BYU's Chris Miles hopes to end Cougar career on top

LAS VEGAS — Chris Miles' career at BYU is winding down with his final appearances in a Cougar uniform in this week's Mountain West tournament and he believes his team has some momentum.

A year ago, the Cougars made an exit from this tournament after losing to San Diego State. It was a game Miles said the Cougars did not play with the proper mindset and effort. This year BYU opens up against TCU on Thursday.

The winner will play the survivor between Utah and host UNLV.

This time, Miles says the 28-4 Cougars are hungry and want to hunt for a win after failing to win the league title. A tournament title could enhance BYU's NCAA seed when parings are released on Sunday. In victories over Utah and TCU to end the regular season, Miles said BYU has tried "some different things" and they've worked.

Some of that formula is using a lot of players competing with one another to show who can play the hardest while making a great effort on defense.

While Miles has seen his playing time whittled away at times, he doesn't blink an eye over why: Freshman Brandon Davies. Miles has also been replaced by power forward Noah Hartsock when BYU goes to a smaller lineup.

"I think we tried some different things and as a team we've had guys come off the bench and play well. Jonathan Tavernari just had a huge game at TCU. Brandon has played as excellent as a freshman could possible play coming off the bench against Utah and TCU.

"I think what is taking place is our team is getting ready for the two tournaments, as a team, that's what we have left together," Miles said. "As a team, we've found a way to play very well together. We did that earlier in the season and we're formulating a way to do that now."

Miles lists his keys for BYU in Las Vegas.

"It's really important in a tournament to play as hard as you can every game. If you don't, it might be your last game. That was the situation we had last year against San Diego State (in Las Vegas)," he said. "It was the opposite the year before when we played San Diego, we pulled it off and they were a great team and they demonstrated that by playing well in the NIT.

"We need to play really hard and be really consistent. Unselfish play will be the key," he added. "It's easy to get excited and change little things you do as a team. As long as we handle the emotion and the excitement and just keep playing unselfish and have guys make shots, we'll be fine."