WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.520 I think out what is shaping up to be a 2 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:07.040 potentially very exciting college basketball game coming up with the 3 00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:10.000 Huntsman Center tomorrow night here in Salt Lake City, University 4 00:00:10.039 --> 00:00:13.800 of Utah taking on BYU. It is the Holy War 5 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:17.120 on the hard word. Utah is actually a slight favorite 6 00:00:17.239 --> 00:00:18.960 at home. Our next guest will be on the call 7 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:22.960 alongside the voice himself, Bill Riley. Great to have Sean 8 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:25.160 Mooney back on the show. Sean, Happy Friday, Man, how. 9 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:28.920 We doing, oh Man space, segus, I am so excited 10 00:00:28.960 --> 00:00:33.320 you no, really good brother, So Friday afternoon. Who knows 11 00:00:33.479 --> 00:00:36.280 that we would have thought it would be this important 12 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:39.960 for both teams two and three coming in an actually 13 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:42.159 conference game, Spence, how good is that? 14 00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:42.719 Yeah? 15 00:00:42.759 --> 00:00:45.439 For the first time since twenty twelve the conference tilt 16 00:00:45.520 --> 00:00:48.000 and you know, to your point, and I've been talking 17 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:50.159 about this Sean on the show, I think I'll just 18 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:52.119 speak for myself. Prior to the start of the season, 19 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:56.039 you know, Utah basketball schedule comes out and based off 20 00:00:56.079 --> 00:00:59.399 of Kevin Young's talent on paper with a top ten 21 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:02.719 pick and Jegor Demon and potentially a first round pick 22 00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:04.640 and the cannon Catchings kid, and then a bunch of 23 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:07.799 skilled players that have played for BYU for a while. 24 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:10.359 Kevin's a new coach, but I think it's fair to stay. 25 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:12.920 On paper, this felt like a mismatch to start the season, 26 00:01:12.959 --> 00:01:15.280 and we're sitting here the night before and it's essentially 27 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:15.959 a toss up. 28 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:16.359 What does that? 29 00:01:17.079 --> 00:01:19.439 What does that say about what Craig has been able 30 00:01:19.480 --> 00:01:20.879 to do to get this thing. 31 00:01:20.719 --> 00:01:21.920 On the right path for now? 32 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:25.159 And is that an indictment of BYU's inability to figure 33 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:25.840 it out so far? 34 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:30.319 Man? Yeah, I'm with you. On paper, you're looking at 35 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:32.719 that team and whenever you talk about a kid that's 36 00:01:32.760 --> 00:01:36.120 going to be an NBA prospect, right, that's just a 37 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:39.400 different level athlete, and they've arguably got two of them. 38 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:42.239 And I agree with you on paper, they look really good. 39 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:43.920 At the beginning of the year, I would have said 40 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:48.200 the same thing to your point. With what Craig is doing, 41 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:51.480 I think that I always stay, was a really big 42 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:54.959 game for our team in terms of their ability to 43 00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:59.200 recognize that they can play physically at a high level. 44 00:01:59.239 --> 00:02:01.319 Even though we got beat by thirty one, I've been 45 00:02:01.319 --> 00:02:05.519 telling people dispense, we were pretty good, man. We learned 46 00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:08.199 something about ourselves in terms of the physicality of the 47 00:02:08.199 --> 00:02:11.439 Big twelve, and our first three game spans were tough. Man. 48 00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:14.120 Those are great teams that we played. And then you 49 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:16.280 get a couple of wins and all of a sudden 50 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:19.080 things change a little bit. And we're also playing a 51 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:23.319 little longer. If you'll notice Jake Waalen and Keana dz 52 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:26.759 both six ' nine. Craig's done a good job, man. 53 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:30.400 We're adjusting well to what teams are doing defensively. And 54 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:32.479 I mean, you know, Kevin Young, this is his first 55 00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:35.560 year as a head coach. I know he's a great coach. 56 00:02:35.639 --> 00:02:38.319 I know they've got a lot of talent. But it's hard. 57 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:40.319 It's even I think he would be the first to 58 00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:41.759 tell you it's hard to be a head coach. 59 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:45.879 So what from your vantage point have you seen over 60 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:48.280 the past couple of games that have led to results 61 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:51.240 and wins that you believe is, you know, just some 62 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:53.919 things that Craig has been able to find. Whether it's rotations, 63 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:56.080 whether it's schematics. They're playing a little quicker. I mean, 64 00:02:56.080 --> 00:02:58.199 they're so big and physical, but the pace has been 65 00:02:58.199 --> 00:02:58.919 a little bit better. 66 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:00.879 Sharing the back basketball really well. 67 00:03:00.919 --> 00:03:02.800 They're the best team in the conference when it comes 68 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:05.400 to assists to turn over and they're really moving it 69 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:07.639 and they just look a lot better. Is this something 70 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:12.240 you're willing to say, is getting close to a trend 71 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:14.639 that Craig has figured out some lineup changes or some 72 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:17.120 schematic approaches over the past couple of game, Sean, what 73 00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:17.520 do you think? 