From Deseret News archives:
BYU basketball: Cougars hope to learn from loss
Instead, the players and coaches hit the film room Monday to examine the thrilling game's final minutes to see if there are ways they can prevent a similar scenario from happening again.
"We need to understand that there were so many opportunities that we could have capitalized on in those last four minutes of the game that wouldn't have put us in the position that we did," coach Dave Rose said.
That position was needing a desperation flip by Charles Abouo at the buzzer, and then needing a favorable ruling by the officials. They got the first but not the second. The coaches are pleased with the high level with which the Cougars competed against the No. 17 Sun Devils, just disappointed in the late-game execution.
"We competed all the way down to the very last second. I thought we made a play to win a game, but we didn't have to be in that spot had we executed a little better," Rose said.
The Cougars made only two field goals in Saturday's final seven minutes while turning the ball over five times in that stretch. Monday's self-evaluation also revealed instances where the Cougars failed to execute on defense. The coaches commented on certain plays, and the players were allowed to comment on certain plays.
"Everything we saw and everything we brought up were things that are correctable. So we just need to work on them," Rose said.
Rose feels the long-term effect from Saturday's tough loss will be positive.
"We played really well in that game. We played well enough to where we had a lead and were playing with confidence and overcoming a lot of issues ... Maybe the focus will improve a little bit and we'll pay a little more attention to details, and hopefully our execution will get better."
POST-GAME CONDUCT: A couple of BYU's players were criticized by some in the way they reacted after the officials ruled Abouo's tip came after time expired. Rose said he addressed those concerns with the team Monday and with the players.
"We want to make sure that we compete at the very highest level with as much intensity as we need to be successful, but we also need to control our emotions. It's a fine line, and I think these guys all understand that," he said.
IMPROVING FROM THE LINE: Rose feels the Cougars are a good free-throw shooting team despite missing twice down the stretch Saturday and shooting below 70 percent for most of the season. The team's goal is to make at least 75 percent of its free throws.
"We're leaving free throws out there at crucial times that we need to be able to convert on," Rose said.
