It's got to be a little of both, I think.
I hope eventually we figure out the NIL payment scheme and maybe some of the new stuff coming down will help equal the recruiting game.
But to have a great team that contends you have to have A STUD, typically. Still might not win it all, just like Duke didn't, but they had the POTY and a great supporting cast, which I think is an ideal formula.
Mark becoming a star was really gravy. We never expected that when he came in as a transfer. Same with Herb a few years before. Yeah, you will occasionally get lucky and have that guy become 'THE GUY but it's pretty rare.
But, I think to play for the top prize regularly we need to land a top player almost every year.
Yeah, you can put together a team of low profile guys (3 and 4 star guys that are really good college players), but who's going to be the "go to guy?"
We've got to be able to recruit the bona fide star for those moments. Brandon Miller was that guy. To a lesser extent, Colin Sexton was.
I think that's the recipe. A star surrounded by a great supporting cast!
It's why I was so diappointed we missed last year on A.J. Dybantsa. I think he's ours without BYU $$$.