74 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:20.639 Yeah, there are a couple of things. So it's interesting 75 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:23.639 because at the beginning of the year, Spence, I think 76 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:26.400 he let him just go. They kind of ran more 77 00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:28.879 of emotion and what that means is they going to 78 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:32.599 make their decisions based on what the other team was doing. 79 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:35.639 And then there where it felt like you had to 80 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:38.719 kind of scheme things a little more. If anything, I 81 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:42.199 think what we're handling better is the pressure. So in 82 00:03:42.240 --> 00:03:45.680 this league, people love to double on ball screens and 83 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:48.879 they love to double the post. TCU just kept doing it, Spence. 84 00:03:48.919 --> 00:03:50.439 I don't know why they didn't go out of it. 85 00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:53.639 They'll even double the posts off the blot. But we're 86 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:56.240 adjusting well that Typically when you get a double in 87 00:03:56.319 --> 00:03:59.120 this league, it's not the first past, but it's the 88 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:02.800 pass after the first pass that creates a mismatch or 89 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:05.000 an advantage. And I think Utah has done a really 90 00:04:05.080 --> 00:04:08.520 good job. Both of our bigs. I would say lost 91 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:11.599 and is one of the best passers. Big passers are 92 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:14.080 doing a good job. Ad is doing a good job, 93 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:16.720 as is doing a good job. Jake waile Leen has 94 00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:20.000 really been a big insert in the lineup. Not only 95 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:22.959 can he defend, but he's long and he's just kind 96 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:24.879 of a jack of all trades. So I want to 97 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:27.240 say initially that is schematics, but I would say that 98 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:30.360 we're kind of finding our niche in terms of how 99 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:32.959 to play offense against these defenses we're seeing. 100 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:38.360 Do you anticipate rotationally the starting five will remain the 101 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:40.399 same and the guys that are getting because he's kind 102 00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:42.600 of trimmed the rotation a bit at least over the 103 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:45.199 past couple of games, starting five and you know, three 104 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:47.879 off the bench. Pat Riley always used to say during 105 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:50.399 practices he would run he said, I want my eights. 106 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:52.360 This is prior to the playoffs with the Knicks of 107 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:52.800 the nineties. 108 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:53.519 Who are my eight? 109 00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:54.079 Right? 110 00:04:54.120 --> 00:04:55.560 And so I'm not saying that it's going to be 111 00:04:55.600 --> 00:04:58.560 eight all year, but it appears that he has tightened 112 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:01.199 his rotation. Gosh, Sean, do you think that's going to 113 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:03.879 be the deal? At least for the intro moving forward. 114 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:07.040 Yeah, I know, Spence, I do think that probably is 115 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:09.720 the deal. And but what I think people have to 116 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:12.160 recognize and you'll understand this because this is what you 117 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:15.839 do for a living. It's a long season. There are 118 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:18.720 twenty games, and I can tell you just being on 119 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:22.519 the radio side, it's a pretty good flog man. I mean, 120 00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:26.040 you know, you are every week on the road. Right now, 121 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:28.560 we've been home on the road, and so it really 122 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:31.480 helps to have ten or eleven. You'll see a lot 123 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:33.800 of teams that have it. But I do think you 124 00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:35.720 have to tighten it up. And this in the last 125 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:39.720 game in TCU, Spence, we are starting five. Didn't come 126 00:05:39.720 --> 00:05:43.199 out to that first media timeouts. That's unusual, that hasn't 127 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:45.800 been happening. And so I do think that that helps 128 00:05:45.800 --> 00:05:48.560 the kids in terms of their flow. And I do 129 00:05:48.600 --> 00:05:51.839 think you'll see moving forward this same starting lineup that 130 00:05:51.839 --> 00:05:55.000 we've had, and they're big, they're long, and that's going 131 00:05:55.079 --> 00:05:57.920 to help us. BYU is also big and long. You've 132 00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:01.319 got to Mike Sharp Johnson and a Jaeger Demon playing 133 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:04.000 against each other. Two to six foot nine guards. 