1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:01,199 Speaker 1: Welcome Mack. 2 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:04,040 Speaker 2: This so marches right around the corner and the Cougars 3 00:00:04,080 --> 00:00:05,400 are in the middle of it. 4 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:08,919 Speaker 3: It's time to talk some college basketball on Cougar Sports 5 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:16,320 with Ben Crittic. We welcome back to Goodports TWEO three 6 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:18,440 nine ninety eight point three ESPN the band. I've been 7 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:22,280 little broadcasting from our Vanderwealth Studios Vanterwealth dot Com. Get 8 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:24,359 on that free Q and A no obligation to invest 9 00:00:24,679 --> 00:00:26,760 Q and A with our tax more wealth advisors, our 10 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:29,640 certified financial planners. Nobody does it better than Banterwealth Banterwealth 11 00:00:29,679 --> 00:00:32,240 dot Com and they want to ag and support you 12 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:35,079 in that quest for financial stability and sustainability. It's gonna 13 00:00:35,439 --> 00:00:38,920 uh gonna get into a college basketball segment, uh and 14 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:42,399 you're gonna love it. We're gonna welcome to Cougar Sports Insider, 15 00:00:42,439 --> 00:00:45,880 College Basketball Insider, b YU Basketball Insider to discuss what's 16 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:49,679 going on in provo capital p ro O lowercase vo. 17 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:52,840 It's gonna be brought to you by Central Garage Door. 18 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:55,200 If you are in need of a new garage store 19 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:58,560 or just maintenance on your garage door, call Kelly over 20 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:01,240 at Central Garage Door. 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Let's get out to the hotline. 30 00:01:28,879 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 4: Welcome in. 31 00:01:29,519 --> 00:01:34,239 Speaker 3: Mark Durant, the best color commentator, the best Twitter x 32 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:36,719 follow on social media. 33 00:01:36,879 --> 00:01:38,040 Speaker 4: How the heck are you? Mark? 34 00:01:39,519 --> 00:01:39,959 Speaker 2: Wow? 35 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:41,879 Speaker 1: Thank you, Ben. I'm doing great. 36 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,359 Speaker 2: I may or may not have just played nine holes 37 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:49,439 of golf in this beautiful, crazy weather, So I'm a 38 00:01:49,519 --> 00:01:52,280 happy man. I don't know what I've ever played golf 39 00:01:52,319 --> 00:01:54,239 this late in the winter in my life. 40 00:01:54,519 --> 00:01:57,519 Speaker 4: It is pretty crazy. What's happening in Utah right now? 41 00:01:58,040 --> 00:01:58,599 With the weather. 42 00:01:59,159 --> 00:02:03,359 Speaker 3: Typically we're we're in the thick of the snow right 43 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:06,400 making snow angels, and it's it's freezing cold. 44 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:08,319 Speaker 4: What's happening in the Utah? You've been here for a 45 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:08,800 long time? 46 00:02:10,879 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 2: Well, listen I know we need moisture and snow and 47 00:02:14,879 --> 00:02:17,560 all that, but uh, if we're not going to have it, 48 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,879 I'm gonna enjoy it. And if Salt Lake becomes the 49 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:25,120 new Saint George, then that's probably okay with me because 50 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:27,879 I want to move to Saint George. Anyway, I will 51 00:02:27,879 --> 00:02:28,599 save me moving. 52 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 4: Oh man, where'd you go? 53 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:32,039 Speaker 1: By the way? 54 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:36,639 Speaker 2: Uh, I went out to Glenmore. We love it out 55 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:38,719 at Glenmore. Darcy Olsen is the. 56 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 1: Pro out there. It's a great place. 57 00:02:40,759 --> 00:02:43,520 Speaker 2: They got a great youth program. As you know, my 58 00:02:43,599 --> 00:02:47,120 daughter plays. So my daughter whoopded me today. But I'm 59 00:02:47,159 --> 00:02:47,960 getting used to that. 60 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:49,319 Speaker 4: Hey it's okay. 61 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 3: Hey, that means you've you've trained her, well, you've mentored her. 62 00:02:52,759 --> 00:02:55,199 Speaker 4: Well, that's what you want. That's what every mom and 63 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:56,960 dad want. They want their kids to be better than 64 00:02:57,000 --> 00:02:57,599 they are. Right. 