1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,879 Speaker 1: Is Cougar Sports with Ben Kretel At its time for 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,960 the Cougar Beat getting the dish from the local reporters 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:07,719 that covered Cougar athletics. 4 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:12,400 Speaker 2: Welcome back to the sports one of three nine ninety 5 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:14,480 eight and one pre ESPN the Fan. I've Ben Prittle 6 00:00:14,519 --> 00:00:18,000 broadcasting from our band Wilt Videos, banderwild dot com. Get 7 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:19,839 on that free q and a no obligation to invest 8 00:00:19,879 --> 00:00:22,399 q A with our tax more wealth advisors. It is 9 00:00:22,519 --> 00:00:24,719 time for Little Cougar be gonna welcome at Cougar Sports 10 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:26,559 Insider to break down all the news and notes coming 11 00:00:26,559 --> 00:00:29,039 out of Brigham, all the topics we've approaching today. Just 12 00:00:29,039 --> 00:00:33,000 got off the line with Matt Carlino, the one of 13 00:00:33,039 --> 00:00:36,719 the best point guards in my opinion, in BAU basketball history. 14 00:00:36,759 --> 00:00:39,840 Did that in two and a half seasons. Statistical out 15 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:43,119 output was very impressive. Wish we could have retained him 16 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:45,719 for an additional year to the lead us to glory 17 00:00:45,719 --> 00:00:49,359 and victory along with Tyler Hallis Kyle Collins within the 18 00:00:49,399 --> 00:00:52,119 crew guard heavy line would have been beautiful in my opinion, 19 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:55,960 and it just didn't come to fruition. 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They have fantastic lodgings there, comfortable beds, spacious 31 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:42,400 rooms and all you can eat breakfast to start the day, 32 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:45,480 and you can bootscoot the boot scoot and boogie the 33 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:48,879 night away at Ebenezer's Barn and grill. Check it out 34 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:51,640 Bryce Candonational Park and rubys In rubies In dot com. 35 00:01:51,719 --> 00:01:55,120 Hikepike razor horseback ride through them hoodoos at Bryce Cannon. 36 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:58,680 You will not be disappointed with your choice. Let's get 37 00:01:58,719 --> 00:02:01,640 out to the hot Hi. Welcome to double D. Darnell 38 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:04,359 Dixon of The Daily Herald was up Double D. 39 00:02:06,319 --> 00:02:08,479 Speaker 1: I'm doing well with good that you're talking to a 40 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:10,960 fellow lefty and Matt Carlino. I hope he's doing well 41 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:12,919 and hope you have a good call tonight. 42 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:14,199 Speaker 3: Yeah. 43 00:02:14,319 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 2: Man, we were saying were we able to were you 44 00:02:16,039 --> 00:02:17,639 able to catch any of the interview with Matt? 45 00:02:18,159 --> 00:02:20,080 Speaker 1: I was not, but I'm gonna go definitely go back 46 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:20,719 and listen to it. 47 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:22,439 Speaker 3: Yeah, you have to check it out. 48 00:02:22,479 --> 00:02:23,800 Speaker 2: Let me know what you think, buddy, I was great 49 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:26,719 catching up with Matt Carlino. What's been keeping you busy, 50 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:30,000 double D? I know you've been typing up, writing up 51 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:33,719 all manner of Cougar sports content for all the consumers 52 00:02:33,719 --> 00:02:34,800 out there in Cougar Country. 53 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:38,759 Speaker 1: Well, I got to apologize to anybody who does follow me. 54 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:41,000 I wasn't able to do much at the Utah game 55 00:02:41,439 --> 00:02:45,520 because the wireless wasn't working on Press Row and Utah 56 00:02:45,719 --> 00:02:48,280 they're not very interested in getting it to work, So 57 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:50,159 there are a lot of us that cover BYU that 58 00:02:50,199 --> 00:02:52,919 weren't able to tweet out what we fought or or 59 00:02:52,960 --> 00:02:57,120 you know, make in game kind of comments. But other 60 00:02:57,199 --> 00:03:00,599 than that, working on obviously lots of Bay Bass stories, 61 00:03:00,599 --> 00:03:03,400 b YU men's volleyball as well, and we have the 62 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:07,199 women's volleyball program hired new coach last week, So the 63 00:03:07,719 --> 00:03:09,680 sports other than football are getting a little of my 64 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:10,479 attention right now. 65 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 3: Hey, all good, all gravy. 66 00:03:14,319 --> 00:03:18,319 Speaker 2: The the headlines right now are all transfer portal related. 