which is my qualification for a great season. His timely 100% come back is too big a variable to fail if BYU is to have a great season. PG alternatives, while OK, are too big a drop off.

But, i disagree on your other two points, especially on Carlino. IMO, he held the team back, especially KC's game. That transfer, to quote Mantis Mutu, is "addition by subtraction." Not saying he won't help Marquette and have a good year there. Good luck to him.

Regarding Mika, he was a strong center but only averaged 25 minutes and many of those while tiptoeing on egg shells in foul trouble. There was a big drop off in the line-up during the 15 minutes while Mika sat out last season. Any advantage that BYU had with Mika at center over this year's best center is more than offset by the vastly stronger force among the backups at the post positions. Issac Neilson and Kaufusi will be more than competent and Nate Austin has improved his play on defense and rebounding in each of the last 3 years. Look for him to do so again. Surprisingly to me, Luke Worthington looks trimmer, quicker, and much improved. And PF is necessarily significantly stronger with Aytes and the other additions.

http://www.cougarboard.com/board/message.html?id=12785391

BTW, i have seen Kaufusi scrimmage several times this summer and his level of play was clearly stronger than any big on the team. In addition, he outplayed Chris Miles, Trent Plaisted, and Brandon Davies. He may not start ahead of a senior, but i'll be most surprised if he doesn't prove to you and to others that he is a key to the team. FWIW

If and only if KC is 100% from day one, which i agree is by no means a certainty, my expectation is that this team wins 30 and either the WCC regular season, the WCC tournament, or both. If KC doesn't return to 100% early, BYU still wins 25.

But that is what makes a market of opinion. Glad you made the comments. Thanks.