65 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:01,919 Speaker 2: Yeah, the best I ever did. Ben, you're a young father, 66 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:06,800 so listen carefully. I am is have your kids play golf. 67 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:10,680 I tried to get my boys to play basketball, but 68 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,479 I finally learned and my last one, I said, We're 69 00:03:14,479 --> 00:03:17,000 doing golf because I'm gonna have fun. If I'm gonna 70 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,879 watch you, I'm gonna at least have fun myself, and 71 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:22,879 it's been the greatest thing. We get to spend so 72 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:26,919 much time together and she's excellent and it's just fun. Man? 73 00:03:27,479 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 3: Is that like, just because you have to sit next 74 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:31,919 to each other for I mean typically anywhere from two 75 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:34,919 to four sometimes five hours, you actually get to talk 76 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:35,560 to your kids. 77 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:37,199 Speaker 4: They're not trying to avoid you, right. 78 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 2: Exactly what other dad of a seventeen year old daughter 79 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:46,199 gets to spend five hours without any distractions, you know, 80 00:03:46,319 --> 00:03:46,919 with your child? 81 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:48,039 Speaker 1: It's beautiful. 82 00:03:48,039 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 4: Actually the worst she likes me. 83 00:03:50,439 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: She still likes me. Ben, I don't know about your kids. 84 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:54,479 If your kids like you, if they don't like it, it 85 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:58,240 might be bad. But my daughter likes me, so No. 86 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 3: Probably the worst decision I ever made. And it was 87 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:04,400 hard because it was it was before COVID, right, and 88 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:08,520 like I had purchased an Alpine country club membership in 89 00:04:08,639 --> 00:04:12,240 two thousand and ten, you know it was it was 90 00:04:12,639 --> 00:04:15,000 it was dirt cheap at the time, right, And I 91 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,000 can't remember what the dudes were monthly, et cetera. But 92 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:21,480 I had that thing till like twenty and eighteen. But 93 00:04:21,639 --> 00:04:24,040 at that time I was getting free golf. 94 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:25,560 Speaker 4: I remember I used to do the show. 95 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:29,399 Speaker 3: At Thanksgiving point, I did advertising for Fox Hollow. 96 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:30,720 Speaker 4: I mean I was everywhere, you know. 97 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:32,439 Speaker 3: I was like, well, you know, do I really need 98 00:04:32,439 --> 00:04:33,959 this Alpine country Club membership? 99 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 4: You know what I mean? 100 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:39,879 Speaker 3: And I sold it, kicking myself, stupid decision. The spirit 101 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,279 was not with me, It was not guiding me at 102 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:42,759 that time. 103 00:04:43,879 --> 00:04:46,279 Speaker 2: Yeah, they for a while, that long time ago, they 104 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:49,600 were giving those away. Man, and now now there's a 105 00:04:49,879 --> 00:04:52,040 it's a hot commodity, very. 106 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,720 Speaker 3: Very hot commodity. I'm kicking myself, unfortunately. But we all 107 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:58,720 make good decisions. We all make bad decisions. K Y 108 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:02,480 made some good des this offseason, not only retaining talent, 109 00:05:02,519 --> 00:05:05,439 but acquired talent. How special has it been for you 110 00:05:05,519 --> 00:05:08,879 to watch arguably the most talented team in BAU basketball 111 00:05:08,959 --> 00:05:10,560 history ball out at the Marriott Center. 