67 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:20,919 It's something I know you love to talk about, the 68 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:26,680 nil transfer portal era. But b YU is bringing some 69 00:03:27,199 --> 00:03:31,159 return missionaries home to the state of Utah. Guys like 70 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:35,280 Kada Ulauave coming back home. You got guys like Zak 71 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:38,840 Yamauchi from Stanford who are return who's a return missionary, 72 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:44,719 Jake Clifton from Kansas State, and you got some some 73 00:03:44,759 --> 00:03:49,639 good walker Lions from USC. Your thoughts, your reactions to 74 00:03:50,159 --> 00:03:54,879 the seven acquisitions via the portal for b YU, Well. 75 00:03:54,719 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 1: Ben, I do have to admit, even when I'm working 76 00:03:56,599 --> 00:03:59,560 on other stories, if I happen to see some information 77 00:03:59,719 --> 00:04:03,080 or get some information about a transfer portal, ad I 78 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:05,639 stop and go to my list and make sure I 79 00:04:05,639 --> 00:04:07,159 add them in because I want to keep track of 80 00:04:07,199 --> 00:04:10,520 all of this. A couple of things that stand out 81 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,400 to me. One is it seems as if most of 82 00:04:13,439 --> 00:04:15,840 the guys both getting has more They have more than 83 00:04:15,879 --> 00:04:19,319 one year of eligibility remaining, and I think that's great 84 00:04:19,399 --> 00:04:22,279 because as good as players can be transferring over that 85 00:04:22,319 --> 00:04:24,360 first year, the second year, I think they could be 86 00:04:24,399 --> 00:04:27,439 even better. So there's there's some good opportunities for BYU 87 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:30,879 to build their offensive line and linebacker spots with guys 88 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:34,800 who will have multiple chances in multiple years to play there. 89 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,600 I feel like they've addressed some needs on the offensive 90 00:04:39,639 --> 00:04:42,800 line and with tight end and strengthen the linebacker spot. 91 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,199 I still think they need to get a few defensive linemen. 92 00:04:45,519 --> 00:04:49,000 I'd like to see another playmaking wide receiver with maybe 93 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:52,480 some stats. Nothing against Kyle Kaffer, who seemed like you 94 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,759 would be a nice prospect, but I'd like to see 95 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,800 them go after somebody who may maybe the smaller school 96 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:01,920 that put up good stats that's up there, and just 97 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:04,480 add to those playmakers on the wide receiver group. But 98 00:05:04,959 --> 00:05:08,279 so far, it's doing it. The crews are doing well. 99 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:12,199 We've gone through this several times since the transfer portal 100 00:05:12,519 --> 00:05:16,000 kicked In the one year BYU had close to sixty 101 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,720 new players, and that following year they kind of struggled. 102 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:21,480 So I think they're reaching up right now. Will you 103 00:05:21,519 --> 00:05:25,279 take into account seniors that have graduated and guys have 104 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:28,639 left through the portal and return missionaries that are leaving 105 00:05:28,639 --> 00:05:31,079 that kind of thing. You're upwards of thirty now, and 106 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:33,439 I think that's probably they don't want to go too 107 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:35,800 much higher than that because the more you go beyond that, 108 00:05:35,879 --> 00:05:39,720 I think you create some issues for yourself. And you know, 109 00:05:39,959 --> 00:05:42,199 and we've seen it happen at BYU, so I think 110 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:43,959 they're in a pretty good spot right now. 111 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 2: One of the questions that we've posed, you mentioned it. 112 00:05:48,639 --> 00:05:51,680 Speaker 3: Does b YU football have a wide receiver one? 113 00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 1: In your opinion, No, And I really feel like it's 114 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:02,120 been so easy just to point to Chase Roberts every 115 00:06:02,199 --> 00:06:04,560 year for the last three years and say there is 116 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,560 he's the number one of the guys returning. You know, 117 00:06:07,639 --> 00:06:10,519 Parker is a playmaker for sure, and I think Jojo 118 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:15,279 Phillips has the ability, but he was hurt last year, 119 00:06:15,319 --> 00:06:17,680 so we never really got to see what he would be. 120 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:23,120 So I would definitely like to see them go after 121 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,079 As I mentioned that a receiver or two in the 122 00:06:25,079 --> 00:06:29,600 portal that could step up possibly be number one. I 123 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:32,279 think bear Bachmeyer