From Deseret News archives:
BYU basketball: Supporting cast stepping up for Cougs
Even though he and co-captain Jonathan Tavernari are scoring about the same, right around 18.5 points per game, Cummard is still the one opposing teams try to stop and the one that BYU calls on in key times. When BYU calls a timeout on must-score possessions, a play is usually drawn up for Cummard to get the shot — normally a turn-around jumper from his favorite spot just to the left or right of the key.
It was Cummard handling the ball in the final minute against Tulsa on Tuesday when the Hurricane was mounting a late charge, and it was Cummard who made 5-of-6 free throws down the wire to seal the tough road win. In helping the Cougars to an 11-1 season mark, Cummard has also had many key rebounds, steals and defensive stops.
Opposing coaches knew, when Cummard chose to return to BYU for his senior season, that the smooth game the 6-foot-7 star brings every night makes the Cougars a team to reckon with. What those same coaches didn't realize, however, was how good of chemistry BYU has with its other four starters.
It's not just BYU coach Dave Rose that is heaping praise these days on the roles Tavernari, junior center Chris Miles, and sophomore guards Jackson Emery and Jimmer Fredette are playing. Those who are getting burned by Cummard's supporting cast have certainly taken notice. In fact, every coach has said that BYU's balance is the reason the Cougars are so difficult to beat.
"That is a very good college basketball team," Tulsa coach Doug Wojcik said following the Hurricane's loss Tuesday to BYU, a loss that snapped Tulsa's 18-game home winning streak.
Wojcik was especially complimentary of Tavernari and Fredette. He said Tavernari, who plays the four spot, is tough for any typical power forward to guard because of his quickness, ball-handling abilities, threat as a deep shooter and because of his movement around the basket.
"He's the difference-maker for them. He really is," Wojcik said. "He's going to be a tough match-up for any team."
He called Fredette a "strong" point guard who is great at getting to the basket and getting off shots against bigger and quicker defenders. He felt Fredette's big second half Tuesday, in which he scored 11 of his 13 points, was the real back-breaker for Tulsa.
"He's kind of a poor man's Deron Williams," Wojcik said.
