BYU basketball: Supporting cast stepping up for Cougs
Even though he and co-captain Jonathan Tavernari are scoring about the same, right around 18.5 points per game, Cummard is still the one opposing teams try to stop and the one that BYU calls on in key times. When BYU calls a timeout on must-score possessions, a play is usually drawn up for Cummard to get the shot normally a turn-around jumper from his favorite spot just to the left or right of the key.
It was Cummard handling the ball in the final minute against Tulsa on Tuesday when the Hurricane was mounting a late charge, and it was Cummard who made 5-of-6 free throws down the wire to seal the tough road win. In helping the Cougars to an 11-1 season mark, Cummard has also had many key rebounds, steals and defensive stops.
Opposing coaches knew, when Cummard chose to return to BYU for his senior season, that the smooth game the 6-foot-7 star brings every night makes the Cougars a team to reckon with. What those same coaches didn't realize, however, was how good of chemistry BYU has with its other four starters.
"That is a very good college basketball team," Tulsa coach Doug Wojcik said following the Hurricane's loss Tuesday to BYU, a loss that snapped Tulsa's 18-game home winning streak.
Wojcik was especially complimentary of Tavernari and Fredette. He said Tavernari, who plays the four spot, is tough for any typical power forward to guard because of his quickness, ball-handling abilities, threat as a deep shooter and because of his movement around the basket.
"He's the difference-maker for them. He really is," Wojcik said. "He's going to be a tough match-up for any team."
He called Fredette a "strong" point guard who is great at getting to the basket and getting off shots against bigger and quicker defenders. He felt Fredette's big second half Tuesday, in which he scored 11 of his 13 points, was the real back-breaker for Tulsa.
"He's kind of a poor man's Deron Williams," Wojcik said.
Recent comments
Chao Plaistead. After hearing comments from some of the team this...
Slingblade | Jan. 2, 2009 at 8:12 a.m.
I've watched BYU play this year and they are solid. They remind me...
Wildcat Insider | Jan. 2, 2009 at 7:50 a.m.
Not having seen the Cougars play this year, I really enjoyed watching...
wer | Jan. 1, 2009 at 3:22 p.m.
- U. hopes to keep clicking 8:28 p.m.
- Steelers lead Broncos at halftime 8:13 p.m.
- Jazz win in N.Y. for 1st time since '04 8:02 p.m.
- Suns outlast 76ers, 119-115 7:51 p.m.
- Quilt auction aims to benefit lives 7:44 p.m.
- Eating fruit not a cause of weight gain 7:44 p.m.
- Charcoal, cat-box filler help with odors 7:44 p.m.
- Wife and friend are too close 7:44 p.m.
- 'Brain' seems scattered 7:44 p.m.
- Locklear at 'Melrose Place' again 7:44 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Prep girls soccer MVPs named
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- GOP blasts Matheson after vote
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
269 - House passes health care bill
225 - Lobo suspended
180 - TCU showdown has big implications
177 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
112 - Thousands protest health bill
110 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
94
Congrats Kealia this is so cool you have great things a head of you keep on...
Bennett is a conservative, BWAHAHA... I needed a good laugh.. thanks
They only avg 64% capacity!!! I think Utah St has a higher percentage!!
thou dost protest too much. LOL to the likes of "No Big Deal", "Really...
The Big Dog is coming to town! BYU fan: Pay close attention, Saturday....
the National Stage Question: When was the last time Utah has finished in...
I love it when people who have not watched the Utes post comments like they...
Clare... Fox is too busy *Hating* President Obama to tell the truth.
Mark my words the Utes will beat TCU by 7 points and murder the team down...
"The D.C. Police estimated the tea partiers in Washington numbered in the...