112 00:05:12,399 --> 00:05:14,600 Speaker 2: Well, first of all, you mentioned k Why. I love 113 00:05:14,639 --> 00:05:17,839 that guy. I mean, he is He's been so great 114 00:05:17,879 --> 00:05:20,839 to work with. He's super kind to me and Greg, 115 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:24,360 and he's just a super down to earth guy. Love 116 00:05:24,439 --> 00:05:29,639 talking to him. I think he's actually a brilliant basketball mind. 117 00:05:29,639 --> 00:05:33,079 As I've watched him and the adjustments and things that 118 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:35,879 he makes and his game plans, and I just I 119 00:05:35,959 --> 00:05:38,920 just think, how lucky are we to have him? So 120 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:41,199 it's I think it starts with him, and then because 121 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:44,560 of who he is and his connections and his ability 122 00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:47,839 to communicate with kids, he's able to bring in you know, 123 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:52,519 great great young men and super talented basketball players. And 124 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:55,199 it used to be where, you know, b why you 125 00:05:55,199 --> 00:05:57,879 wouldn't even get a sniff from some of these this 126 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,879 level of recruit and now it seems like they're in 127 00:06:00,959 --> 00:06:04,480 on almost all the best recruits and legitimately have a chance. 128 00:06:04,519 --> 00:06:07,040 And so that that goes to a lot of people, 129 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:10,800 k Y and the school and the resources and the 130 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:14,680 boosters and all that to to make BYU an attractive 131 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:16,319 spot for some of the best players. 132 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:17,959 Speaker 1: And the fact that we've got aj. 133 00:06:18,879 --> 00:06:22,040 Speaker 2: Is unheard of obviously. And then even Rob Wright, you know, 134 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:24,360 coming from Baylor to BYU. I mean, who would have 135 00:06:24,399 --> 00:06:27,920 ever seen that happening? And he he is one of 136 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:31,920 my favorites man. He is so good, so consistent, so tough, 137 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:36,040 and of course Richie, who's just the unicorn nowadays with 138 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:38,800 his loyalty to the university and all the things he 139 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:41,079 does and how hard he plays. I mean that Utah game, Ben, 140 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:45,360 I've never seen a bigger heart on display. He will, 141 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:47,120 he willed the team to victory. He kind of put 142 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:49,360 the team on his back and got those big rebounds 143 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:52,120 and made big shots, and so yeah, I mean it's 144 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,040 it's I've been doing a long time, you know, Jim 145 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:58,079 or years were fine. Every year's fine. But the level 146 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:01,680 of play and how the team plays is about as 147 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:04,160 ton of time as I've had in those thirty years. 148 00:07:04,959 --> 00:07:06,519 Speaker 4: You mentioned Richie the Todd King. 149 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,519 Speaker 3: I was having a discussion with Jay Drew earlier in 150 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:12,160 the show and we're like, how pivotal was that retention? 151 00:07:12,759 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 4: You know what I mean? Like, what if he would 152 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:16,079 have ended up at at Kentucky. 153 00:07:16,439 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 3: Maybe that Kentucky team goes to an Elite eight last 154 00:07:18,639 --> 00:07:20,120 year and they get through the Sweet sixteen. 155 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:21,439 Speaker 4: If Richie's on. 156 00:07:21,399 --> 00:07:23,439 Speaker 3: That squad this year, they're probably doing a whole lot 157 00:07:23,439 --> 00:07:26,399 better because they have a glue guy, a leader, a 158 00:07:26,439 --> 00:07:31,000 guy that sets the tone, that creates continuity and executes 159 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:35,639 and gets everyone bought in to what Mark Pope is building. 160 00:07:35,959 --> 00:07:39,240 Speaker 4: The fact that b Yu was able to retain Richie. 161 00:07:40,879 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 3: Is probably not heralded enough as one of the greatest 162 00:07:44,839 --> 00:07:52,759 recruiting efforts that this staff has been able to execute. 163 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:51,519 Speaker 1: That really really is. 164 00:07:51,639 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 2: And you know, I can't speak to specifics, but I 165 00:07:55,439 --> 00:07:59,680 want people to understand that Richie left a lot on 166 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:02,399 the tape to stay at b YU as good as 167 00:08:02,439 --> 00:08:07,480 by us resources are. Uh, he stayed because he wanted 168 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:12,600 to and he loves the university and so yeah, as 169 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:14,600 a fan, I'm grateful to him for that. But I 170 00:08:14,639 --> 00:08:19,639 think the obviously AJ is is even a I think 171 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:23,199 a seasoned professional