No one wants anyone injured and there's little doubt that BYU's defense and rebounding all season long would most likely have been better with Austin at the 5.

But Kaufusi and Worthington both got a ton of starting minutes after Nate's injury. Minutes that developed them, gave game-experience and really started to show Kaufusi progress and show glimmers of what he's capable of while Worthington loses minutes on the floor. Worthington was the starter for most of the year but is there doubt in anyone's mind who has all the upside right now? Kaufusi made a ton of progress with his time with the coaches, with Austin, and his time on the floor.

My point is I don't think much of that happens if Nate doesn't get hurt. If Nate is paying most of the minutes, Worthington wraps up as weaker #2 and Kaufusi gets to come in to give 5 fouls once in a while as a strong-man. I have little doubt he's also taken advantage of Nate as another big man coach on staff this year.

So was the team better because of the injury? Certainly not early in the year but what about now?

All I know is it seems BYU is peaking at the right time and anything can happen in the tournament. And we are getting some very legitimate points and defense out of our bigs right now.