When I read this mornings article in the trib, I had these thoughts: (1) Meads did not come away from the Utah visit convinced that Utah is the right place for him; (2) I am very nervous about his unofficial visit to BYU next weekend; and (3) was his quote about wanting Majerus, Stanford and the BYU atmosphere an attempt to say something positive about all schools or something more? Being objective, I can understand Meads' comment.

Of the three schools, Stanford is on top when it comes to solely academic considerations, Majerus is on top when coaches are considered, but what is the BYU atmosphere?

When I first read this I thought some one this board might criticize Meads and his religious beliefs for seeing positives in the BYU atmosphere. In all honesty, I believe it has very little (if anything at all) to do with religion.

Meads is smart enough to know that he can find people with his religious beliefs at all three schools and in all three communities. What it comes down to is the attitude of the studentbody towards the university in general and the athletic program specifically. Meads has undoubtedly attended football and basketball games at both Utah and BYU.

In football, the support provided by the respective studentbodies is not comparable. BYU students pay money to fill Cougar stadium to the tune of 20-25k per game. Utah students, on the other hand, leave 50-60% of free seats empty. Unfortunately, basketball is not much better. One would think that given the stature of the respective programs, Utah students would be clamoring for tickets. However, the student section is rarely more than 70% full. BYU student have had nothing to cheer about in recent years, and I cannot estimate the numbers, but I am sure that when BYU again becomes a contender, the student section will be full. I really cannot comment on Stanford's student support, because I have never been to a game their. However, the attendance figures from Stanford football and basketball games are not impressive.

When considering these things, I can understand meads comment. I just hope that a great coach counts most.

(2) I am very nervous about his unofficial visit to BYU next weekend

I too am nervous about an "unofficial" visit. Is Juddy able to do on-campus recruiting with Meads because of this? If so, will this be the first test of what Juddy will bring to the Y when it comes to recruiting in-state LDS recruits?

Not to sound like a raging Ute (which I am) I can't fathom considering all that he might want in both his academics and athletics why the Y would become a legit consideration. My wife graduated from the Y, it is a great school and wonderful campus. Strictly from a bias opinion the basketball program at the Y will find it difficult to attain or match the accomplishments that the U has had recently. Majerus is a well-respected coach throughout the land who is now getting the attention as somebody who can take players to the next level. Even if I was a Coog fan (which I once was in my dark childhood :-)) and I thought that I could make it to the show I would choose Majerus or Montgomery over an unproven JC coach. To heck with the "BYU atmosphere"

Go Utes!

The first test was Whitting. LDS, BYU wanted him, played for Juddy's brother.

The second test was Burgess. LDS, previously interested in BYU. He chose Utah because Rick is the best big man coach in the game. I heard no mention of Juddy in any of his interviews or statements.

The third test was Jeff johnsen. LDS, Juddy played key role in bringing him him.
Nabbing Jeff would also put us in jeopardy of losing Britton.

I don't see Meads going to BYU. I suspect he is just being polite, with Cleveland being such a nice guy and all.

Juddy's "big" grab will likely come when (and if) Carlile opts to go the the Y.
 

There are two reasons in my mind which might neutralize Juddy's effectiveness at the Y, one near term and one terminal.

Near Term: The Y's program still lags far behind a respectable program. The LDS athletes like Jeff and Britton and Burgess, know that this is the program to go to. (other than perhaps Stanford, but we aren't including them in this.) The program will have to get better before Juddy can increase his effectiveness.

Terminal: The coaching style of Cleveland is probably nowhere near as abraisive as Majerus'. This means that the players won't necessarily NEED Juddy to help smooth over the bumps along the way. That contrast of styles seems to be one catalyst for the friendship between Juddy and the players at the U. Plus most of the coaching staff down there is LDS, unlike at the U. There will be more resources for the LDS players to turn to for guidance than just Juddy. His influence could be diluted by Coach Cleveland and his other assistants.

Anyway, those are just a few thoughts on this subject.

I hope you are wrong, but fear you may be right. Judkins stood out to the LDS kids at the U, at the Y he is another Mormon. This is not to downplay his ability to communicate and develop a relationship with the players, but it is definitely a different environment.

Meads is the fist test of the impact that Juddy has on LDS players
As a BYU fan let me give my point of view on the players that Ute Bear listed.

: The first test was Whitting. LDS, BYU wanted him, played for Juddy's brother.

I could be wrong but I thought Whitting had already committed to the U before Juddy left.

: The second test was Burgess. LDS, previously interested in BYU. He chose Utah because Rick is the best big man coach in the game. I heard no mention of Juddy in any of his interviews or statements.

Burgess wasn't going to transfer to BYU and I didn't think BYU tried to get him when he was transferring. There are too many old wounds there.

: The third test was Jeff johnsen. LDS, Juddy played key role in bringing him him. Nabbing Jeff would also put us in jeopardy of losing Britton.

I don't see players like Jeff and Britton jumping ship. They know what they had in Utah. Why would they look to BYU just because a assist. left. If they sat the beanch for a year before their mission and don't see things getting better, I could see them looking elsewhere.

: I don't see Meads going to BYU. I suspect he is just being polite, with Cleveland being such a nice guy and all.

BYU wasn't on Meads list until Juddy left. Just because Meads is looking at BYU shows the Juddy has helps BYU.

: Juddy's "big" grab will likely come when (and if) Carlile opts to go the the Y.

The whole thing with Carlile committing and them saying the letter was lost in the mail and then signing with Utah, has made some people at BYU not want him even if he begged. He kind of burned his bridges with BYU. Most of those people are gone now. But I still don't see Carlile coming to BYU unless he see's no future at Utah for him. Not because of Juddy.

I meant that if Meads really wants to take advantage of his basketball and academics at one time, then Stanford and Utah should be the front runners.

The situation takes on 3 different scenarios which Garner wished were composited in one school. This I read in the Tribune online article and I am applying my own spin to.

He wishes that the schools had

1)Majerus as the coach (so much for the fear of Rick Majerus!).
2) Stanford's academics ( That would be tough to match.)
3) BYU's atmosphere. Whatever that means. I guess his religion is really important to his future.

Now every school has a good atmosphere when experienced. Utah's is a good deal closer than Stanford. Only one school has Majerus as coach. Utah also has an excellent medical school. Utah rates very high here.

Now if scholastics are Garner's #1 then Stanford wins hands down. If Basketball looms in his future then Utah rules, because of Majerus and Mead's nameing him has his preferred coach. Now if he is going to college for the atmosphere.....well that is probably the least important reason and the easiest to replace.

However if atmosphere is the most important to him, then I wish him luck and I think his priorities may be a little bit skewed.

The Utes have an excellent chance.....but anything could happen. However I can live with it if he goes elsewhere but I would much rather see him here.

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