134 00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:06.319 Yeah, yeah, a lot of length with both those two 135 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:07.639 and I do want to get to demon in a 136 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:09.240 minute and BYU in a minute, but I want to 137 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:11.519 lean into the youths for a couple of more moments 138 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:12.639 here and love it. 139 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:13.360 You know, I Drew. 140 00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:17.079 I'm not a comparison guy because I think it puts 141 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:20.040 unrealistic expectations in the minds of fans. But I was 142 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:22.399 trying to I was trying to kind of figure out 143 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:26.759 exactly who Gabe Mattson is in the realm of how 144 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:29.279 Craig wants to use him. And I'm not saying that 145 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:31.680 he's Reggie Miller. Okay, shot, I'm not saying that he's 146 00:06:31.680 --> 00:06:34.399 Reggie Miller. But yeah, I can remember those old you know, 147 00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:38.959 Nick heat battles where Reggie would run for miles and 148 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:41.279 miles and miles then you run into a pick. It's 149 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:44.480 either said by Dale Davis, Antonio Davis or Rick Smith's 150 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:47.600 and you know, like and Reggie's wide opening space. And 151 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:49.519 the thing is, it wasn't just that he could kill 152 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:51.399 you with his shot. It was the gravity effect that 153 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:52.000 opened up. 154 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:52.279 You know. 155 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:54.839 It was Byron Scott for a minute, you know, like 156 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:57.120 he had these teammates and could knock down open shots. 157 00:06:57.439 --> 00:06:59.839 And so I think one of the keys for Utah 158 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:02.279 all year long, quite frankly, not just tomorrow, is to 159 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:04.639 get Gabe in space, but not just to shoot it 160 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:07.839 so that gravity effect opens it up for other players 161 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:09.519 and then it's on. Then you get then it's make 162 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:11.720 or miss Sean, then it's maker miss right. 163 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:12.839 But how have you. 164 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:16.560 Seen Utah utilize Gabe And what do you think he 165 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:18.800 can do with this matchup tomorrow night. 166 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:22.040 Well, here's the thing. We know. Burgess is on the 167 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:27.480 other sideline, okay, and Chris Burgess is a very very 168 00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:31.279 good coach, and Burgess knows what we're doing, probably better 169 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:34.560 than anyone. But I do think that there are some 170 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:37.360 things that we can specifically do, for example, and we 171 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:39.480 saw it in the TCU game. I agree with you 172 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:42.279 Gabe is he's so important to the team in so 173 00:07:42.399 --> 00:07:45.040 many ways. He ends up with sixteen against TCU and 174 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:47.959 he has a horrible shooting night for him. He can't 175 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:50.160 make it to save his life, but he hits those 176 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:51.680 free throws at the end of the game. But he 177 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:55.639 does create a problem wherever he goes, and you're gonna 178 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:57.920 be no help, no cover on him. And it's an 179 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:01.560 in state game where it's even a little higher intensity. 180 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:03.480 Like what no help, no cover means is they're not 181 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:06.079 going to leave him to help off. They won't help 182 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:09.079 off him, they won't cover down. Gabe can be a 183 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:11.920 decoy in essence when he's out there on the floor. 184 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:15.319 And listen, I'm telling you, I think Gay Madison is 185 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:17.920 going to have a big game tomorrow. I just feel it. 186 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:21.600 Spence, Now let's define that though. 187 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:24.959 It is because because you know that that Kevin is 188 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:27.600 gonna sick like Richie Saunders on him, and you know 189 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:30.519 to use the old Gene Hackman line, tell me what 190 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:34.159 flavored gum is chewing after the game, like BYU is 191 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:37.480 going to do everything they can to eliminate his airspace 192 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:39.679 and make him a willing passer as opposed to an 193 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:41.799 open shooter, because if Gabe gets open, a knocks down 194 00:08:41.799 --> 00:08:44.519 shots and it changes everything. So what does a big 195 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:47.120 game look like? You're talking just knocking down shots or 196 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:48.279 just an overall approach. 197 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:52.480 Yeah, no, overall approach for sure. So what everyone is 198 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:55.919 doing with Gabe did not do this as well? He 199 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:58.720 got some wide upen shots against TC was a surprise. 200 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:00.840 But they're gonna make Gabe put it on the floor 201 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:03.360 and then what they're doing with Gabe teams they're doing 202 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:06.519 is his dribble, and they're sitting they kind of know 203 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:09.639 his tendencies, and so what Gabe needs to do is 204 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:12.320 have very good division when he puts it on the rack. 205 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:15.559 And honestly, sometimes Gabe just needs to go finish at 206 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:18.320 the rim because he's looking to pass it, which is great. 