Mika is a player with proven ability. TJ Haws was the player of the year in Utah HS. Bryant was the freshman of the year in the Colonial Conference and has shown he can score at the Div I level. Childs will be a strong power forward. Emery will be back with a year of experience under his belt. Dastrup was a recruit at the highest level and was committed to Ohio State until the last minute.

Utah might have some decent players next year but just basing it on potential, which is all we can do at this point in time, BYU looks to be stronger next season and Utah weaker. I happen to believe that this was a factor in the decision and this belief is shared by some friends of mine that are big Utah fans.

Chris Hill does not want to play anyone in state if he can avoid it. He somehow thinks that if he can avoid playing the other Div I teams he can gain dominance in the media market, such that the Utah market is. He is mistaken but that does not seem to hinder him in pursuing this fantasy. Coach K wants to recruit better in state and next year BYU will be reaping what was a pretty good bumper crop of LDS talent. Those battles are already lost but future ones might hinge on who wins games and rather than take a chance of losing they conveniently come up with a lame excuse to cancel a 100 year series.

Now tell me how you support their decision and believe it has something to do with player safety? If that were the real case it would make K look like the biggest hypocrite in basketball because he made his living being an enforcer in the NBA.