Another viewpoint on what could happen if Burgess and Kapono sign with Utah.
I credit a little bit of this to Matt who helped me clarify some of the thoughts.
But per Matt's prior request - if you don't like what I wrote he didn't have anything to do with it!!
There has been a ton of posts about what the Utah Roster will be like and what they will do if they sign Kapono, Burgess and Meads. I think the enthusiasm is terrific. But just because a team signs potentially great players doesn't mean it WILL work or it WON'T cause problems. As Matt Smith stated below, he's concerned about how well Kapono would fit here. I can see all of his points happening. I also can see a dramatic change in the roster and team chemistry. That' why I'm posting this note.
One important point to be remember here, playing time to players at the level of Utah is important, in some cases very important. That was one of the driving forces behind Andy Slocum's decision to go to Texas A & M.
Let's assume for a minute that Burgess, Whiting and Kapono all sign with Utah and Judkins goes to byu. Not unrealistic possibilities. Look at what could happen to the roster in the future…
Kapono plays the 3 spot behind Jensen. Jeff Johnson is supposed to play the 2 behind Harvey and Jacobson. There would be no room at the 3 behind Jensen and Kapono.
With Nick Jacobson and Kapono in the program next year and his brother the following year, Jeff Johnson will never start at Utah. In fact his playing time could be less his junior and senior years than his sophomore. Throw in the fact his favorite assistant coach is now down the road at byu. Jeff can be a good player and he knows it. Is winning so important to him that he'll take less PT just to be on a perennial NCAA tourney team? It wouldn't be a surprise if he transferred to another school because of the roster road block.
Phil Cullen came to Utah as a 4 with the promise that after Hanno graduates his junior and senior years would be his. He has worked hard to become a better player. But an outsider, Chris Burgess is now in the program. And lets all agree that he is good as advertised. He's a 4 and he would start (and get the majority of his minutes there) his two years at Utah. So suddenly Cullen goes from a player who has worked hard to be the man at the 4 spot to a BACKUP (and reduced minutes) his whole career. Phil Cullen will be a very good college player, and soon. Is his loyalty to Utah so strong that he will take a back seat to Mottola this year AND Burgess for two years after that? Throw in the fact that his good friend Tyson Johnston is told to leave the program. It would make sense for him to transfer to a school like Gonzaga and at least get 2 years as a starter, be a major contributor and be happy with his situation.
The Cullen/Burgess situation is HUGE. If Burgess signs with Utah he pushes Cullen into a reserve role his entire time at Utah. Cullen paid his dues and then the coach brings in an outsider over him. How does Rick answer this recruiting question in the future. "Coach Majerus I want to come to Utah, but how do I know you won't bring in a transfer to start in front of me after I have been here a couple of years?" A tough question to answer.
The 2000-2001 Season.
Look at what Britton Johnson could see when he returns in a year from his mission. His sophomore year he is going to be the starter at the 3 spot. Whoops! Jason Kapono is there and is a sophomore so he'll share time there. Heck he can play some 2! But if does that then Jeff will really have his PT cut. The new guy Jacobson is good and has too play too. And what is this with Judkins at byu! I though he was a Ute for life. He is too good not to see 35 minutes a game, so other players will pay the price. A ton of changes while he was gone. So this is the cost of winning?
Garner Meads....
The signing of Chris Burgess and Judkins going
to byu would all but seals Meads going to Stanford or anther non-Utah school.
If he would play at Utah his freshman year Burgess is a junior along with
Cullen so he sits. The he leaves for a mission for 2 years. So why waste
a full year at Utah not playing? He won't he'll go some place that he gets
a shot at playing.
Jon Carlisle....
This may be a reach. But I was never sold on
Carlisle being a Ute totally. And there were enough rumors floating around
that he was not HAPPY at the way Rick used him at the end of the year and
in the NCAAs. He went to Utah only when Reid was fired. He stated he didn't
like what was going on down at byu and decided to go to Utah because it
was more stable. When he returns, Judkins is gone, he'll get backup PT
at the center spot his first year back and he sees Jeff Johnson and Britton
fighting for PT, his buddy Trace Caton (see below) at the end of a long
line for playing time. This isn't what I left and is it where I want to
finish my career?
Trace Caton...
Rick loves his game and heart and I do too. But
with Jacobson, Jeff Johnson and Britton on the roster along with the others
he'll never see 10 minutes a game. Why stay? He can transfer and have three
seasons as a starter at another good school.
Now add it all up. Great additions with Burgess and Kapono. A major upgrade in talent.
But the domino effect could be huge. Jeff Johnson could transfer. Garner Meads would be out of the Utah picture. Trace Caton would be a strong candidate to leave also. Jon Carlisle might look else if he doesn't like the situation. How would Britton react IF his brother and Juddie aren't at Utah when he returns? And Phil Cullen can't be a happy camper having Chris Burgess brought in over him. He deserves better.
There comes a time that if enough players are asked to leave, forced out of the program or transfer, that questions start getting asked by recruits and players. Utah may NOT be that far away from having that happen.
Majerus teams have always had good to great chemistry and everyone knew their roles. Now the possibility exists that the Utah roster will be full of players who should start for Utah. What happens to the chemistry? Will players fill their roles? How many players will leave? What will this do to instate recruiting? What happens if Hunsiker doesn't hit it off with the players as Juddie did? Bringing in 2 big time players could hurt more than it helps.
Sometimes getting all of what you want ends up making a mess of what you already have.
Utah Rick
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