needs that. I think it was great 124 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:34,639 for him to step up as the starting quarterback and 125 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:37,120 I have someone like Chase robertson throw to it was 126 00:06:37,199 --> 00:06:40,879 automatic on third downs and could get open and make 127 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:46,079 great catches and stance against those guys that are coming back. 128 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:49,759 Nobody really has that resume, So either somebody steps forward 129 00:06:49,759 --> 00:06:52,079 as the number one or they have to go out 130 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:53,759 and get one. So I think that's still in the 131 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,319 process for the Cougars. 132 00:06:56,519 --> 00:06:59,279 Speaker 2: Double d Darnell Dixon here on ESPN the Fan. I 133 00:06:59,279 --> 00:07:01,519 think there are many others that kind of feel the 134 00:07:01,519 --> 00:07:04,160 same way as you do. You could look at Parker Kingston, 135 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:07,600 and Parker Kingston very well could become a wide receiver 136 00:07:07,759 --> 00:07:10,839 one in my opinion he career. He elevated his play 137 00:07:10,879 --> 00:07:15,720 this seasons as a playmaker. I think for BYU a 138 00:07:15,759 --> 00:07:19,199 man that could create space and restricted areas and can 139 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:21,399 kind of take the top off if needed. But he 140 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:24,560 was mostly coming out of the slot, and I've been really. 141 00:07:24,399 --> 00:07:25,319 Speaker 3: Impressed with him. 142 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 2: Do you think maybe Parker, out of all the guys, 143 00:07:27,639 --> 00:07:30,600 could end up being that wide receiver one this next year. 144 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,519 Speaker 1: He seems to have a pretty good rapport with bar Bachmeyer. 145 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:36,560 Looks like those guys have worked a lot together to 146 00:07:36,639 --> 00:07:41,680 get that going. Yeah. Maybe, I mean I like Parker. 147 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:44,920 I think he's a very good player. He does as 148 00:07:44,959 --> 00:07:48,000 you mentioned in tight spaces, he can create a little 149 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:51,000 bit of a separation and that's certainly helpful. And he's 150 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:54,279 does double duty as a punt returner and makes some 151 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:57,399 difference there as well. But you like to have somebody 152 00:07:57,439 --> 00:07:59,600 that's durable. And the Parker is a little smaller, so 153 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:02,079 not that he can't get through the season as the 154 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:04,399 number one, but at the number one gets more targets. 155 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:07,560 It's more times getting hit, and you like your number ones. 156 00:08:07,639 --> 00:08:10,759 Maybe he'd be a little bit bigger and sturdier so 157 00:08:10,879 --> 00:08:13,480 they can take that pounding. So we'll see what happens there. 158 00:08:14,879 --> 00:08:15,519 Speaker 3: Darnell. 159 00:08:16,439 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 2: I didn't think that BYU needed linebackers, but they got 160 00:08:19,759 --> 00:08:22,639 two of them, an All acc player in Kate Uluave 161 00:08:23,279 --> 00:08:26,480 and then they picked up Jake Clifton from Kansas State. 162 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:30,720 Why pick up two more linebackers? Seemed like we're pretty 163 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:32,159 pretty full there are we? 164 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:36,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, But I think that if you take a look 165 00:08:36,039 --> 00:08:39,120 at the twenty twenty five season, there were enough injuries 166 00:08:39,159 --> 00:08:41,279 at that spot where they were having to dig pretty 167 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:45,360 far down in the depth chart, and they have some 168 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:48,720 good depth there, there's no question about that. But not 169 00:08:48,759 --> 00:08:51,840 only injuries to you know, Kobe Bryant Struther was having 170 00:08:52,039 --> 00:08:54,240 a pretty good start to a season. He got hurt, 171 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:57,720 but and then you had Isaiah Glaster and got banged up, 172 00:08:57,799 --> 00:09:00,799 and Jack Kelly got banged up. Just a position that 173 00:09:00,879 --> 00:09:02,799 lends itself to guys that are going to get hurt, 174 00:09:02,879 --> 00:09:05,600 and so they're in Cielo Serra I think miss some 175 00:09:05,639 --> 00:09:08,120 time as well. So I think they're going after some 176 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,200 depth there with not just you know, second or third 177 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:13,799 string type guys, but number one guys, so they can 178 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:18,720 maybe either replace those guys that get hurt or maybe 179 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:20,559 give them a few less reps so that they're a 180 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:21,320 little bit stronger. 