level player right now, and he could 172 00:08:23,199 --> 00:08:25,319 play in the NBA and be an All Star right now. 173 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:29,040 But so he's he gets a lot of attention rightly, 174 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:33,440 so top draft pick guy. But the best thing I 175 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:37,639 think that ever happened to AJ is Richie to have 176 00:08:37,879 --> 00:08:40,840 that kind of leadership and maturity and how to play 177 00:08:40,879 --> 00:08:43,159 the game and to learn from Richie and to take 178 00:08:43,879 --> 00:08:49,159 a lot of the pressure off of AJ to have 179 00:08:49,279 --> 00:08:52,120 to do it all himself. You know, obviously there's other guys. 180 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:56,360 Rob's great, but I mean, you know, when you have 181 00:08:56,519 --> 00:09:00,120 three really good players, you know, it's just not all 182 00:09:00,159 --> 00:09:01,919 about you, It's not all on your shoulders, so you 183 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:04,960 can kind of, uh you know, do your thing and 184 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:08,799 have some pressure taken off of you, both off just 185 00:09:08,879 --> 00:09:12,480 the mental pressure that AJ must go through, but just 186 00:09:13,159 --> 00:09:17,120 the pressure to play and deliver at all times. And AJ, 187 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:20,440 like the other night against TCU, he kind of took 188 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:23,639 over that game. But for the most part, you know, 189 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:27,679 he can kind of do his thing. And because Richie 190 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:32,720 particularly is a leader of that team. And when you 191 00:09:32,759 --> 00:09:36,360 know Ben, like like when you were a senior at BYU, 192 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,639 I mean you, nobody played harder than you, Nobody practiced 193 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:42,440 harder than you. And when you've got a guy that's 194 00:09:42,879 --> 00:09:47,799 that good and sets that tone, like you have no excuses. 195 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:50,360 If Richie's playing this hard, I need to play that 196 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:52,919 this hard. If he's doing getting rebound, I need to 197 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:55,879 do this. And so when you have a guy like 198 00:09:55,919 --> 00:09:58,679 that and that senior leadership who's you know, all American 199 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:02,120 caliber player and he doing all the little things that 200 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:04,679 make people great, then you learn from that and you 201 00:10:04,759 --> 00:10:06,879 have no excuses. And I think it's gonna be the 202 00:10:06,919 --> 00:10:09,200 best thing that ever happened to AJ was to have 203 00:10:09,279 --> 00:10:10,440 Richie on this team. 204 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 3: No excuses, played like a champion. It was a great victory, 205 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:17,440 a gritty one, an ugly one, a beautifully ugly one. 206 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:20,159 But when does the win is win over TCU, what 207 00:10:20,159 --> 00:10:24,200 were your takeaways from that matchup late last night. That's 208 00:10:24,279 --> 00:10:26,679 the That's one of the latest games you've probably had 209 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:27,480 to call recently. 210 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:33,200 Speaker 2: I guess there's reasons for it. If I'm the horn Frogs, 211 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:35,080 I'm pretty upset that I had to do that because 212 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:38,159 it was even later for them their bodyclock. But I mean, 213 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,559 I just don't get it. I mean, maybe West Coast, 214 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:43,039 but even West Coast it's eight o'clock Star. I'm like, 215 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:46,120 what is the point of that. It seems silly, but 216 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:47,960 I you know, I get there's TV and all that 217 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:51,759 kind of stuff. But anyway, it was late, but it's nice, 218 00:10:51,799 --> 00:10:53,919 you know. I just had a nice meal before and 219 00:10:54,639 --> 00:10:56,480 got all that out of the way before the game, 220 00:10:56,559 --> 00:10:59,399 so it didn't bother me too much. But yeah, the game, 221 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:01,559 you know, Ben, I'm I been kind of waiting for 222 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:05,480 that game because everybody, every team has a game where 223 00:11:05,519 --> 00:11:07,919 it's just not their night. It's you know, you come 224 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:12,600 off of a pretty intense rivalry game. It's certainly right 225 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:14,879 for a letdown, a trap game, whatever