BYU men's basketball: Cougars hope to sustain good play vs. Nevada

LAS VEGAS — In looking at what BYU and Nevada did last week against a common opponent, the Cougars theoretically should be able to beat the Wolfpack by 54 points today when the two teams meet at the Orleans Arena.

OK, an expectation like that is a little preposterous. But, the Cougars did crush the same Eastern Washington team that Nevada beat by three points by a staggering 57 points on Saturday.

The Cougars know, however, that what happens in one game doesn't necessarily mean anything the next time out.

"When you play a good game like this, you can always come out (the next time) and not be as enthusiastic and just think it's going to come to you. But you've got to go out and make sure that you give the same effort," Cougar guard Jimmer Fredette said. "We might not necessarily play the same type of game, but I think we can play just as hard."

In other words, even though BYU crushed Eastern Washington while Nevada edged the same team, the Cougars are still expecting the Wolfpack to be a handful today in the third round of the HoopTV Las Vegas Classic.

"We've got two really good teams in front of us, no matter who we play," coach Dave Rose said, alluding to a game BYU also has Wednesday at the Orleans Arena against either Tulsa or Nebraska, who meet today on the other side of the bracket.

In Saturday's demolition derby at the Marriott Center, the Cougars had one of their most impressive games in school history. They shot 64 percent from the floor, scored 33 straight points in one stretch in the first half, led by 41 at halftime, and outrebounded the Eagles 45-17.

"Guys know when you play well, and I think the guys in the locker room know that this was one of those games where we were all dialed in," Rose said.

Certainly, achieving those kind of offensive numbers game in and game out might be a little out of reach. But Rose believes the Cougars can play defense and rebound like they did against Eastern Washington on a regular basis.

"We're capable of playing like this, and hopefully this will be a benchmark that we can work to," Rose said.

Also on the Cougars' side is a two-week break from finals and classes.

"I tell them that this time should be the best they should ever play, during the two weeks of Christmas when they've got one thing to worry about, and that's playing well," Rose said.