My knowledge of the BYU team is admittedly low this year, but I did hear all the hype leading up to your returning Lone Peak kids and of course have seen this team referred to as a future Final 4 team by some fans. I've watched them once this year, against Weber State. Maybe I looked at them with red goggles on or maybe they simply need a year or two to hit full potential but what I saw was a group of kids that didn't really impress me anymore than Utah has. My exact thought was: "This is the group that Coach K was allegedly afraid of facing this year in Provo"?
Another question, does the state of Utah produce the goofiest looking basketball players in the nation? Back in the Majerus days, its seemed like all the in-state kids came straight out of "The Hills Have Eyes", and it looks like BYU's 2016 squad is no different. Seriously, that's the ugliest basketball team I've ever seen. Ever. Especially that Haws kid. Every time I'd glance at my TV and his face was on the screen I would get startled.
Ya they were, and still are, very hyped. But its for good reason. The lone peak 3 were all very very good high school players.
TJ haws teams won 4 straight state titles (was a starter all 4 years as well). He is probably the most successful utah high school player of all time.
Eric Mika was fanstastic as a freshman and is tearing it up this season (there is talk of him leaving after this year. I dont think it will happen but his play so far opens up the possibility)
Nick Emery was really really good last year. He has been very disappointing this season.
One of those years with all three guys on lone peak iirc they were one of the top teams in the entire nation.
Yoeli Childs was a very good high school player as well (I believe he was the #1 rated player in utah last year) and has been very good so far this year.
Elijah bryant is another guy who I have heard is supposed to be quite good though i know very little about him or why he had any hype.
Payton Daystrup is supposed to be pretty darn good too but is out of shape after coming off his mission.
I think that in the future this team should be really really good. Final 4 is too lofty of an expectation imo but they should definitely win a few ncca tourney games in the coming years.
This year they are not ready. Too young.
The roster consists of: Junior, freshman, sophomore, freshman, freshman, senior, sophomore, freshman, junior, freshman, junior, freshman, sophomore, senior, sophomore. So only two seniors and neither one are considered one of their top players.
Plus a handful of them are coming off missions and getting back into shape and shaking off the rust.
I thought they would be better than they are currently but definitely expected some growing pains.
And regarding their appearance..... They are a really ugly group. TJ haws is as ugly as it gets. His face, body, hair, everything. Eric mika looks mentally challenged. Nick emery has a horrible widows peak and elf ears. Payton daystrup has the worst haircut i have ever seen and looks kinda like sloth from goonies plus he is fat.
Definitely a motley crew of ugly dudes.