207 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:21.679 He's very estublished. But no, I think I think, knowing 208 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:23.519 Gabe a little bit that I know him. I think 209 00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:26.360 this is a game where Gabe impacts not only from 210 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:30.279 a scoring standpoint, but impacts it from a passing and 211 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:33.360 creating havoc on the floor with his presence, just like 212 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:35.159 you talked about. 213 00:09:34.679 --> 00:09:37.679 So you referenced let me pull up his splits here 214 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:38.080 for a moment. 215 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:40.879 I just had him up, but you reference Keanu Das 216 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:44.240 as of late, you know, there's a lot to like, 217 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:46.240 And the more and more I watch, you know, I 218 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:48.000 kind of feel like this could be a player that 219 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:50.360 maybe I didn't hone in on enough that I probably 220 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:52.639 should watch more to see what he could mean to 221 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:54.799 this team moving forward. What have you seen as far 222 00:09:54.840 --> 00:09:56.759 as his growth? What stands out most to you about 223 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:57.600 how he's improved? 224 00:10:01.480 --> 00:10:05.840 One He's legit six ' nine. He's legit and a 225 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:10.039 legit athlete, right, so he's that next level kind of athlete. 226 00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:15.720 He really nice, which is good and bad. And he 227 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:20.159 had a kind of a string of confidence problems, I 228 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:22.720 would say, And what fans don't know, and you and 229 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:25.320 I have talked about this is when you're in practice, you 230 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:28.240 got to practice well to get playing time. And I 231 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:31.320 think you've seen KD get more playing time and obviously 232 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:35.240 that's feeding him. He does some things really well around 233 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:37.840 the rim, not just getting on top room. He can 234 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:40.759 get on top room. Those dunks he had against TCU 235 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:44.799 were amazing, but he slows down spence and he typically 236 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:48.360 finishes well around the rim. And now we're starting to 237 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:51.720 see because he can also shoot it. He's a good shooter. 238 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:54.519 You're starting to see teams playing him tight and he's 239 00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:57.159 getting a nice sweep. He was a guard for most 240 00:10:57.200 --> 00:10:59.480 of his career. He's kind of one of those kids 241 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:01.799 that was a guard and now he's six y nine 242 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:05.080 in super athletics. I think he's a key to our team. 243 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:09.240 Oh wow, all right, I like it, And like I said, 244 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:10.720 the more and more I've watched, the more and more 245 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:13.639 I like it. But I will simply concede to you 246 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:15.960 because you see all these games before. I get your 247 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:18.320 thoughts on BYU as a guy that's around the team, 248 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:21.000 travels with the team. What what have these back to 249 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:21.600 back wins? 250 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.960 What? What have they done? 251 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:25.799 Because I don't care what level you're playing, man, you 252 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:27.039 could be in junior jazz. 253 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:29.559 You lose ten games, like, just can we win one? Please? 254 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:32.000 So back to back wins? What is it done for 255 00:11:32.080 --> 00:11:32.440 the group? 256 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:36.200 Yeah? I mean you can just see the confidence with 257 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:38.279 the kids. It really does change things, you know. The 258 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:40.639 first time we've been in the Big twelve. Everyone talks 259 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:43.799 about how good it is, and it is good, but 260 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:45.960 it really helps to know that you can win on 261 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:48.840 the road. We basically led that game from the beginning. 262 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:51.639 There was one tie, and we did everything we needed. 263 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:55.279 Did you win that game? We especially are defending well, 264 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:58.360 so I would say the defense travels and we're gonna 265 00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:02.360 need it. You know. BYU offensively has some very very 266 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:05.519 good players. And we'll talk about that in a second. 267 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:08.200 But I think confidence more than anything, and kids believing 268 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:10.960 in themselves. 269 00:12:11.559 --> 00:12:12.559 Why is my microphone? 270 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:12.639 Oh? 271 00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:14.320 There we go? I'm sorry about that. 272 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:14.799 Where'd you go? 273 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:17.000 Well? Just a little peak beyond the curtain. 