you want to 226 00:11:14,919 --> 00:11:19,039 call it. And I just felt like, eventually these guys 227 00:11:19,039 --> 00:11:21,840 are gonna have an off night and they're gonna lose one, 228 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:24,000 and it's just gonna be one of those things, and 229 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:28,200 I was almost resigned myself to that. The great thing 230 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:31,679 about last night was they had that game. They had 231 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:34,759 their worst shooting night both from three and from two 232 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:38,679 of the year, and yet they won. So you can 233 00:11:38,759 --> 00:11:42,600 have your your bad game, the off game that inevitably 234 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:45,600 you're going to have, and still win. That's pretty good 235 00:11:45,639 --> 00:11:48,879 and it shows you how good they are. And AJ 236 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:53,039 was under the weather, looked as bad as I've seen 237 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:55,320 him play in the first half, but man, he found 238 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:58,720 something in about eight to ten minutes of that second 239 00:11:58,799 --> 00:12:02,240 half where he was great, and he The thing I'm 240 00:12:02,279 --> 00:12:06,480 impressed about AJ is whether it's Yukon or Clemson or 241 00:12:06,519 --> 00:12:09,320 whenever Byu needs him to be great, he has been 242 00:12:09,399 --> 00:12:15,039 great and he've found something deep inside and he was 243 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:17,240 kind of his game where he will BYU the victory 244 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:20,840 there to get them back in the lead. And so yeah, 245 00:12:20,879 --> 00:12:23,840 I mean it was it was not a good game. 246 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:27,240 It was their letdown game, and yet somehow they managed 247 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:29,759 to win it, and so that's pretty cool. I mean, 248 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:33,320 you usually don't escape those kind of games with a win, 249 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:37,679 and so hopefully you learn some lessons, but you still 250 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:39,559 have a w in the in the win column, and 251 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:42,559 so that's that's good for this team. I expect them 252 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:46,200 to play much better, even though they're going into a tough, 253 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:48,960 tough place this weekend against Texas Tech and Lewock. But 254 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,919 I think they'll actually play a lot better and we'll 255 00:12:51,919 --> 00:12:53,000 have a chance in that game. 256 00:12:54,639 --> 00:12:59,240 Speaker 3: Mark, we've discussed this Big three. Some people call it 257 00:12:59,279 --> 00:13:03,399 the brig Three, the First Presidency. I mean, there's a 258 00:13:03,399 --> 00:13:07,480 ton of different nicknames for this crew. But you know, 259 00:13:07,519 --> 00:13:08,840 you have to wonder, is this the Is this the 260 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:11,519 best trio in Bou basketball history? Is this better than 261 00:13:11,639 --> 00:13:14,759 the Danny Ainge, you know eighty one team, the Great 262 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:17,919 Kite friend Roberts, I know, I know, I know your 263 00:13:17,960 --> 00:13:20,080 your brother pretty good. You know, they they had some 264 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:24,600 good sad Mike, We've had. I think the mckelly Wesley 265 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:27,440 crew was good. The Hafa Travis Hanson crew was pretty good. 266 00:13:27,759 --> 00:13:30,360 Is this the best trio in Bou basketball history? 267 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:34,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, if you if you drill down on it, there's 268 00:13:34,919 --> 00:13:38,360 actually been some really good Yeah, really good players, Like 269 00:13:38,399 --> 00:13:39,879 you mentioned a lot of them. 270 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 1: But I think, as far as you know, recency bias 271 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:46,519 is a thing. 272 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:50,440 Speaker 2: But you know, I just I can't imagine three better 273 00:13:50,879 --> 00:13:53,600 players for b y U at the same time. I mean, 274 00:13:54,919 --> 00:13:57,440 aj is going to be possibly a number one pick, 275 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:03,600 and so we've never had that. And Rob Wright, Holy cow, 276 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:07,000 I mean that guy is so good and he's such 277 00:14:07,039 --> 00:14:10,639 as he's a guy that's so consistent too, and he's 278 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:13,840 steady and make when byus struggling, he's the guy that 279 00:14:13,919 --> 00:14:18,759 makes a shot and just lightning quick. Impossible to stop 280 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:22,639 him on the dribble penetration. And then we've talked about Ritchie. 