With a bye week and the Cougar basketball season getting ready to kick off next month now is a great time to take a quick overview. Coming off back to back outright MWC titles and an NCAA bid this years team's quest will look to three-peat. Last year's squad and season finished at 27-8 and returns reigning MWC Player Of The Year in Lee Cummard (who flirted with a possible stint in the NBA). Whew! That was close and soooo glad he came back. The talented team amassed the second most wins in Cougar history under two time MWC Coach Of The Year Dave Rose. Gone is Trent Plaisted (selected overall at 46th by the Pistons) and the backcourt duo of Ben Murdock and Sam Burgess. According to Coach Rose "This is a team our fans will enjoy following". Despite those losses this team has plenty of firepower, experience and have even added some talented newcomers that should help vault the Cougs to contend yet again for another conference title.Sophomore Jimmer Fredette (6.2/190) averaged 7 points in 18.5 minutes per game (played in all 35 games) while showing signs of the flash and excitement of what might be in store. With the ability to create his own shots and make sound decisions the potential is through the roof and definately will find some solid time in the rotation. Lamont Morgan (5.10/170 JR) redshirted last season is lightning quick with great ball handling skills. He comes into the season with what should be a firm grasp of Dave Rose's offense. Jackson Emery (6.3/175 SO) should definately be able to step in again to the system without losing a beat as a great defender and sharp shooter. Matt Pinegar (6.0/185 FR) was a McDonald's High School All American Nominee. Senior Archie Rose (6.5/205) didn't start playing basketball until his junior year of high school. Backups Michael Loyd (6.1/170 SO) , Rose, and Pinegar all of which should help provide added depth and valuable minutes off the bench.
Led by three year starter and all american candidate Lee "Clutch" Cummard (seems to be able to do it all in practically every statistical category available, might even sell popcorn during halftime and timeouts) will again provide valuable leadership and experience. Cummard (6.7/185 SR) has phenomenal ball handling skills, mental toughness, tenacity, superb shooting range, ability to rebound and finish amongst traffic. (Cummard photo credit Jaren Wilkey)
Recently this summer Jonathan Tavernari (6.6/215 JR) was selected for the Brazilian Olympic Team and played in the qualifying round in Athens. In 2007 Tavernari was named the MWC Freshman Of The Year. Jonathan average 13.1 ppg and 5.3rpg in the starting rotation. He has the capability to take a game over as a three point sharp shooter.
Hailing from Bartlesville Oklahoma Noah Hartstock (6.8/205 FR) comes in averaging 27.6 ppg as a senior for his high school team as a McDonald's High School All American nominee. Noah has some serious post moves, a sweet touch and stroke that could factor into some serious "PT" playing time and made an impact quickly. While back in the Logan High School days Charles Abouo was named the 3A player of the year averaging 21.1 ppg and 10.2 rpb. Last season pushing Brewster Academy to a 31-4 record Abouo (6.4/210 FR) refined those skills.
Former walk on Gavin MacGregor (6-10/235 SR) looks forward to returning from sitting out last season with a foot injury. Freshman James Anderson (6.10/220) averaged 17 ppg, 9 rpb and 6 bpg (set state record with 14 blocks in one game). Michael Boswell (6.9/220 FR) will help provide minutes off the bench. Boswell averaged 16.7 ppg and 7.5 prg for Aloha HS and was yet another McDonald's High School All American nominee on the Cougar roster. With Plaisted gone to the NBA the Cougars will look to two time 4A State MVP from Timpview High School Chris Miles (6.11/235 JR). He was rated as the #2 post player in the west coming out of high school. Miles runs the floor rather well and is an agile shot blocker.
Once again the Cougars will look to defend the home territory of the Marriott Center (houses 22,700 fans). Over the past 8 years BYU have posted a 111-10 record at home. Jimmy Dykes (ESPN basketball analyst) said "...they are unbeatable in the Marriott Center in Provo...I'm telling you what, the BYU student section has been ranked #1 in my book all season long out of all the places I've been. They are outstanding as a group". Cougar fans when those sneakers hit the court again get ready to rise and shout! Here's to a great season!
1 comment:
Man, I love BYU basketball. For my money there's no better month for sports than November. Football is in full swing, and basketball is just getting started. Expect me at every single BYU basketball home game this year.
I'm excited to see our team this year. Plaisted leaving was a huge blow, but I'll be anxious to see if our team can defend two MWC titles in a row. Cummard will be huge, as will JT, but I can't wait to see Emery get back in the swing of things.
Hartsock and Abuo are going to be huge this year too. And if Anderson is a shot-blocker, then he will add some much-needed defense to BYU's lineup.
All in all I'm not too worried about the drop off in post production with TP going to the pros. Miles will be solid in the middle, and as long as we trade Plaisted's offense for a little more defense from Miles, MacGreggor and Andersen I'll be fine with it.
Great post!
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