274 00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:19.120 I am a sports talk radio host with no control 275 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:21.879 over my microphone. It's the dumbest thing, Sean, It's the 276 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:24.559 dumbest thing. But we can move on from it, all right, 277 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:27.720 believe it's just you know what, we'll talk off air 278 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:30.279 and maybe you can help me dance it out because 279 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:31.039 it's pissing me off. 280 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:34.200 Let's move on. I like it, but let's move on. 281 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:37.960 So over to BYU now, and you know, let's hone 282 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:41.320 in on Diegor Yegor Demon, who apparently is a seven 283 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:45.519 figure NIO kid. I believe Gavoni's latest mock draft has 284 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:48.919 him going seven, so a top seven prospect. 285 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:52.759 And look, it's easy to see the measurables. 286 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:57.200 It's easy to see the raw skill and in spurts 287 00:12:57.200 --> 00:13:00.480 and in moments, and look, he's become he's it's becoming 288 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:03.000 accustomed to playing physical college basketball. 289 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:03.799 It's a new game for him. 290 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:06.559 It's a different game for him, and I can see 291 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:10.360 why pro scouts like him. But as you know, sometimes 292 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:13.559 college performance means nothing about scouting the pros. Like Kyrie 293 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:15.720 Irving played like six games and everybody knew he was 294 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:18.240 the best player in the class. But what stands out 295 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:20.639 most to you when you watch Diegor Demon Sean. 296 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.840 I mean more than anything. He wants to pass it. 297 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:28.519 If I'm another athlete and I'm playing with Diagor Denham, 298 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:33.559 dem I'm looking to get a catch all the time. 299 00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:36.559 I love that about kids. I think that's the number 300 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:40.399 one thing for me. Obviously his physical skill set, and 301 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:44.000 also you know, obviously he can shoot it. I think 302 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:46.720 the jury's out as to how good he can shoot 303 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:49.759 it on a consistent basis. This is no disrespect to him, 304 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:51.399 but number one is passing. 305 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:54.360 So that's uh. 306 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:57.360 Do you think that's the NBA ready skill, just his size, 307 00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:59.480 his ability to see over defenders and be able to 308 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.960 deliver the all to the red people. 309 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:04.559 Yeah, I think so, And that's exactly why Spence. Everyone 310 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:06.320 has to have an NBA skill. I'm gonna give a 311 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:09.039 little shout out to Brandon Carlson who just had yep, 312 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:12.519 i think, twelve points for Oklahoma City. You know, his 313 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:15.799 NBA skill is shooting. That's what it is, and he's 314 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:19.639 seven feet tall. Good for him. Love that. I think 315 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:24.879 Yegor has got a much higher level. And no disrespect 316 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:28.320 to Brandon, but I think he can have more than one. Obviously, 317 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:32.080 playmaking and NBA is a super high level and at 318 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:35.759 six ' nine that's an unusual playmaker for sure. 319 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:39.960 Now, the scary thing about Byu is of the eleven 320 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:44.360 players Kevin plays, I'll say, I'll say nine of them 321 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:47.600 are legitimate three point threats. I'm not gonna say I'll 322 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:50.639 say nine of the eleven rotational pieces Kevin plays can 323 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:53.480 shoot it from three. Obviously k Bucata does not. We 324 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:55.000 had him up here for a while, but he's a 325 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.960 big body kid. They can rim roll and they'll dunk 326 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:59.399 on your head if you're not careful. And when they 327 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:01.919 make shot, Sean, they are impossible. 328 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.000 It's really really tough. 329 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:07.559 So rotationally defensively on the perimeter, Utah Basketball needs to 330 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:10.159 do what to show to slow down the shooters. 331 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:13.919 Yeah, I mean it's it's super simple to talk about. 