281 00:14:23,039 --> 00:14:28,399 I mean, you've got three NBA guys, probably two of 282 00:14:28,399 --> 00:14:32,080 the guys first round NBA guys. One guy is maybe 283 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:36,559 a first pick, first round guy. So as far as talent, 284 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:39,600 pure talent, I think it's the best three. I mean, 285 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:43,480 they had a chance last night to have the third 286 00:14:43,519 --> 00:14:46,720 consecutive game where they had three guys over twenty points. 287 00:14:46,759 --> 00:14:49,240 Now they fell short of that, but that was like 288 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:52,600 would be the first time in thirty or forty years 289 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:57,200 in the entire NCAA that any three players have got 290 00:14:57,679 --> 00:15:01,960 twenty a piece for three consecutive games close to doing that, 291 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:05,279 which says a lot of itself. And the great thing 292 00:15:05,279 --> 00:15:08,759 about it is, you know they're they're all you know, 293 00:15:08,799 --> 00:15:11,519 they're all right around the same scoring, you know, right 294 00:15:11,559 --> 00:15:14,120 around twenty points a game. They all shoot a right 295 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:17,080 around the same number of field goals, they shoot similar percentages. 296 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:23,440 It's amazing kind of the the balance that they've achieved, 297 00:15:23,559 --> 00:15:26,879 because sometimes when you have three excellent players like that, 298 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:30,200 it's hard to get that chemistry and balance and guys 299 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:32,679 are thinking, I got to get mine, and you know, 300 00:15:32,759 --> 00:15:37,759 but it's just organically, they've found a beautiful balance where 301 00:15:37,799 --> 00:15:41,240 they're all contributing, all shooting about the same amount, all 302 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:44,519 getting about the same amount of points, and it's just 303 00:15:44,799 --> 00:15:49,120 it's really cool to see how those three have become 304 00:15:49,559 --> 00:15:53,759 like a single super super player in one in one 305 00:15:54,279 --> 00:15:58,519 guy and anyway, it's it's fun. I mean, I'm waxing 306 00:15:58,559 --> 00:16:02,200 trying to wax poetic about it failing, but they're as 307 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:05,080 good as I've ever seen, and I've seen, you know, 308 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,600 back to the Danny h days. And that's no slide 309 00:16:07,679 --> 00:16:11,279 on anybody. I mean, the fact they're just that good, 310 00:16:11,519 --> 00:16:15,519 and the fact that Dyus in this possession excuse me, 311 00:16:15,559 --> 00:16:19,480 positioned in the big twelve, in the top ten team 312 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,879 and have those kind of caliber guys, it's like, what 313 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:26,360 universe are we living in? And whatever it is, I'm 314 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:27,240 glad I'm living in it. 315 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:28,759 Speaker 4: Mark. 316 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:32,639 Speaker 3: We were discussing earlier today who we need to step 317 00:16:32,759 --> 00:16:34,960 up on the bench or from the bench. We have 318 00:16:35,559 --> 00:16:37,360 one of the best starting fives, if not the best 319 00:16:37,399 --> 00:16:39,840 starting five in college basketball, you can make that argument, 320 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:43,559 but we need bench players, We need more depth, We need. 321 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 4: Some consistency there. 322 00:16:46,039 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 3: Who's the guy that you're looking forward to in the 323 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:52,440 next six weeks to maybe step up and take that 324 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:55,440 baton or multiple guys to take that baton. 325 00:16:55,480 --> 00:16:57,080 Speaker 4: Who's most likely to do it. 326 00:16:58,759 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, one of the things i'mcerned about, and it was 327 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:05,680 evident last night. As good as the Big three is 328 00:17:06,079 --> 00:17:12,640 and Kiba is tremendous, it's. 329 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:14,200 Speaker 1: You know, you get a. 330 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:16,839 Speaker 2: Guy in foul trouble or aj was wasn't feeling well, 331 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:18,599 it doesn't take. 332 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:21,279 Speaker 1: A lot to really hurt you. 333 00:17:21,680 --> 00:17:25,920 Speaker 2: And so they're walking a fine line, playing so few 334 00:17:26,039 --> 00:17:30,079 guys and relying so much on the Big three. So 335 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:31,960 