years it’s understandable.

This is the first year since the Lavell era that BYU has been on the national radar in both FB and BB. BYU fans should be excited. The two programs will push each other to get better. Do we fire Smith if BYU wasn’t improving their program?

Unfortunately the rivalry brings out the worst in all of us. BYU fans think we’re better than you.Utah fans think they’re not. Depends on what side of bubble or fence your on.

[OmahaOmaha]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Houston wins the whole thing. I see a Duke/Houston final. My money is on Houston and its suffocating defense.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

Theres a lot of good teams this year. Cooper Flaggs ankle could be a game changer for Duke. The tournament this year will be amazing. I’m all in on the USU Aggies. They don’t have the talent to go far but fun to root for. Hope they can get a win.

[utefansince79]

Aggies keep on losing coaches and keep on getting into the Dance. Had a much needed late win on UNLV’s home floor last night which should firmly keep them off of the bubble and I very much expect to see them in the tourney.

Would like to see Utah Valley finally make it in.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

USU star player was once a Ute (Martinez). He would have been a big help for the Utes this year. The Aggies have a great tradition and fan base. If you ever get the chance go to a USU home game. It’s a great atmosphere. The students really support the team.

[Holladay Ute]

On your second point, I’ll definitely tip my cap. It’s been a very impressive season for sure and they deserve the praise they’re getting right now, particularly for what they’ve done in the last month. Although, I do think the B12 is weaker this year (relative to what it has been in the past and relative to, say, the SEC this year). I mean, a mediocre Utah team beat Kansas. And beat you guys once. We’ve watched Arizona for 10-15 years. They are also not as good as usual this year.

On your third point, I’m not sure what you mean. If you are referring to the Utah basketball program, I understand. If you are referring to the football program, you’re crazy (and validating what we’re saying about the arrogance).

[AZUTE]

Ball didn’t go in the hoop tonight.

Down 20 at half.

[Holladay Ute]

I rest my case. How is Demin still considered even a first round pick? He is terrible! 6 points on 2-9 shooting w/ 4 assists and 5 turnovers. When it’s crunch time and the pressure is on, they play Hall (Mark Pope’s guy) over Demin! Kevin Young has not helped to develop Demin. Against good opponents, Demin has looked like a deer in headlights all year!

Another thing on Kevin Young. My sample size of listening to his postgame comments is small, but from what I have seen he is a classic Cougar. The other team never beats them. They either beat themselves or the refs beat them. “Tonight, I felt like we got a lot of shots in the first half that we normally get, that were good looks, that didn’t go down. I don’t want to discredit Houston. They’re an amazing team, and I’ve learned a lot from playing against them.” No. Stop. You got your butt kicked all game from the opening tip. Just admit it and move on.

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