BYU hoops caught up in the uncertainty

I, like many of you, am assessing how the uncertainty and possibilities for BYU’s conference affiliation or independence is going to affect the Cougars basketball program. There might be some fallout. And honestly, I’m not sure coach Dave Rose is jumping for joy at what might lie ahead for his program. We don’t know, however, because BYU athletic officials are not talking while they iron out the university’s future, and it seems like coaches have been told to remain mum.
I think the Mountain West Conference had its strongest showing ever on the national college basketball scene last season. BYU was certainly a big part of that, and the prospect of seeing all those years of steady progress go to waste after this next season could be a little discouraging. The WAC that BYU almost became a part of, in my opinion, would have been a slight drop in prestige for BYU hoops than the current MWC, and would have required a couple of steady years of proving its balance and power to get up to the MWC’s level. The Cougars certainly would have moved that along.
Remaining in the MWC certainly would not be a bad thing for BYU basketball. But we all know that what’s going on right now is driven by the revenue that independence in football would bring. Officials are probably just trying to make sure any move doesn’t leave too much collateral damage to the other sports.
Joining the West Coast Conference would give the Cougars two games each year with nationally respected Gonzaga, so that might be an acceptable move. But I still don’t think the WCC’s other schools compare to the UNLVs, New Mexicos or San Diego States.
In the coming days I’m sure we’ll know more, and hopefully Rose and others will be allowed, and be willing, to say more. One thing you can bet on, whatever conference future lies ahead, all of BYU’s athletic programs will try to make the best of the situation, and will probably only look at the positives.

Here’s an article from Sports Illustrated’s Andy Glockner on his view of the state of BYU basketball.
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Here’s a story on Rose’s role as an ambassador in the fight against cancer from Spokane.
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