Y.'s Rose makes his debut tonight

PROVO — As the BYU basketball team opens the 2005-06 season, it is in a much different place than it was a year ago, both literally and figuratively.

Last November, the Cougars, who were coming off a 21-9 season and an NCAA Tournament appearance, opened the season amid the balmy climes of Hawaii in the prestigious Maui Invitational, where they suffered a humiliating 86-50 loss to North Carolina. While BYU struggled all year, the Tar Heels ended up winning the national championship.

This year, the Cougars, who are coming off a 9-21 campaign and a coaching change, face Loyola Marymount tonight (7 p.m.) at the Marriott Center. The game will mark the head coaching debut of Dave Rose, who replaced Steve Cleveland last spring. There's no telling how the season will end, but this much is certain: under Rose, there's a new approach to the game, an influx of new players and a new attitude.

"We have so many new guys that it's a very different feel from last year's team," said junior guard Austin Ainge. "Different style, different coach, different players. It's different and hopefully we'll have different results."

The Cougar roster includes four returning starters (Ainge, forward Keena Young, forward Jimmy Balderson and center Derek Dawes); two solid veterans (guard Mike Rose and guard Brock Reichner); four newcomers (guard Rashaun Broadus, guard Lee Cummard, guard Jackson Emery and forward Fernando Malaman) and returning redshirts (centers Trent Plaisted and David Burgess). The additions to the squad are expected to make a major impact.

Only Ainge, Young, Balderson, Dawes, Rose and Reichner have played in a Division I game. How quickly can the new players adapt to the higher level of competition?

"One thing about new players is that after five or six games, it's pretty much the same," said Rose, who was a BYU assistant for eight years before being promoted. "But getting through those first five or six games is kind of grind for them to realize how much preparation goes into making sure your game plan is executed properly. Once they get that down, you see the players relax and be a lot more effective."

There's no question BYU is more talented and athletic than it was last season. So what can Cougar fans expect from this team?

"Intensity. High-paced, fast-break basketball," Ainge said. "It's going to be a lot of fun. We have some of athletic guys who can play above the rim as well. It should be a fun show."

Rose has been impressed with his players' effort thus far.