I too find the lack of offensive development among our bigs to be a bit puzzling. While I've certainly never experienced anything like competitive basketball at the D-1, NCAA-tournament team level, I find a lot of big man skills to be highly teachable. What's more, we have a credible and experienced big man coach in Pope. Yet, we see post player after post player come through the program without significant progress in their offensive skills around the basket. I think the Rose system may be a significant factor, but overall, I don't get it.

Our lack of defense seems to be a function of players and scheme. We've been more effective under Rose in the past and showed some improvement, for a time, this season with Sharp and Bartley on the floor. I think John is right in that we just don't appear to have the Jackson Emery/Abuou types coming, who can both score and defend at a high level. BYU may have to settle for what improvement they can get through (hopefully) much a greater emphasis and a thorough review of our shortcomings, followed by whatever schematic improvements we might make.

The issue with the bigs should largely fix itself through better players. Defense? Here's hoping we can find a way to play some in the near future. Kaufusi's continued development should help, but the porous resistance to opposing guards' penetration and the parade of open outside looks will have to slow significantly for BYU to improve in 2015-16.