Come together: Rose looking for veterans and newcomers to jell early

Dave Rose expects BYU basketball to take up where it left off last year — challenge for a conference championship — but do it while adopting a more physical makeup on the court.

Gone from last year's MWC championship team are four key players. League player of the year Keena Young is in Korea playing ball; point guard Austin Ainge is coaching at Southern Utah; shooting guard Jimmy Balderson is working in California; and sharpshooter Mike Rose is in the insurance business in Las Vegas.

But Rose expects a core of returning players to be both capable and motivated to keep the Cougar tradition alive. Within a week, Rose will find out which of his newcomers, transfers and recruits could contribute early.

"The biggest thing for us is to come together as a team," said Rose. "That's usually the biggest thing for any team, the biggest challenge."

Rose said he's already seen an identity in his team, one that is highly spirited, and he expects that to show as the Cougars begin formal practice this weekend.

"I expect it to be a physical and intense few days," said Rose. "... We'll know more about our team."

That may include some battles, black eyes, bloodied noses, bumps and bruises.

In August, just days after returning from a mission, one of the Cougars' most physical players as a freshman in 2004, center Chris Miles, had seven stitches in his face while playing pickup ball with his teammates. Consider it a welcome home for Miles and introduction to BYU's offseason conditioning program under strength coach Justin McClure.

Rose said he expects, from what he's seen in skill development this summer, the Cougars to be physical.

"'I'm in the best shape of my life," said junior small forward Lee Cummard. "Justin really tore into us this summer. I thought last summer was hard, but I think this summer was harder and that's a good thing."

Cummard said the returning Cougars believe they have the guns to be in the conference race.

"Anything less than competing for a championship and I think we underachieve," he said. "We have great guys. We had great guys a year ago."

One of the more interesting questions for Rose and his staff will be evaluating how MWC freshman of the year Jonathan Tavernari fits into the mix. He came off the bench a year ago and posed a big change-up for opposing defenses. He played power forward with a perimeter game, and at times that allowed Young to move to small forward.