How quickly things change in the world of college basketball.

Just a few days ago, there appeared to be quite a few reasons to be optimistic about the future of BYU men’s basketball.

Sure, the Cougars didn’t take the world by storm in the NCAA Tournament but it looked like most of the core guys would be back. Early guesses at the polls for 2024-25 had BYU ranked as high as No. 10.

That’s pretty much torpedoed now, isn’t it?

And, no, I don’t blame Mark Pope for it.

The fault simply lies with this being how things are done in college sports these days.

Pope always had a special place for Kentucky in his heart and the opportunity to potentially give back to the university certainly was irresistible. The reported $5.5 million he will be making per year didn’t hurt either, but I honestly don’t think money was his main reason for going.

Will he succeed at meeting the sky-high expectations at Kentucky? Or will he end up moving on in a few years because it didn’t work out?

Only time will answer those questions and really they are only of passing interest to BYU hoops fans.

The much bigger question is what will happen to their beloved Cougars now?

As it always does, Pope’s decision set of a flurry of activity and speculation.

BYU guard Dallin Hall and center Aly Khalifa are already in the transfer portal as of Friday afternoon and the consensus is that others may join them.

They (along with other current Cougar players) might be headed to join Pope in Lexington, Kentucky, just like Jake Toolson joined Pope at BYU after he left UVU.

It’s not unusual for players to want to stay with the same head coach, but the BYU factor can change the equation somewhat. Some athletes come to Provo because they want the experience they will get at the university owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, not in spite of it.

Everyone can speculate about what the Cougar squad will look like when it takes the floor next November, but by far the most likely reality is that it will look significantly different than it did a month ago.

Much of that will be the responsibility of the next BYU head coach, whether it is one of the names many people have been tossing around or someone unexpected.

I would’ve enjoyed working with Mark Madsen again, but he seems happy and dedicated to his current job at Cal.

I could see former or current BYU assistants like Chris Burgess, Cody Fueger or Nick Robinson providing continuity if they hired, but there are no guarantees that would be a game-changer for the players who are deciding to stay or go.

Cougar director of athletics Tom Holmoe has a tough job in finding a replacement, but I certainly doubt this caught him by surprise. He’s been down these roads before and generally found solid replacements, so I’m find giving him the benefit of the doubt.

But I think Cougar fans should expect it to take time.

Yes, there is the example of Danny Sprinkle arriving just up the road at Utah State, bringing his some of his guys and putting together an excellent season (including an NCAA Tournament win) before he moved on.

That’s the exception, though, not the rule — although I wouldn’t mind be proven wrong.

A lot will happen between now and next season, but this happens at institutions across the country. UVU did it just last year, losing basically its entire roster.

But I’m confident BYU will emerge with a competitive program moving forward.

Whoever the next coach is will get players to buy in to coming to Provo, to playing in front huge crowds of supportive fans at home and on the road. The facilities are good, the competition is excellent and the opportunities will be there for players to develop and eventually play pro basketball.

None of those things are changing because Pope left. The Cougars will be fine eventually.

It’s just going to require a reset first.

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