A long season is over, thoughts for next year...

[Goatnapper'96]

I wonder if Carlon Brown will be back.

Regardless the Utes will win 20 and at least 10 in conference. Book it.

I think Utah will improve. Other than Watkins I have no clue who will start where. I do think that Henderson is best suited coming off the bench. So I would recommend Hines, Brown, G-Luva, Watkins and Foster. Bring Henderson, Washburn, Tavita and somebody else who can score off the bench. I have no clue on win predictions but I think it will be less than BYU's.

[cougjunkie]

Tavita needs to make 1000 shots a day in the off season, starting today. If he does that and can even shoot 40% from the floor and 33% from three. (as opposed to 29% and 18% this year) Utah has 3-5 more wins next year.

[smokymountainrain]

Tavita needs to make 1000 shots a day in the off season, starting today. If he does that and can even shoot 40% from the floor and 33% from three. (as opposed to 29% and 18% this year) Utah has 3-5 more wins next year.

29%?! If you're shooting 29% FGs, I'd say you're playing in the wrong division of college basketball. That's well below with the Murdock-line right there.

[cougjunkie]

29%?! If you're shooting 29% FGs, I'd say you're playing in the wrong division of college basketball. That's well below with the Murdock-line right there.

It got to the point where I was shocked when he actually drew iron on a shot. I bet 30% of his shot attempts were airballs.

[creekster]

Katy told me Hines will. I'm going with that.

before you rely on that, remember that Katy Lied. I could see it in her eyes.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I'm not optimistic for next season, but hope that Boylen can prove that he belongs at Utah. I don't want to be looking for a new coach, but if we are looking for a new coach please swallow your pride Dr. Hill and hire Tommy Connor.

[Flattop]

Foster needs to go on the Jordan Wynn diet, hit the weight room and work on his offensive game.

If Boylen hires a new assistant, I hope he's a good shooting coach, because I think the Utes reallly need one.

[DrumNFeather]

I'm not optimistic for next season, but hope that Boylen can prove that he belongs at Utah. I don't want to be looking for a new coach, but if we are looking for a new coach please swallow your pride Dr. Hill and hire Tommy Connor.

I've mentioned this before, but if they fire Boylen after next year, the only guys that might be interested are guys that are local. Right now, a job description that doesn't allow you to even see your recruits in the program for two or three years probably won't be appealing to very many people.

Hill's short list might read: Tommy Connor, Randy Rahe, Kerry Rupp.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I've mentioned this before, but if they fire Boylen after next year, the only guys that might be interested are guys that are local. Right now, a job description that doesn't allow you to even see your recruits in the program for two or three years probably won't be appealing to very many people.

Hill's short list might read: Tommy Connor, Randy Rahe, Kerry Rupp.

I am fine with that short list. 2 of the 3 guys have connections to Majerus and that is something that this program needs right now.

[DrumNFeather]

I am fine with that short list. 2 of the 3 guys have connections to Majerus and that is something that this program needs right now.

I bet that unless next year is real bad and I mean sub 10 wins bad, Boylen is here for 2 more seasons.

[Goatnapper'96]

I've mentioned this before, but if they fire Boylen after next year, the only guys that might be interested are guys that are local. Right now, a job description that doesn't allow you to even see your recruits in the program for two or three years probably won't be appealing to very many people.

Hill's short list might read: Tommy Connor, Randy Rahe, Kerry Rupp.

I don't think Rupp would be a bad choice. Hasn't he done pretty well at LaTech? He isn't a big name but I think his experience since he left Utah has exposed him to some different styles and what it takes to be successful at the D1 level. It would also improve Utah's local situation. If Boylen doesn't make it at Utah, I think it important for Utah to have a Kerry Rupp, Juddie, Connor or someone with definite ties to the local scene in order to help Utah build up some local capital.

One of the real problems facing Utah in the MWC is that it is a pretty good hoops conference. UNLV, BYU and UNM are all pretty good right now and SDSU is staying solid. There is no one program as good as Utah was in the 90's, but I think any of the top 3 are on their way to being better than any other program during that time span. Certainly Utah has proven that it can be better than any of these 3, but the fact is that they are all pretty strong right now and busting in is going to be difficult.

[Goatnapper'96]

I bet that unless next year is real bad and I mean sub 10 wins bad, Boylen is here for 2 more seasons.

I agree. It would take a meltdown where it is beyond questioning obvious that Boylen is not going to be a viable long term option to justify sending Boylen packing and all the uncertainity and setbacks that follow losing a HC. If there is any glimmer of hope that JimmyB is your man, he will get another year after next year.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I bet that unless next year is real bad and I mean sub 10 wins bad, Boylen is here for 2 more seasons.

I really hope that is not the case. By next year he has had 4 full season to correct the problems at Utah, that is more than enough time in college hoops. One impact recruit can quickly turn things around and it is his job to get that type of impact recruit. If he cannot get 20+ wins, an NCAA tournament bid, and a top 3 finish in the conference next year it will be obvious that he isn't equipped to handle the job at Utah.

[Katy Lied]

I've mentioned this before, but if they fire Boylen after next year, the only guys that might be interested are guys that are local. Right now, a job description that doesn't allow you to even see your recruits in the program for two or three years probably won't be appealing to very many people.

Hill's short list might read: Tommy Connor, Randy Rahe, Kerry Rupp.

Hey! Last time I suggested Kerry Rupp, I got spanked by the guys here. What's with all the luv for D&F?

[SeattleUte]

I am fine with that short list. 2 of the 3 guys have connections to Majerus and that is something that this program needs right now.

The argument for Tommy Connor is that it takes a special coach to win at Utah, and he appears potentially qualified in that respect. To win at Utah you have to have an eye for the Drew Hansens that no one outside the state and even BYU is much interested in but in whom you recognize real, genuine potential. You have to be able to wow the moms of LDS athletes. You have to be able to tolerate the mission strangeness and roll with it. You have to figure out a way to not lose any quality local players north of Alpine to BYU or any out of state programs. You have to have a system that focuses on the strengths of athletes Utah has historically recruited and deemphasizes their glaring weaknesses. Once you have mastered all of the foregoing, you can build a great program at Utah if you can in addition attract some major out of state talent every once in a while. But that is the gravy.

My concern about Boylen is not x's and o's, ability to motivate, or the gravy. My concern is whether he's the right man for this peculiar job in which LDS culture can be such an anvil tied around your ankle as you're trying to win the race, but you have somehow to figure out a way to turn that anvil into an advantage, how to make it work for you. Utah has been fortunate to have had some great coaches in basketball and football who have figured that out. Most good coaches are not cut out for it, however. That's one reason New Mexico beats us out for a guy like Alford.