"Again, I know I'll score, that's how our offense works, but my focus will be on defense, on playing with my teammates, guarding as a team, playing 8, 9, 10 players off the bench," Tavernari said. "I want to succeed and win the (conference) tournament in Las Vegas, I want to be part of a consistent Top 25 team, dominate league play, go in opponent gyms and make shots, have fun with my teammates.

"I don't care about points or glory or any individual accolades," he said. "I want a third ring so bad, and the only stats I care about are rebounds and assists. I told Lee we are going to get him a back-to-back player of the year trophy. I can't wait to get back and play with my teammates again."

With all the talk about BYU, is he homesick at all, I ask.

"Man, you are going to make me cry right now. I miss everything about Provo, even the conditioning with Justin (McClure). My life, the people, the church, not paying a lot for phone service, my coaches, BYU, my teammates, everything. Provo is my home now. It has a special place in my heart, along with Vegas."

What else, JT?

"Mostly the people," he said. "But I miss the U.S. a lot. I miss Provo, Vegas, BYU, my teammates, Justin yelling at me, the weight room, the basketball camps, hanging out with Mike Loyd, Archie Rose and getting in arguments with Lee during pickups, the coaches, the school and, of course, my girlfriend."

I'll tell her.

That's a wrap.

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com