Playing for a Utah state title? Yes, please!

College hoops in the state of Utah is currently in the midst of some drastic changes.

BYU not only loses the most popular Mormon this side of Joseph Smith, Jr, but the Cougars are leaving the Mountain West for the WCC. Utah's changing conferences as well, heading to the newly-named Pac-12. Utah State hasn't left the WAC quite yet, but Nevada, Fresno State, and Boise State all have. The only constant is Weber State, who is a favorite to win the Big Sky next season.

Basketball fans in Utah are rabid which is part of what makes the rivalries between the in-state programs so intense. But with the changes in conference affiliation, there is no guarantee that these rivalries last. Take Utah and Utah State, for example. A game that has been played every season since 1944-1945 and 223 times since 1908 won't take place in the upcoming year. With the Utes moving to the Pac-12 an adding a couple of conference games, there isn't room for the Aggies, who were scheduled to play host the game this season. Utah is also apparently worried about scheduling tough, non-conference road games playing in a stronger (Is the Pac-12 actually going to be stronger than last year's MWC?) league.

BYU and Utah saved some face. The two schools signed a four-year contract guaranteeing that they would play each other once each year in mid-December. But mid-December games -- when the students may or may not be on campus -- don't really hold the same kind of intensity as conference rivals battling in late February.

But according to the Deseret News, Utah AD Chris Hill has some interesting ideas about how to keep the rivalries afloat:

As such, he's floated an idea with Utah Jazz officials and BYU athletics director Tom Holmoe about bringing the Utes, Cougars, Aggies and Weber State together at EnergySolutions Arena to start each season in an effort to build some excitement and allow the teams to play each other. The Utes are contractually committed to playing at Weber State in 2011, but there is no agreement between the Wildcats and Utes beyond this year.

Umm, YES!

This would be AWESOME!

Play a two-day tournament. Make the tournament be for the "state title". Put something on the line. You don't think that would pique the interest of fans? Being able to have state-wide bragging rights for an entire season? I would certainly watch it, and I live on the other side of the country.

Colleges don't capitalize on regional rivalries like this enough anymore. Indiana is trying to do it, as Butler, Notre Dame, IU, and Purdue are playing in the Crossroads Classic. But that is simply a double-header. Its not a tournament. As everyone knows, tournaments are always more fun than regular games.

So take advantage of this, Utah!

You could build yourself a marquee event in December, something that you don't see often in college hoops.