181 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:25,559 Speaker 2: This season goes on Darnelle Dixon here on your Utah 182 00:09:25,799 --> 00:09:29,720 ESPN Radio network. They picked up three offensive lineman, Zach Yamucci, 183 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:35,399 Paki Final and then Junior Sia from Utah State. All 184 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:39,879 three have starting experience. All three were sought after in 185 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:44,559 the NC the in the transfer portal by P four institutions. 186 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:47,759 Speaker 3: What does it say like three offensive linemen. 187 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 2: I thought we had plenty of talent along that offensive line. 188 00:09:52,759 --> 00:09:55,519 Why do you think they were so aggressive and obtaining 189 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:57,840 three portal offensive linemen? 190 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 1: Well, it seems like the those three guys are largely 191 00:10:02,279 --> 00:10:06,080 interior offensive lineman. If I'm not mistaken, they did have 192 00:10:06,159 --> 00:10:09,159 some injuries there. And you know, as a coach, your 193 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,240 job is to create the best room you possibly can 194 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:15,360 and if there is somebody that wants to come, that 195 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:18,360 will make your room stronger and make the competition stronger. 196 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:21,200 I think the offensive line is definitely one of those spots. 197 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:24,240 So that's in my mind, that's why YU is bringing 198 00:10:24,279 --> 00:10:27,480 in those three offensive line because they want that offensive 199 00:10:27,519 --> 00:10:32,320 line to be very competitive, and they want the guys 200 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:34,679 that are coming back not to get comfortable and keep 201 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:38,039 working hard and they're to be really good competition in practice, 202 00:10:38,039 --> 00:10:40,799 and that's really their job. And with a position like 203 00:10:40,879 --> 00:10:43,360 offensive line, where we have five of them and you 204 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:45,399 want to be able to rotate a few through and 205 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:47,759 there's going to be injuries and things, you always want 206 00:10:47,759 --> 00:10:49,759 to build that depth. And again you want to build 207 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:53,639 the ability to have just great competition in practice, to 208 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:57,279 put guys in positions to make your offenses the best 209 00:10:57,279 --> 00:10:57,679 that you can. 210 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:03,159 Speaker 2: Darn well, well, let's get prepped for some BYU basketball, 211 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:05,799 shall we. I know that's that's one of your favorite sports. 212 00:11:05,799 --> 00:11:08,559 You're a hooper, You're you're you're like a left handed 213 00:11:08,639 --> 00:11:12,240 gymmer on the floor, a gold medalist of bucket getting 214 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:14,159 is what you are and don't get the truth he 215 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:17,240 does have gold medals cougarnation for those that don't know, 216 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:21,399 b always fifteen and one. Right now, the only loss 217 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:25,279 is the Ukon man. It seems like the always trending 218 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:28,159 in the direction of finally getting the monkey after back 219 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:32,759 for the most, the most NCAA appearances without reaching the final. 220 00:11:32,799 --> 00:11:35,200 Speaker 3: For it is this the year? Is this the year 221 00:11:35,279 --> 00:11:36,159 double d? 222 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:39,840 Speaker 1: It very well could be. There are still a few concerns. 223 00:11:39,879 --> 00:11:42,320 One of those is the number of minutes that the 224 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:45,679 aj Debons and Richie Saunders and Rob Wright are playing. 225 00:11:47,399 --> 00:11:49,360 That can wear you out a little bit. And it's 226 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:51,639 a little higher for your top of your players than 227 00:11:51,639 --> 00:11:56,440 it's been in the past. I feel like their bench 228 00:11:56,519 --> 00:12:00,320 play and the subs have been a little inconsistent. They 229 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:03,039 need that to show up a little bit. But there 230 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:06,080 was still winning games. There only losses you mentioned to Yukon. 