Johnson, who picked an early enrollment at Utah (11-4, 0-2) over Cal and a few others, said it's all just noise. As the 6-foot-11 forward decides if he'll be playing for the Utes this season, which would start the clock early on his eligibility, the decision is his to make.
Not that he doesn't feel others' influence, particularly that of coach Larry Krystkowiak.
"It's my call, honestly," he said. "But he can say some words and kind of persuade me."
The question this week is if Johnson must be persuaded. Sophomore forward Kyle Kuzma is day-to-day after injuring his tailbone on a hard fall against Cal.