I attended the Salt Lake CC Lunch today with Dave Rose.  I went to the lunch pessimistic.  The last 3-4 years have been tough to watch and I like many of you have felt disconnected to BYU basketball especially this year.  The blowout losses to St. Mary's and two blowout first round exits from the NIT have been tough to watch.

I warmed up to Coach Rose again today however.  He came across really well and gave the impression (at least to me) that he has a full handle on what the challenges are and is aware of all the small details/aspects of the team.  He geniunely cares about the welfare of the student athlete.  He also put a huge effort into that practice facility that will be there long after he retires from coaching.

Here are a few interest points he made:

• There were over 800 transfers in division 1 NCAA basketball last year.  That's higher than any other sport including football.  He said the time of the four year player that is willing to sit the bench and work on his game as a freshman and sophomore are close to extinct.  Social media, AAU leagues and coaches, and sports marketing/agents have completely changed the game.
• He said that Jesse Wade is a starting player on the team if he wasn't sitting out transfer rules.  Said he is doing as well or better than Chase Fischer, Eli Bryant, Matt Carlino, did in the transfer year that they sat out.  Said Jesse is putting the ball in the basket more than anyone in some practices.  
• Said the WCC did no favors for BYU by recognizing our tough out of conference travel schedule and put BYU travelling in the first week of conference which resulted in 30 days of road/travel games.
• Said that one of our biggest challenges is that we don't have a physical/athletic enough perimeter player on defense (that Bryant was under rated in this and no one has stepped up to fill the void) and it is the biggest culprit for defensive woes this year.  We don't have anyone to guard the other teams best perimeter player.
• Rose gave interesting details/background for Worthington, Cannon, and Emery.  Very impressed by these players stories and difficulties that they overcame to be on the team.
• Jashire Hardnett is not cleared by team doctors to play.  Expects him back next week.  Hand injury.
• Managing the egos and emotions of today's college basketball athlete with the number of people in their ears today is a huge challenge.  One player on the team (not Hardnett) that told him last week that if he doesn't get more playing time he will transfer.  Came out of nowhere.

Overall, a really good speech from coach today and he handled the Q&A well with honesty and sincerity.  I'm wondering now if it's just a down year with some bad luck on team chemistry, injuries, and unexpected roster changes.  I'm still pretty worried about the past 2-3 year trajectory but I like what was said today at the lunch.