either doesn't have a clue about hoop or is a wishful thinking BYU fan.

I just can't stop thinking about the potential for next year. Even with the loss of Andre the Utes are definitely up for another memorable March. In my estimation it is not unreasonable at all to predict the Utes in the Final Four. I'm already excited.

hi, i agree. however, we thought the same this year, so lets take it one step at a time. however, i also think that this year will prove a lasting memory for motivation to get much farther next year. what do you think?

I think the Utes learned from their early exit in the WAC tournament in 98, and that helped them this year. Come next March, the Utes will use last Sunday as a huge reminder throughout the tourney. I do agree that I must temper my enthusiasm. I am a firm believer in one game at a time, but the big picture looks most promising.

Fans remember most coaches never return to the Final Four, hope and pray our coach isn't one of those, it is the hardest thing to accomplish in sports. It is amazing to see the strides in the Utah program. i live in the east and it is finally being recognized as a power to be contended with, that in itself is a major accomplishment! You should all be proud of that fact.

Coach Majerus will have an excellent again next season, enjoy the ride! It will look different without andre but results will be favorable.

Although I do agree that the Utes will have great potential to go back to the final four, we must remember that we are losing essentially the greatest piece of the puzzle, Andre. He had carte blanche with Majerus and could direct the offense as he saw fit. That created problems for the opposing defense.

I see that we will yet again become a better *team* this next year like we did after KVH left. But this hinges upon a few things. Granted what I am about to say isn't nearly as daunting a task as was this year's task of incorporating new players, and dealing with Harvey while trying to teach the team how to play defense and learn the complicated offense. Next year's team won't have that big obstacle in their way, which is a good thing. It is much deeper and important than that.

1. Hanno's drive and motivation needs to Step it up, big time. If he were to come out and prove he is a big time baller, then we will be fine. It will be his offense and his team. He will be the leader, so he needs to add weight, work on his footwork on defense and his intensity & focus when the game is on the line.

2. Alex needs to keep being Alex, and maybe add a few more points to the average. I liked the Alex down the stretch of the season, he was very aggressive in the offensive set.

3. Nate Althoff will need to make a major break through on either the offensive or defensive end...preferable on the offensive end. If he were to work really hard on making himself on the premier shot blockers in the nation, or if he were to up his points to an average of 10 per game, then either one of those would make him a good post player. He can't just work half-assed on either...he needs to really focus.

4. Of course the point guard situation is going to be key. Harvey can't handle the point all the time, in my opinion. Going up against smaller PG's will give him fits. His ball handling skills make me nervous sometimes. Anyway, if Whiting or Colbert can come in and play steady ball...low turnovers, high assists and decent defense with the long range shot, that would be perfect. They don't need to lead the team in scoring, not this year, anyway. But they need to do a little bit of everything.

5. The reserves have to step in and play their role. I am least concerned with this because almost all of the reserves will know the Majerus system and know their role from last year, their Freshman year before their missions or from experience learning the ropes just out of high school.

If those 5 things can be achieved early on in the season, the Utes will be pretty tough to beat. They will be a deeper team, they will be able to give different looks to different teams. Jeff Johnson will be able to be a big defensive cog when Alex gets tired or go out with fouls. That was lacking in the Miami game. Anyway, our success depends upon these things...IMHO...any comments or flames?

LC

1. I'd like to see Hanno develop some effective post up scoring moves. He took alot of outside shots this year. Nobody really scored from the low block effectively this year. Hanno is the best candidate to step up and do that.

2. I love Alex! I don't think they need to run plays for him, because he is so effective moving without the ball and being the opportunist.

3. Like Hanno, Nate needs some post scoring moves. I saw a few scoring plays from him that were brilliant this year. He's definitely more agile than Doleac was. Nate will be adequate defensively if he stays in shape and keeps his head in the right place.

4. Harvey needs to look to get into the paint a bit more often and stop settling for three pointers. He's a decent shooter, but check out his toe whenever he steps up to the three-point line. His right foot is often turned directly inward. That can't be good.

5. I see next year's bench as having more talent, experience and depth than any previous squad. The bench for the past two years has been strictly freshmen and a JuCo.

I haven't seen the University of Utah's basketball team play without Andre Miller for years. With an injured Andre Miller against Miami, the Utes didn't look as tough as they were when he was healthy.

Utah ran it's entire offense through Andre. It's hard to switch those roles at the end of the season. And the whole team letting down didn't help much either. But you must agree that with 4 starters returning and an even better bench the Utes will definitely not take a step back. Remember, Gary Colbert (who is a very good point guard and better shooter than Andre) has been with the team all year. That will definitely help him step in come October.

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