Been exercising restraint because i don't know whether he is considering BYU. But i think because basketball is his priority, because he wants to be great, because he is a grad transfer ready to lead a great team like BYU to a 30 win season, because he has been recruited by Pope once, and because he grew up with a serious religious background, we have a decent chance.

Brandon Averette has been underrated all of his life, probably because he is short. He was entirely unranked through his junior year in HS despite leading one of the strongest teams in the Nation to a 30 win season. Finally, after another brilliant year as a senior, 247 gave him 3 stars. After a brief engagement with Stephen Austin, he signed with Oklahoma State. Looking for a place where he could lead, he found Mark Pope at UVU.

Hope he knows that in Pope he had found the coach that will bring out the greatness that a few of us know is inside of him.

None of us, especially Pope, can make any guarantees, but IMO this guy is the complete PG package. He has many of the best qualities of TJ Haws and Jake Toolson. He won't be as spectacular as Matt McClung but when interviewed, he talks about leading the team to wins. He is the kind of PG an exceptional team needs.

Averette has brains, court vision, unselfishness, drive, good judgement, the passion to lead, and an outside shot. The latter hasn't really been demonstrated since high school. Though his 3 point shot last year was as good as Kobe's, that is not nearly good enough for BYU. 32% won't do. But comfort and confidence means a lot and i think Brandon can/will shoot in the 40s from the arc next year under Pope. Plus, as everyone knows, he has elite quickness, hops, and handles.

If BYU gets Averette, and the top 8 guys remain healthy, they have an excellent shot to knock off Gonzaga.