231 00:12:06,919 --> 00:12:10,159 Even Kevin Young, who doesn't really comment that much on 232 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:15,080 you know, things like poles and and and and uh, 233 00:12:15,159 --> 00:12:17,440 you know, numbers, that kind of thing. Uh, he did 234 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:19,840 mention on Monday when you talked to him. He said, hey, look, 235 00:12:19,879 --> 00:12:22,600 we were nine. We dropped two spots after you won 236 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:25,399 three games. What's up with that? And we all know, 237 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:30,399 and I've been a voter on the AP Basketball Poll, 238 00:12:31,519 --> 00:12:34,440 it doesn't make some sense. Sometimes it's difficult, but there 239 00:12:34,519 --> 00:12:36,120 it just means there's a lot of good teams in 240 00:12:36,159 --> 00:12:40,639 this in this in this country. And and Nebraska and 241 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:43,480 Vanderbilt are both undefeated. So they jumped over b yucause 242 00:12:43,519 --> 00:12:45,639 they haven't lost yet, and a lot of that as 243 00:12:45,639 --> 00:12:48,720 a product of who you've played. You know, B B 244 00:12:48,919 --> 00:12:51,159 YU right now sitting pretty but they are facing a 245 00:12:51,159 --> 00:12:54,279 pretty tough schedule. They've got Arizona twice. They've got to 246 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:57,240 go to Kansas, We've got Texas Tech at home on Saturday. 247 00:12:57,799 --> 00:13:02,039 So in another another game against Utah, they showed, you know, Utah, 248 00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:04,679 if they play the way they're capable, can hang with anybody. 249 00:13:05,879 --> 00:13:10,360 So there's a lot left to be decided. And this 250 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:12,919 is a really good basketball team. This is a team 251 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:17,600 that has a lot of options on the offense if 252 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:19,840 teams want to do what Utah did and just double 253 00:13:19,879 --> 00:13:22,480 team aj As soon as he gets the ball, Richie 254 00:13:22,519 --> 00:13:25,519 goes for twenty four and Rob Wright goes for twenty three, 255 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:29,840 So they're difficult to guard, and they're getting better defensively. 256 00:13:29,879 --> 00:13:31,720 I still think there's some things they can do to 257 00:13:31,759 --> 00:13:34,200 shore that up, and again, as I mentioned, their guys 258 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:36,159 coming off the bench need to be a little more consistent. 259 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:39,200 But it's a really good team and the possibility of 260 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:42,039 getting to the Final four with this team is better 261 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:45,879 than it's probably been in ever since Jimmer played. I mean, 262 00:13:45,919 --> 00:13:49,639 this is a program that Kevin Young has built to 263 00:13:49,759 --> 00:13:52,679 get there, and even last year, just this first year, 264 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:54,919 he's able to get to this week sixteen, and then 265 00:13:54,919 --> 00:13:58,000 they've made some adjustments defensively and brought in different players 266 00:13:58,080 --> 00:13:59,879 and appear to be on a really good path for 267 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:00,399 right now. 268 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:04,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's it's a great team. 269 00:14:04,879 --> 00:14:08,519 Speaker 2: And look they're they're trending in a direction that I 270 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:13,120 think is unprecedented. It's it's pretty incredible to watch and 271 00:14:13,519 --> 00:14:16,279 I'm loving every minute of it. Obviously, that was close one, 272 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:19,519 though at the Huntsman Center. It's a close one by 273 00:14:19,559 --> 00:14:20,519 the skin of their teeth. 274 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:24,559 Speaker 3: They got by it. Like many other teams before them, it. 275 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 1: Didn't have to be close, and by you did some 276 00:14:26,519 --> 00:14:28,960 free throws that it would have probably been a little 277 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:32,039 close to a double digit win. But that's what happens 278 00:14:32,039 --> 00:14:34,240 in this in the I by U U dou series. 279 00:14:34,279 --> 00:14:38,039 We've seen it in all sports but men's basketball. It's 280 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:41,240 been kind of crazy that BYU hasn't won up there 281 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,000 for a while, and Richie had never won up there, 282 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:46,879 and and he hadn't, to be honest, had a great 283 00:14:46,919 --> 00:14:50,879 game against Utah until until that game, until Saturday. He 284 00:14:50,919 --> 00:14:54,799 had twenty four and then sixteen or fourteen rebounds. He 285 00:14:55,240 --> 00:15:00,080 was absolutely amazing in that game. And and it it 286 00:15:00,159 --> 00:15:02,399 just shows you. And it was funny because I saw 287 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:04,960 some Utah comments like, that's not a play on the 288 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:07,120 four team if they can't beat us that by you know, 289 00:15:07,279 --> 00:15:10,039 just four or five points, And I thought, yeah, you know, 290 00:15:10,279 --> 00:15:12,720 final four teams never played close games throughout the season. 