the streets of Provo.

Why? Talent.

Young, inexperienced teams win titles almost every year in college basketball. Just two years ago Duke won it with a core of freshman in Okafor, Winslow, Jones and Allen. Now our talent isn't that high, but I am also not expecting to win a national title.

What can derail our chances? Injuries. Injuries are always an X factor in any sport. With Rose hobbled (I think he will be 100% by Princeton) and Bryant out (more serious) we aren't off to a good start. That being said, these guys can play.

The other worry I have is rust, not inexperience. Dastrup looks a little heavier than he did. Surely Mika lost some explosiveness and Haws some quickness. How much? Time will tell.

That being said, this year we have talent and depth unlike anything we have seen since the Jimmer years.

We were counting on Jamal Aytes a year ago, now he is an afterthought. Gone are the days when Luke Worthington (or even Corbin Kaufusi) will be starting. Kyle Davis won't be option #2 going into the year, he will be closer to #5. Emery, Haws, Bryant, Rose, Childs, Mika, Dastrup, Davis, Kaufusi, Aytes, Beo...etc. This team is extremely good and talented. If guys are rusty there are others to take their place. If guys are injured there is solid talent behind them. This team has the athletes to play great defense (a staple of the LP3 in high school and guys like Rose, Bryant, and Kaufusi should be great defensive options.

Simply put, talent, not experience wins out in my book. This team is talented. This is the year we have been waiting for when our studs are in the fold. It has been a long time coming and I am expecting big things. National Title? No. A surefire, not on the bubble NCAA team? Yes, I think so.