Beach there is no argument that independence hurt BYU. If BYU goes 5-7 again last year do they get Lyons and some of their other top high school recruits? Sitake was a lame duck coach until Hill showed up then suddenly he is great. Recruiting before Hill and after Hill? Recruiting with more $$$ and a relaxed HC?
The biggest factors to ByU rise was Hill and $$$. Utah put all their eggs in the Rising basket and it didn’t work out simple. Does BYU beat Utah the last two times with Rising. Does our recruiting go up if we win the Big12 last year with Rising? Lots of hypotheticals that can change the direction of a program.
Getting in the Big 12 was a huge boost for BYU fans and the excitement has brought in lots of $$$. Utah joining the Big 12 was not a move that brought excitement and $$$. Vanderbilt is on equal ground with Alabama conference and $$ distribution. Name brand and NIL money is not equal.
As Whitt has stated many times the deepest pockets will have the best chance to win. How many non LDS kids show up at BYU to play basketball and football if not for $$$. Pre NIl vs current NIL? Equal playing field means coaching, NIL money, fan base excitement, facilities and obviously conference affiliation. Without KY and $$$ BYU basketball would he equal to Utah BB. Getting Jensen and more $$$ will level the playing field in BB.
