J.J. O'Brien, who became a major factor in the Utes' 2010-11 season as a true freshman, is likely not to return to the Utah program. Though nothing is official and he certainly could change his mind, O'Brien has already tripped to UNLV and by all accounts, that visit went extremely well.

Losing O'Brien would be pretty difficult for Larry Krsytkowiak, who is desperately trying to prevent the many defections Utah basketball has seen since the firing of Jim Boylen. Unfortunately, much of that appears to be in vain at the moment. But O'Brien would take the defections to an entirely new level, since he, of all the potential returning players, had the most potential.