We all heard Young last night say how much relationships matter. It makes sense that there are current players and recruits whom both Pope and Fueger forged some strong relationships with that make it understandable for them to follow those coaches to Kentucky.
At the same time, we can hold out some hope that Young can be effective in making connections with most of last year's roster and recruits who had committed to BYU and sell them on his vision and the NBA network he's already apart of and sway them back or keep them on board. And even if not, maybe he can attract better guys to replace them with that turn out to be upgrades for the program much like it's looking like Young himself may be an upgrade over Pope who we thought would be hard to replace with anyone as good or better.
And if not that, Young has a big reputation for player development. So maybe he can take some under-the-radar guys and develop them into some bona fide players that still compete and succeed at winning. And then the recruiting would surely pick up from there if it's doesn't happen immediately.
I'm excited. Go Cougs!