291 00:15:12,759 --> 00:15:16,600 That just never happened. But but it does show you 292 00:15:16,639 --> 00:15:18,399 that you got to bring it every night in this league. 293 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:20,559 For sure, you have to bring it every night, and 294 00:15:20,799 --> 00:15:22,360 they're going to be you know, you think about there 295 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:25,759 hasn't really been a lot of setbacks for this team. 296 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:28,320 You know a lot of things they've had to overcome, 297 00:15:28,399 --> 00:15:30,840 and they're gonna lose some games in this league. I mean, 298 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:32,879 I think it'd be great if they went undefeated, but 299 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:36,039 that's not realistic, and they're gonna lose some games they 300 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:37,600 think they probably should have won, and they've got to 301 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:39,759 recover from that and come out in the next game 302 00:15:39,799 --> 00:15:42,320 and play well. And so I'm looking forward to seeing 303 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:45,200 how they respond to some adversity when it pops up, 304 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:47,200 because this league is just way too tough to just go 305 00:15:47,279 --> 00:15:49,519 out and play your best every night. They're gonna have 306 00:15:49,519 --> 00:15:50,919 a dud, they're gonna have a game, They're gonna go 307 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:53,080 out and it's just not gonna work for them, and 308 00:15:53,679 --> 00:15:55,039 you know, they're gonna have to figure out how to 309 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:55,879 get get over that. 310 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:02,559 Speaker 2: Love the breakdown from Darnell Dixon the Daily Heraldy and 311 00:16:02,679 --> 00:16:07,639 talking some BYU Ball here on your Utah ESPN Radio network. 312 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:12,360 Speaker 3: Uh. As we get into this, uh into the. 313 00:16:12,279 --> 00:16:15,679 Speaker 2: Really the heart of the Big twelve schedule, and you're 314 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:19,799 looking at the next few games. Obviously TCU a formidable 315 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:22,639 foe at the Marriage Center, but everyone's all the fans 316 00:16:22,679 --> 00:16:25,399 got their eyes on that Texas Tech game, right, Everyone's like, 317 00:16:25,639 --> 00:16:29,039 wonder what's going to happen there? Uh, what are you 318 00:16:29,279 --> 00:16:31,799 looking at as far as the schedule is concerned for 319 00:16:31,879 --> 00:16:35,440 b YU where where are your eyes being cast? Where 320 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:38,159 the where's the gays? The all seeing eye of Darnell 321 00:16:38,679 --> 00:16:40,399 being being illuminated? 322 00:16:41,519 --> 00:16:44,120 Speaker 1: Well, Texas Tech is a really good team. JT. Toppin's 323 00:16:44,159 --> 00:16:47,320 the best big man in the conference, and so that's 324 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:51,080 going to take a real good defensive effort. And by 325 00:16:51,159 --> 00:16:53,679 bringing in Abdullah on that they've they've shored up that 326 00:16:53,759 --> 00:16:59,000 into your defense really well. The showdown with Arizona on 327 00:16:59,159 --> 00:17:02,679 the twenty sixth January Arizona, you know, they lost some 328 00:17:02,799 --> 00:17:05,880 guys to the portal, some good scorer and their league 329 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:08,440 scorers in the NBA, and they're better than they were 330 00:17:08,519 --> 00:17:10,880 last year. I think. I think they're much better, and 331 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:14,279 they can score from different angles and they just push 332 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:17,079 that temple so hard on you and BA used one 333 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:20,319 at Kansas before, but that will still be difficult. And 334 00:17:20,359 --> 00:17:22,640 then you know when they played they have not been 335 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:25,480 able to get close to Houston since they joined the conference. 336 00:17:26,559 --> 00:17:30,200 The Houston Coucher's defense ha just ate them up every 337 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:33,200 time they played. So I think that's going to be 338 00:17:33,319 --> 00:17:36,799 a real Ringer bell Weather kind of game when they 339 00:17:36,799 --> 00:17:42,759 play Houston on February seventh. This is not maybe as 340 00:17:42,799 --> 00:17:45,720 good a Houston team as they've been in the past, 341 00:17:45,759 --> 00:17:47,599 but they're still ranks that in the country and they 342 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:50,920 still play amazing defense, and so I'm curious to see 343 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:55,200 how the Cougars respond and make a close game for sure, 344 00:17:55,279 --> 00:17:58,079 but even have a chance to beat Houston, because, like 345 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:00,880 I said, since they joined the conference, Houston has been 346 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:03,319 able to kind of do whatever they want and it's 347 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:05,839 wert their will on the Cougars, and so we'll see 348 00:18:05,839 --> 00:18:08,640 how that one turns out. But that's the next several weeks. 