From Deseret News archives:
X plus Y equals many things in common
Only once in its history has it advanced as far as the Elite Eight. It is often referred to by a single alphabetical letter.
That would be BYU, right?
Yes and no.
It would also be Xavier University, the Cougars' opponent in today's first round NCAA Tournament game.
Nothing like meeting your long lost twin after all these years.
Once again Xavier and BYU are in the postseason, trying to make their names or rather remake them. Both have put numerous players in the NBA, and both have been on the national radar at times. Xavier has been ranked in the AP poll in six of the past 10 seasons; BYU has been ranked in the AP poll in 15 different seasons. Both have won a national championship but not the NCAA title. Xavier won the NIT in 1958, back when it was the premier college tournament; BYU won in 1951 and 1966.
Both play in a so-called mid-major conference BYU in the Mountain West, Xavier in the Atlantic 10 so they get middle-or-lower seedings most years. Each won its regular season title but lost in the conference tournament this year.
So there you have it the Battle of the Chromosomes.
Although it has been 26 years since BYU went to the Elite Eight, many of the same questions arise repeatedly: What's the story with the two-year missions; what is BYU's stance on African-Americans; is having 24-year-old players an advantage?
"Every city we go, we answer the same questions and I feel like I do the same press conference after every game," said Cougar guard Austin Ainge. "Every fan, every person at church or school, all ask the same questions. I feel like I've had to answer the same questions a million times."
"We're so different," explained BYU coach Dave Rose. "Every time, there are new (media) people from different markets or new people in the same markets."
Just last week Rose conducted a similar interview with the New York Times and fielded similar questions.
"We're unique to college basketball," he added.
But not necessarily that unique.
Comments
- Haws playing like a veteran 12:36 a.m.
- Hot Rod behind mic for Lakers 12:35 a.m.
- Jazz go up against 'the best' 12:33 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:26 a.m.
- Bobcats stun high-flying Nuggets 12:23 a.m.
- Utes finally get to host Michigan 12:18 a.m.
- Flash apologize, offer refund 12:12 a.m.
- Editorial: Leave the economy alone 12:12 a.m.
- Dishonest global warming scientists 12:12 a.m.
- Tensions in Ceuta 12:12 a.m.
- BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
- Snow brings big chill
- Yet again, we learn BCS is a big joke
- Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
- Cougars in better mood about bowl
- Ranking the bowl games
- Williams' late jumper tops Spurs
- Expert calls Mitchell delusional
- $2M error could mean layoffs
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
278 - Letters: Global warming a lie
214 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
205 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
165 - Cougars going back to Vegas
148 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
143 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
110 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
99 - Revive full food tax?
94
Most college students can't wait for this week to be over at Utah State...
It will be good to hear "real play by play or even as analyst with Joel...
i hope hot rod gets confused while doing the play by play and thinks he's...
The BCS bowl team match-ups aren't what you think. First, yes the top two...
Even Ed Gein was found competant to stand trial.
So Bronco's okay with the churches "standard bearers" spewing hatred. Wierd....
By putting TCU & Boise together that means that the other 3 BCS games will...
Ticky... Tacky...
The DNews requests the lists from the region coaches. Ask your coaches why...
This story brings back memories of an Ogden base ball team, who promiced if a...
GO UTES!!!



You can be the first to comment on this story.