you just kind of hope and pray nobody gets hurt, 336 00:17:32,039 --> 00:17:33,839 or you stay out of foul trouble, or or you're 337 00:17:33,839 --> 00:17:38,519 going to have some problems. But in answer your question, 338 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:42,079 I think they need to go all in on Hilo. 339 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:45,799 I think he's a good player. He makes big plays, 340 00:17:45,839 --> 00:17:48,279 He plays without fear. He made a big three, had 341 00:17:48,279 --> 00:17:52,599 a huge block last night. He brings size, he stretches 342 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:56,680 the floor. I think you're all in on him, and 343 00:17:57,839 --> 00:17:58,920 I think it really hurt. 344 00:17:58,839 --> 00:18:02,079 Speaker 1: BYU that Abdu Ahmed did not play. 345 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:06,160 Speaker 2: I hope he can be healthy because I think when 346 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:10,279 CABA's out of the game, BYU is a much different team. 347 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:14,440 But with Beido he comes in and they're not that different. 348 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:18,000 He's He's just a big human and a great shot blocker. 349 00:18:18,079 --> 00:18:20,599 I'm so pleased with him. So I'm all in on 350 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:27,359 Beido and Mahi Loo and uh, you know, other than that, 351 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:30,160 you're gonna have to kind of hope, and you know, 352 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:33,720 hopefully Tyler Moruss makes a player too, or orkost It 353 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:37,960 or or or whoever. But you know, I think seven, 354 00:18:38,039 --> 00:18:39,720 if you have seven guys that you can count on, 355 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:42,200 I think what he does, then they should be all right. 356 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:44,400 But you know, it's it's a little makes you a 357 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,880 little bit nervous when anybody you know twists an ankle 358 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:50,160 or is not feeling well or gets in foul trouble, 359 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:53,319 because it can really turn on you quickly if if 360 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:55,400 you don't have those guys ready to go. 361 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:58,079 Speaker 3: I always feel like when we're about to make a run, 362 00:18:58,559 --> 00:19:01,200 like we get it, we get in or something like 363 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:04,720 something crazy happens, you know, Like I hate to be 364 00:19:04,839 --> 00:19:06,960 that guy. I'm knocking on wood right now, all the 365 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:11,039 wood here in my that's in my surrounding area. But 366 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:13,759 it's like, man, I just hope we can stay healthy, 367 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:18,039 you know, stay healthy and strong, nourish and strengthened and 368 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:20,680 built for a run in the NCAA tournament. 369 00:19:22,319 --> 00:19:24,480 Speaker 2: Well, one of the things you worry about is because 370 00:19:24,519 --> 00:19:27,599 you're not as deep. You know, you're playing those the 371 00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:29,680 Big Tree a lot of minutes, I mean in thirty 372 00:19:29,759 --> 00:19:34,640 thirty five more, and so you worry about getting worn 373 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:37,119 down a little bit. And just in that TCU game, 374 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:40,680 you know, Aj was on the floor for a long 375 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:43,640 time and I was worried that he was injured. And 376 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:46,240 Rob Wright was knocked and he was limping for a while. 377 00:19:46,359 --> 00:19:48,640 I ate and Richie in the post game had a 378 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:50,880 big ice bag on his caffe and he was in 379 00:19:51,079 --> 00:19:55,559 kind of twisted his ankle late. And so yeah, you 380 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:57,440 find all the wood you can and knock on it 381 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:02,559 because this team is a potential title contender. 382 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:04,720 Speaker 1: Uh A Final. 383 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:11,119 Speaker 2: Four National championship contender with everybody ready to play and healthy. 384 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:15,079 But if anything goes wrong then it might spoil the 385 00:20:15,519 --> 00:20:18,240 apple cart and turn the apple cart upside down because 386 00:20:19,039 --> 00:20:21,680 there's just not a lot of room for error. Uh, 387 00:20:21,960 --> 00:20:25,000 there is. They're they're awesome. They could win it all. 388 00:20:25,079 --> 00:20:30,440 I totally believe that, but it's if one little thing happens, 389 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:32,400 it could change that equation overnight. 