349 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:12,319 There's some great ballgames, and that's one of the things 350 00:18:12,359 --> 00:18:15,160 I really enjoyed about the Big Twelve is Texas Tech 351 00:18:15,319 --> 00:18:18,240 is ranked fifteenth. They're coming to the marriage Center. Arizona 352 00:18:18,319 --> 00:18:21,039 is number one, They're coming to the marriage center. Houston 353 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:24,400 is number one, coming to the marriage Center. That's amazing 354 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:27,599 to me. And they've got Iowa State later this season's 355 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:30,079 coming to the merry Center. Iowa State it's undefeated, number two. 356 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:33,240 So I love that they're bringing in these teams that 357 00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:35,160 they could never even get a sniff of when they 358 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:38,680 were playing in the other conferences to come into the 359 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:41,200 marriage Center. And you know they started with this in 360 00:18:41,279 --> 00:18:44,200 this league. In a league play is we get to 361 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:47,960 talk to the opposing coach after games of the Marriage Center, 362 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:50,839 and that's fantastic. I love to hear their perspective on things. 363 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:53,920 Bobby Hurley was really amazing a week or so ago 364 00:18:54,039 --> 00:18:57,279 when Arizona State came and had some funny comments to make. 365 00:18:57,359 --> 00:19:00,880 So it's big time and it's something that I'm looking 366 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:01,559 forward to seeing. 367 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:05,640 Speaker 2: You mentioned the apeopole earlier in the in the show, 368 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:09,680 you've been an AP voter, Darnell. Why is it that 369 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:12,640 BYU fell two spots after getting a win on the 370 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:16,880 road versus versus Utah at the Huntsman Center a quad 371 00:19:16,920 --> 00:19:20,920 to victory And how much created should we give the 372 00:19:21,039 --> 00:19:24,480 AP pole for basketball or football? 373 00:19:26,759 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: Well, a little bit. I mean it's it is a 374 00:19:29,319 --> 00:19:33,039 perception that you can look at. But in the last 375 00:19:33,160 --> 00:19:35,920 net rankings, I think BYU was eight or nine still, 376 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:38,759 so I think they're still in pretty much the same spot. 377 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,240 I just think that now that we're into conference play, 378 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:45,880 Nebraska and Vanderbilt are still winning and they're still undefeated, 379 00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:49,480 so it's hard to keep them behind the BYU, who 380 00:19:49,559 --> 00:19:51,440 does have the one loss, even though it is to 381 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:54,920 number three Yukon. So I think that's probably the main 382 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:58,680 reason is you know, you look at what Nebraska and 383 00:19:59,279 --> 00:20:01,640 we saw no brass get in the preseason game and 384 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:05,400 they beat BYU by one. We saw they were pretty talented, 385 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:09,240 and they've continued to do that. When Nebraska and Vanderbilt 386 00:20:09,279 --> 00:20:11,920 are playing in their non conference schedule, they're playing a 387 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:13,799 bunch of guys they can beat by a bunch, and 388 00:20:13,839 --> 00:20:16,720 it's hard to know kind of how good they are. 389 00:20:16,759 --> 00:20:18,039 But once they get in the league play and they 390 00:20:18,079 --> 00:20:21,279 start getting victories, then you start saying, Okay, they're pretty good. 391 00:20:21,279 --> 00:20:24,240 And Nebraska and Vanderbilt have done that in their lead, 392 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:27,359 so to me, that's why. But I wouldn't be too 393 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:30,519 concerned because the net ranking really makes a big difference, 394 00:20:30,519 --> 00:20:33,440 and BA has a lot of chances to build that up, 395 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:35,799 and they're already at eight or nine now. So I 396 00:20:35,799 --> 00:20:38,279 think that that bau fans shouldn't fret too much about 397 00:20:38,319 --> 00:20:42,200 the A people because there are opportunities to strengthen their 398 00:20:42,559 --> 00:20:45,000 NCAA resume coming up in the league. 