332 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:17.080 It's hard to do. But in essence, you want a 333 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:21.080 shoot her to dribble, you know, unless they dribble well 334 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:22.840 to a shot, but you want them to dribble. So 335 00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:24.840 you want a shoot her to be a driver, and 336 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:26.919 you want a driver to be a shooter. That's the 337 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:31.440 old Rick Majeri's simplicity right there. I do think last 338 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:36.320 year in Mark Pope's system. It facilitated them shooting a 339 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:39.399 little bit better. They were really good in transition. I 340 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:43.679 think they're good in transition. I mean, my take right 341 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:48.480 now is Richie Saunders is probably the key to that team. 342 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:52.320 How we defend him not to disrespect anyone else. And 343 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:55.600 I still I think Downan Hall is a really good 344 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:57.799 I mean, heck, he's coming off the bench, are you 345 00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:58.360 kidding me? 346 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.000 Yeah? 347 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:02.879 And I understand why Kevin did that, and I talked 348 00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:06.159 about it earlier because I honestly believe if we look 349 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:09.919 last game, Dallan played twenty eight minutes, it looks like 350 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:13.039 Jegor played twenty nine, and then they played alongside each 351 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:15.879 other a little bit. But honestly, Sean, I think if 352 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:19.840 I'm Kevin young I feel like they're better suited when 353 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:23.159 Dallen's their primary ball handler and decision maker because he's 354 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:26.039 played big twelve basketball. He doesn't get rattled. He's a 355 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:29.399 tough kid. So I agree with you that Richie Saunders 356 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:31.759 is key to what they do. But if I'm Kevin 357 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:34.240 young Man, I really feel like Dallen Hall needs to 358 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:36.440 be my primary ball handler and decision maker. 359 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:40.559 I couldn't agree more And I don't. I'm not trying 360 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:44.440 to discredit any one or anything. And I've said this 361 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:48.320 to you on your show, Freshman or Freshman, I don't care. 362 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:50.639 I mean, I understand that Real Madrid is a high 363 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:52.919 level and that he's played at a high level. Jaeger 364 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:57.840 has and catchings as as well. But I'm with you. 365 00:16:58.159 --> 00:17:01.440 I think down Hall is a key component to that 366 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.840 team and how they play. 367 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:06.559 You referenced the way that some of these pieces, including 368 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:08.880 Dallen and Richie played in Mark Pope's system, and of 369 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:11.759 course Mark is now at Kentucky. And hey, look, I've 370 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:14.640 met Kevin a couple of times, and I certainly understand 371 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:17.599 the appeal of hiring a coach that coached Chris Paul, 372 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:18.759 Devin Booker, Kevin Durant. 373 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:20.319 If you didn't know that, just asked Kevin. I'll let 374 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:20.559 you know. 375 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:23.799 And then hiring coaches that play, you know, a coach 376 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:26.359 in the G League and a strength conditioning staff, all 377 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:28.440 the things about the pro model they're following. 378 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:30.200 I get it. It's appealing. 379 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:33.440 It's working obviously because they're signing pro prospects. 380 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.799 But Sean, you know this as well as anyone. 381 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:38.720 Look if there if it's a consensus that you have 382 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:42.000 the talent, you got to show you can coach. Now 383 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:44.319 now it's time for you to show people you can coach. 384 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:47.480 And I'm not saying he's he can't. I'm asking you, 385 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:50.559 you know you reference Mark system. What what is different 386 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:53.440 about the way Kevin's asking them to play? 387 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:56.839 I mean there are a couple different things, significant different 388 00:17:56.920 --> 00:18:02.000 different things. For me. I don't think Mark Pope's system 389 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:05.640 is as good if you don't have shooters, So you've 390 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:08.400 got to just straight up have three point shooters to 391 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:11.240 space it out for it to be effective. I do 392 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:14.640 think Kevin Young's system works a little better if you 393 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:19.200 don't have some shooters. That's just the basic idea about 394 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:22.440 the two systems. And I do think Kevin Young does 395 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:26.160 a really good job of having his kids be crisp 396 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:29.759 with the basketball. They don't waste their energy. I love 397 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:31.400 that you don't see a kid get it and just 398 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:34.160 start dribbling. Their effective and efficient and they're trying to 399 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:38.119 move the ball side to side. But I would say 400 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:41.480 that you've got a head coach. He's been a head 401 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:43.960