BYU basketball notebook: Cougars loaded at point guard

PROVO — It's no secret which BYU basketball player will be the Cougars' on-the-floor general this season.

Junior Jimmer Fredette, the preseason Mountain West Conference player of the year, is going to be the Cougars' point guard and the one directing most of BYU's possessions.

But that doesn't mean that backup point guards Lamont Morgan Jr. and Michael Loyd Jr. won't have valuable roles for the Cougars this season, or that they won't still see significant time on the court. They are the Cougars' fastest and quickest players, and could be called upon plenty when a bit more speed is required in the lineup.

"I am a guy who can get up and down the floor, so I bring a lot of energy and a lot of up-tempo and a little more break to our offense," said Loyd, a 6-foot-1 sophomore from Las Vegas who is coming off a redshirt season. "And I hope I can become consistent on defense, because I need to get my hands in the passing lanes and create some steals and get us some break points. I just have to look and see where I can fit in and contribute, and how I can get some points on the board. I'm working real hard because I want to earn my keep on the floor."

If speed is not the reason one of the two reserve point guards gets the call, it might just be to give Fredette some time to rest or shift him to a different role. Last year, coach Dave Rose used Morgan frequently at the point and moved Fredette over to the 2. Rose has already promised that, with BYU's depth and flexibility at every position, he'll likely use a variety of lineups.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to play a lot of guys and play at a really high speed — and really intense," Rose said.

Actually, Loyd and Morgan, at times, could even end up on the floor together.

"We have a lot of guys who can do a lot of different things. We're real versatile," Morgan said. "If I work hard to expand my role and earn some trust, that gives coach the option of putting someone else at the one and changing up the lineup a little bit."

Recognizing that his role might increase this season, Morgan spent the offseason working on his strength, on his shooting, and finishing stronger once he gets to the hoop.

"I really worked on my offense, my explosion, and every little aspect of becoming more effective," Morgan said.

Loyd feels he's improved significantly this season as well, mainly because of the experience he gained by redshirting last season.

"Coming in my freshman year, I tried to help, but honestly I just didn't get it. Now I think I've actually improved thinking-wise and playing-wise," he said.

CATCHING UP: Freshman swingman Tyler Haws, expected to challenge for playing time at the 2 and 3 positions with the departure of Lee Cummard, is finally back practicing full speed after missing more than a week with IT band tendonitis in his left knee. The injury still stiffens up at times, but Haws is finally able to participate in the scrimmage portions of practices and is expected to see his first action on Thursday in BYU's exhibition game against Trinity Western.

"It is hard sitting out for a week. I hated that," Haws said. "But I actually feel like I was able to learn a few things by stepping back and being able to watch, so that's helped me a little bit. Hopefully I can make up some ground, be a quick learner and get going."

e-mail: jimr@desnews.com