399 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 2: Double d Darnel Dixon appreciate you hopping on for yet 400 00:20:49,519 --> 00:20:55,839 another Cougar beat and talking BYU football, BYU basketball. We 401 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:58,000 didn't really delve into the Olympic sports at all. But 402 00:20:58,039 --> 00:21:00,400 I know you're excited about them. 403 00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, this is this is a good time of year 404 00:21:03,079 --> 00:21:06,119 for some of those sports. You know, baseball actually gets 405 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:10,440 started pretty soon, and softball, the spring sports are getting 406 00:21:10,519 --> 00:21:12,920 kind of reped up. And and the b YU men's 407 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:15,839 volleyball team is really interesting with its uh four guys 408 00:21:15,839 --> 00:21:19,279 that came in from Grand Canyon who who killed their 409 00:21:19,319 --> 00:21:23,200 program to put money somewhere else. It's amazing because the 410 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:25,079 Grand King is one of the richest schools in the country. 411 00:21:25,079 --> 00:21:27,759 They can't afford a men's volleyball program. But that their 412 00:21:27,839 --> 00:21:30,640 loss was BYU's game. And we got a chance to 413 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:34,880 see that team last weekend and they get beat Saint 414 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:38,640 Francis swept both nights, and U see San Diego coming 415 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:42,000 in on Friday and Saturday this week. And Sean Holmeston's 416 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:44,960 got his work cut out for him because these are 417 00:21:45,039 --> 00:21:46,640 kind of just the warm up games. They have some 418 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:50,200 really big ones coming up later in the schedule with 419 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:53,400 U C. L A And Stanford and Pepperdine and some 420 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:56,359 of those traditional powers. But it's a fun sport and 421 00:21:56,599 --> 00:21:58,960 and it's it's a great night in the Smithfield House. 422 00:22:00,319 --> 00:22:03,559 Speaker 2: Love it Double D and UH the sponsor of the 423 00:22:03,599 --> 00:22:06,640 segment is Ruby's In and I know you've hiked, biked, 424 00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:09,759 razor and horseback ride through the hooters of Bryce Cannon. 425 00:22:10,119 --> 00:22:12,559 And I know you're no friend of the mouse, but 426 00:22:12,839 --> 00:22:15,599 uh is it? Is it not an accurate depiction? I 427 00:22:15,599 --> 00:22:18,559 mean when you go into cars Land and uh and 428 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:21,559 Big Thunder Mountain, I mean all of that is inspired 429 00:22:21,599 --> 00:22:24,640 by Ruby's In and Bryce Cannon National Park. 430 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:28,720 Speaker 1: You know, I hadn't put that really together, but when 431 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:31,519 when you said that in the intro, I thought, yeah, 432 00:22:31,599 --> 00:22:33,759 that makes a lot of sense. And that's one of 433 00:22:33,799 --> 00:22:35,400 the reasons. I guess. I guess one of my kids 434 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:37,640 liked to go there when we were taking So it 435 00:22:37,799 --> 00:22:39,920 is a fantastic place, you know. I you know, I 436 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:42,720 love it out there. That free breakfast is something else. 437 00:22:42,759 --> 00:22:45,880 And I like the non light pollution of the area 438 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:47,880 once it gets dark at night, it gets dark. 439 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, so it's. 440 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:52,160 Speaker 1: It feels like you're in a different place. And the 441 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:55,200 hiking is great, and and the snow and they've got 442 00:22:55,319 --> 00:22:58,200 ice skating rink there, and it's it's a fun it's 443 00:22:58,240 --> 00:22:58,799 a fun time. 444 00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:00,000 Speaker 3: Love it. 445 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:02,279 Speaker 2: Double D appreciate you man, thanks for hopping on for you. 446 00:23:02,279 --> 00:23:03,240 At another Cougar beat. 447 00:23:03,960 --> 00:23:05,559 Speaker 1: All right, Ben, have a great rest of your week. 448 00:23:05,839 --> 00:23:06,759 Speaker 3: All right, you too, man. 449 00:23:07,079 --> 00:23:09,319 Speaker 2: That segment was brought to you by rubys In rubies 450 00:23:09,359 --> 00:23:11,599 In dot com Head on over to rubies In dot 451 00:23:11,599 --> 00:23:14,279 com Forts last nine to sixty get twenty percent off 452 00:23:14,319 --> 00:23:18,599 your staycation at rubies In in Bryce Canyon National Park. 453 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:21,559 Speaker 3: Let's take a brief time out. We'll be back. Tanner Wall, 454 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:23,480 former BYU safety. 455 00:23:23,440 --> 00:23:26,319 Speaker 2: Taking his talents to the National Football League, going to 456 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:29,920 be training. We'll find out where he's training and who's 457 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:34,160 what agency he signed with, and what he needs to 458 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:38,039 improve upon leading up to the Pro Day and NFL 459 00:23:38,119 --> 00:23:41,680 Combine and obviously NFL Draft. You're listening to Cougar Sports 460 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:43,559 on one of three nine nine eight point three ESPN