1. A decent NC schedule
I realize we didn't even fare well against the mediocre WCC teams on our schedule, but these guys have to be tested more so than they were this year before we get to conference play. We don't need every game to be against UCLA or Kentucky, but there are plenty of mid-range P5 teams that we ought to be able to schedule something with. But we need more good games during non conference play so that every one doesn't have to be a must-win. We were basically screwed before conference play this year because we blew our rare chances at an RPI boosting game.

2. Health
Keeping everyone healthy is an absolute must. I realize it's a pipe dream, but for once can't the guy at the end of the bench be injured, and not the key players? Bryant being integrated into the team after the injury was a chemistry killer.

3. Breakout seasons
Bryant and Dastrup are my key players next year. They both need to have highly productive offseasons in order for us to be a tourney team next year. I think we finally started to see Bryant's potential towards the end of the year when he stopped trying to do too much. I expect him to be a leader next year. Dastrup has a whole offseason to get into shape and get experience in this system. There is a reason he was so highly recruited. I hope he can be a solid 6th man who can nearly be interchangeable with Yoeli and Mika. His ability to hit the outside shot will offer a very nice change of pace. But he has to come back next year ready to play.

4. Consistency
I really think this starts with Emery. He struggled with injuries this year, which definitely affected his game. But he was also a head case, and I think he struggled with finding his role this season. I actually think if he accepted a similar role that his brother filled it would elevate our team considerably. But when Emery is pressing, it feels like the whole team is pressing. He'll be a junior next year, and we need him to be a calming influence for the team, and not the opposite. Many of you have given up on him, but I think he may be the biggest key to our success. If he settles into the team mindset we need him to have, and plays the defense we know he can play, our team will be so much better.

5. Bench
I'm not asking much. We just need a couple of guys who can contribute. When Haws and Mika were out of the games, we saw some incredibly bad offensive lineups out there. There has to be a guy or two who can make a play. Nixon was billed as a guy who could hit the 3, but we never saw it his freshman year. I hope he can fill that shooting role next year. He has nice size, and we really need him to be able to contribute, or we need to find someone else who can. Shaw and Andrus (and Aytes, who has been a tough nut to crack) need to be able to come in and simply not look lost out there. Play good defense and have a couple of post moves in your back pocket. I don't feel like I'm asking too much. I liked Beo and Guinn's defensive efforts this year. Now we need them to play as aggressively offensively as they do defensively. I think we kind of know what we have with Guinn, but I think there is room for Beo to improve and give us some more productive minutes off the bench.

6. Coaching
I truly believe a change needs to be made. If it's not Rose, that's fine. But then we at least need to bring in some fresh assistant blood. We have been doing the same thing for too long expecting different results. We really haven't seen the efficient play we grew accustomed to under Rose since Rice left. But if we can't make a change, it sure would be nice to see some adjustments made game to game. We are too easy to game plan for, and struggle too much to game plan for other good teams. We have the talent to compete with anyone in the conference, even Gonzaga at times. But to be outcoached so clearly by WCC teams is unacceptable. We ask our players to improve, and I think it's perfectly fair to ask our coaches to improve as well.

7. Roster Additions
I'm still holding out small hope that Popoola ends up coming to BYU. But whether it's him or someone else, this guard line needs some depth. A grad transfer like Rose who can come off the bench and give us meaningful minutes would be huge. Where's Halford when you need him?


The bottom line is that we need some big improvements on several fronts in order to be more than a 3-4th place WCC team. But it can be done. I'm just getting tired of always waiting until next year. I didn't mention Haws much, but I expect him to emerge as the playmaker on this team. He'll learn to take better care of the ball. For a freshman, he had quite the campaign.