390 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:35,359 Speaker 1: So you just hope it doesn't and knock on the 391 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:37,119 wood and uh and O. 392 00:20:37,279 --> 00:20:40,400 Speaker 2: B YU fans have had some rough uh rough what 393 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:44,079 ifs in their in their fandom history, but hopefully this 394 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:45,079 year won't be one of them. 395 00:20:46,039 --> 00:20:50,519 Speaker 3: Mark Durant Ladies and Gentlemen, partner at Dorsey and Whitney LLPH. 396 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:54,799 His specialty is obviously on the radio waves as the 397 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:58,759 color commentates alongside Great Rebel on the b YU Sports 398 00:20:58,799 --> 00:21:02,799 Network talking Who's but he's also pretty good at real 399 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:06,519 estate law, So shout out to Dorsey and Whitney LLP. 400 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:09,599 If you need any real estate lawyering, then you got 401 00:21:09,599 --> 00:21:11,799 to hit up my guy, Mark Durant. Mark, we always 402 00:21:11,839 --> 00:21:15,079 appreciate our time together, appreciate you hopping on to give 403 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:19,279 us nuggets and truth and knowledge and all manner of 404 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:20,880 Bau Basketball commentary. 405 00:21:22,079 --> 00:21:23,640 Speaker 2: Well, you know I love you and I'm happy to 406 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:26,279 come on anytime, and I'm excited about this weekend at 407 00:21:26,279 --> 00:21:26,920 Texas Tech. 408 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 1: And give give Ron a big kiss for me, will you. 409 00:21:30,799 --> 00:21:32,759 Speaker 3: I shall give him a big hug, big kiss, big 410 00:21:32,799 --> 00:21:35,720 smooch for you, Mark Durant, Ladies and Genteral, thanks so much, brother. 411 00:21:36,759 --> 00:21:37,920 Speaker 1: All right, thanks Ben Tuck. 412 00:21:38,519 --> 00:21:39,880 Speaker 4: All right, guys, that's our show. 413 00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:42,920 Speaker 3: We're sticking to a download the podcast iTunes, Spreaker, Google 414 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:45,279 Play Music, iHeartRadio, Spotify. 415 00:21:44,799 --> 00:21:46,119 Speaker 4: Give us a rat and give us a review. We 416 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:47,079 appreciate it when you do. 417 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:49,920 Speaker 3: Make sure you give our sponsors an opportunity to earn 418 00:21:49,960 --> 00:21:52,519 your business. Like our good friends at Central Garage Door 419 00:21:52,599 --> 00:21:56,319 Central Garage Utah dot com. Kelly, we'll give you VIP 420 00:21:56,440 --> 00:21:58,519 products of the IP service vppy discus. You need a 421 00:21:58,559 --> 00:22:01,160 new garage door or you need get your current corrodgintor 422 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:03,640 fixed up. Eight on one two eight two thirty six 423 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:06,079 sixty seven. That's eight to one two eight two thirty 424 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:09,359 six sixty seven. Let them know Ben Crinel and ESPN 425 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:13,160 Senscha for VP products, VP service, VP discounts. But please 426 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:14,920 support all of our other sponsors. Guys, we can't do 427 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:17,680 our show without our sponsors. So get them, give them 428 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:19,680 an opportunity to earn your business. And always ask for 429 00:22:19,720 --> 00:22:22,759 that that discount. You know, I'm always trying to create 430 00:22:22,839 --> 00:22:26,000 value for our listeners and so ask for that VP 431 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:29,319 product VP servis VP discount all day, every day. Shout 432 00:22:29,319 --> 00:22:34,000 out to our good friend Mark Durant, Garrett and Preston Handy, 433 00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:38,720 Jay Drew, Brian Keel, Brandon Day, Richie Saunders, Kevin Young. 434 00:22:39,599 --> 00:22:42,799 We had a fantastic show. Shout out to Brett Hammer, 435 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:47,240 Vic Kram, Ronald the Three Man Weaver star studed cast, 436 00:22:47,279 --> 00:22:49,200 no if, sands or butts about it, and. 437 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:52,559 Speaker 4: We'll be back Manyana, celebrating all. 438 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:55,119 Speaker 3: The news and notes, all of the minutia, all of 439 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:58,000 the getting into all the Knox and Crannies here in 440 00:22:58,119 --> 00:22:59,839 Cougar Country, from all of us here at ESPN the 441 00:23:00,039 --> 00:23:01,480 and we wish you a very very good night, have 442 00:23:01,519 --> 00:23:01,920 a safe night. 443 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:02,480 Speaker 4: You've been listening