Kemery Congdon, a standout guard from Utah's high school basketball scene, is making a highly anticipated homecoming to the Beehive State. After a successful collegiate career that took her to the University of Utah and Cal, Congdon will don the blue and white of BYU for her final season, reuniting with her family and joining a young Cougars squad eager to make their mark in the Big 12 Conference.

A Prodigal Daughter's Homecoming

Embracing the Familiar and the New

Kemery Congdon's decision to transfer to BYU for her final collegiate season was driven by a desire to return to her roots. As the Deseret News' 2019 Ms. Basketball, Congdon's name is already etched in the annals of Utah basketball history. Now, she's poised to write the next chapter of her story, this time as a Cougar."With my last year of playing, one of the bigger things was just coming home," Congdon said during the Big 12 media days. "I love being around. I'm a big family person, so to have my family be able to be involved was huge for me."Congdon's homecoming, however, is not just a sentimental journey. She's also eager to be a part of the Cougars' ambitious plans under head coach Amber Whiting. "Talking to Amber and just, you know, what she's got on the team, what she's got going, what they're looking for, it's definitely something I want to be a part of," Congdon added.

A Veteran Presence Amid Youth

BYU's roster has undergone a significant transformation, with the departure of four starters from last season, including the dominant Lauren Gustin and promising freshman Kailey Woolston. Into this youthful mix steps Congdon, a seasoned veteran who brings a wealth of experience from her time at Utah and Cal."Kemery brings experience to the team, and we need that with being so young," Whiting acknowledged. The Cougars' head coach is counting on Congdon's steady presence to guide the team's newcomers, which include four transfers and five freshmen.Congdon's ability to "calm people down" and provide a "cool, collective head" will be invaluable as the Cougars navigate the challenges of their inaugural Big 12 campaign. Her leadership and composure will be crucial in shaping the team's identity and helping the young squad reach its full potential.

A Sharpshooting Addition to the Backcourt

Congdon's arrival at BYU also brings a much-needed scoring punch to the Cougars' backcourt. The 32.7% career 3-point shooter has demonstrated her prowess from beyond the arc, knocking down 59 triples two seasons ago and 40 last year at Cal.Whiting's emphasis on increasing the team's 3-point attempts aligns perfectly with Congdon's skill set. "Sign me up. I'm there," Congdon enthusiastically declared, eager to contribute to the Cougars' new offensive identity.Congdon's shooting ability will complement the playmaking of Amari Whiting, the coach's daughter, who emerged as a standout freshman last season. The duo's complementary skills and experience will create a formidable backcourt duo, one that opposing defenses will have to account for.

A New Chapter, a Renewed Passion

Kemery Congdon's journey has taken her from the familiar confines of Utah to the Bay Area and back again. But as she embarks on her final collegiate season, she's embracing the opportunity to start a new chapter, both on and off the court.Congdon's recent marriage to Brandon Congdon has added a new layer of personal fulfillment to her life. "It's been a good change, and definitely what I needed, and it's super refreshing," she said of her newfound marital bliss.With a renewed sense of purpose and a deep connection to her roots, Kemery Congdon is poised to make an indelible mark on BYU's basketball program. Her homecoming is not just a sentimental journey, but a chance to showcase her talents and lead a young Cougars squad to new heights in the competitive Big 12 landscape.

As the college basketball season tips off next week, the landscape of the sport is undergoing a significant transformation. The financial dynamics driving conference realignment and the impact on smaller leagues like the Sun Belt Conference are poised to take center stage as March Madness approaches.

Chasing the Almighty Dollar: The Expansion Frenzy of the Big Leagues

College football realignment has become a high-stakes game, with the Big Ten and SEC leading the charge. These powerhouse conferences are not content with just dominating the gridiron; they have their sights set on basketball's lucrative revenue streams as well. By expanding their reach and securing more bids to the NCAA Tournament, these behemoths aim to maximize their financial gains.The logic is straightforward: the more teams from your league that make the Big Dance, the more money they can generate. This pursuit of basketball money has led to a flurry of conference realignment, as the big leagues seek to consolidate their dominance and leave smaller conferences scrambling to maintain their relevance.

The Sun Belt's Uphill Battle: Maximizing the Cinderella Potential

For smaller conferences like the Sun Belt, the financial equation is vastly different. With only one automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament, these leagues must rely on their best teams to pull off March Madness upsets to generate revenue. Cinderella stories captivate the nation, but they need to happen at the right time to maximize their financial impact.To address this challenge, the Sun Belt Conference has unveiled a staggered bracket format for its conference tournament. This system heavily favors the top seeds, making it an arduous task for lower-seeded teams to reach the NCAA Tournament. While there is merit in rewarding regular-season excellence, the Sun Belt's format has drawn criticism for its extreme imbalance.

The West Coast Conference's Trailblazing Approach

The Sun Belt's format is not entirely unprecedented, as the West Coast Conference has already adopted a similar system. In this model, the top seeds are given a significant advantage, with Gonzaga only needing to win two games to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.This approach highlights the delicate balance that smaller conferences must strike between rewarding regular-season performance and preserving the potential for Cinderella stories. While the financial incentives may drive these leagues to favor the top teams, the allure of the underdog narrative remains a powerful draw for fans and media alike.

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities

As the college basketball landscape continues to shift, smaller conferences like the Sun Belt face a daunting challenge. They must find ways to remain competitive and generate revenue in the face of the Big Ten and SEC's relentless expansion. The Sun Belt's staggered bracket format is a bold attempt to address this issue, but it remains to be seen whether it will strike the right balance between rewarding regular-season excellence and preserving the potential for Cinderella stories.The college basketball season is poised to be a captivating one, with the financial dynamics driving conference realignment taking center stage. As the big leagues continue to flex their muscles, the smaller conferences must adapt and innovate to carve out their own path to success. The Sun Belt's approach may be a harbinger of things to come, as the battle for basketball's financial spoils intensifies in the years ahead.