Reader comments
BYU basketball: Cougars' offense hot, but defense is key
42 comments | Read story
Wayne Rout | 10:29 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
There once were poorly written comments from the UNLV fan. I have not seen
those lately. Good job Cougars. The may be the best BYU team ever that did
not have Danny Ainge. I think they will continue to approve.
still not | 10:38 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
I am stil not totally convinced. Once they win on a consistent basis away from
the MC the Cougars are just an average team. They beat the teams they are
supposed to at home but don't really do anything amazing on the road. Until
then, just average to me.
Anonymous | 10:52 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Congrats on the win, the margin should have been much wider.
Comments continue below
Congrats Cougars | 11:01 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
After humbling the Rebels, the Cougars humbled the Frogs with great defense. The
2nd half was a bit ragged, but BYU was in control from start to finish.
The Pit will be rocking on Saturday.
The Pit will be rocking on Saturday.
Hoosier Coug | 11:33 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
The most exciting part of this win is that it was an away game. So far, BYU has
not lost an away game. The Arizona St. game was on a neutral court, and even if
counted, the game was very close.
And yes, "still not", they have had a big win on the road against Tulsa.
Here's to hoping they can continue to win on the road.
And yes, "still not", they have had a big win on the road against Tulsa.
Here's to hoping they can continue to win on the road.
SIlver Maned Cougar | 11:43 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
still not said:
". . . Once they win on a consistent basis away from the MC the Cougars are just an average team. They beat the teams they are supposed to at home but don't really do anything amazing on the road. Until then, just average to me."
Perhaps there is someplace between average and amazing! But note they have won every game away from the MC this year except one, which they lost by one point to a top 25 team. This is definitely not an average team. Not ready for the final four; perhaps not amazing every minute of every game, but WAY above average.
". . . Once they win on a consistent basis away from the MC the Cougars are just an average team. They beat the teams they are supposed to at home but don't really do anything amazing on the road. Until then, just average to me."
Perhaps there is someplace between average and amazing! But note they have won every game away from the MC this year except one, which they lost by one point to a top 25 team. This is definitely not an average team. Not ready for the final four; perhaps not amazing every minute of every game, but WAY above average.
Away Game | 11:44 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
The game was played in Provo, pretty sure it was a home game for the cougars.
Re: Hoosier Coug | 11:45 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Sorry, it was a home game. The last time I checked the Marriott Center is
BYU's home court. But, BYU is 6-0 on the road this season and 1-1 on
neutral courts.
Re: Wayne Rout | 11:57 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Wait, wait, wait...who posts poorly written comments? Did you bother to read
what you wrote before submitting your comment?
As for Hoosier Coug, this was a home game. Notice how the article talked about them winning at the Marriott Center? Yeah...that's where BYU's home court is. Marriott Center. Provo. Utah.
As for Hoosier Coug, this was a home game. Notice how the article talked about them winning at the Marriott Center? Yeah...that's where BYU's home court is. Marriott Center. Provo. Utah.
Anonymous | 12:34 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
I was at the game... in Provo. Not in Texas. But still, the cougars have been
better on the road it would appear this season.
Jumbo Slice | 6:23 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
This team is solid. They will hammer the Utes.
Average? | 6:28 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
As it would appear, a 6-0 road record does not leave much room for improvement
in that department. Granted, that probably won't be a perfect record all
season. However, they beat a Tulsa team on the road who just took Memphis to
the brink last night (Memphis won 55-54). I've been to many games this
season, and been a college basketball fan for my entire life (I come from Big 12
country, huge Jayhawk fan growing up) and I have no doubt BYU would contend for
the Big 12 title this year. THey would finish third at worst in that
conference, guaranteed.
metamoracoug | 6:34 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Away . . . Home . . . Who cares? Cougs won! And their only losses are at the
hands of teams ranked in the top 15 (or 16, depending on which poll you
consult). And one of those losses was decided after a 5 minute pay off . . .
er, consultation by the referrees. For the more part, this team is playing
exceptionally well though we still need somebody who can put the ball in the
hoop in the post.
Deputy Barney Fife | 6:36 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Exectations for a perfect season--or one with only two losses--are unrealistic,
I hope all you Cougar fans who will only be satisfied with an undefeated
conference record hold yourselves to the same standard in your personal lives.
Dave Rose and his teams have done a remarkable job at BYU. But I forget--as a
Cougar fan I must look at the half-empty glass and ask, "When are you going
to win a tournament game?" Now I feel like I really belong . . .
Road Game | 7:17 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
The Lady Cougs beat the Lady Frogs in Texas.
The men have done well on the road this year, winning all 6 road games, including a win over a solid Tulsa team, plus a neutral site win over a good Utah State team, and a controversial one-point loss against Top 15 Arizona State at "neutral" University of Phoenix Stadium.
The men have done well on the road this year, winning all 6 road games, including a win over a solid Tulsa team, plus a neutral site win over a good Utah State team, and a controversial one-point loss against Top 15 Arizona State at "neutral" University of Phoenix Stadium.
UNLV Poster? | 7:22 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Before TCU dismantled the rebels there was a lot smack coming from UNLV posters.
Now they are no where to be found. How quickly they jump from the bandwagon.
TED | 7:46 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
FINAL FOUR MWC TOURNEY!
UNLV
BYU
UTAH
NEW MEXICO
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
NEW MEXICO
BYU
CHAMPION
BYU
UNLV AND MEW MEXICO INVITED TO TOURNEY!
UNLV
BYU
UTAH
NEW MEXICO
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
NEW MEXICO
BYU
CHAMPION
BYU
UNLV AND MEW MEXICO INVITED TO TOURNEY!
double dribbler | 8:15 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
If this team has a weakness it's at the center position. The guys play
hard, but I'm curious to see how they do against Luke Neville and other MWC
teams with very good big men. I'm not surprised at the play of our guards.
Last years guards were "bulldogs", but they didn't have as much
talent as this years players.
Final MWC Four | 8:55 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
BYU
UNLV
SDSU
New Mexico
Championship Game
BYU vs SDSU
Champion
BYU
BYU, UNLV and SDSU go dancing
New Mexico and Utah NIT
UNLV
SDSU
New Mexico
Championship Game
BYU vs SDSU
Champion
BYU
BYU, UNLV and SDSU go dancing
New Mexico and Utah NIT
Hip to Clip | 9:38 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Three Cheers for Jim Rayburn's mustache.
Re: Hossier Coug | 9:51 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Sorry this game was in Provo.
Madness | 10:00 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
There's no way the MWC is getting 5 teams into post season play. 3 is more
realistic.
still not | 10:06 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
I said that CONSISTENT wins on the road makes great teams. Yeah they beat Tulsa,
but do it every time you play on the road. Until then just average
Anonymous | 10:19 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
They have won every game on the road this season, and not squeakers either.
I'd say undefeated on the road is pretty dang consistent.
Very Good | 10:22 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
BYU hasn't reached great, yet, but they are very good. Only 12 teams
currently have fewer losses than BYU, and BYU beat one of those teams, Utah
State.
6-0 on the road is far better than average.
What one poster seems to be looking for is UNDEFEATED on the road, which is a ridiculously high standard for being considered better than average. That's more like a National Championship contender standard.
6-0 on the road is far better than average.
What one poster seems to be looking for is UNDEFEATED on the road, which is a ridiculously high standard for being considered better than average. That's more like a National Championship contender standard.
Re: double dribbler | 11:53 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009
I would disagree that the team's weakness is at the center position. Miles
is very athletic and once he figures out how to stay out of fowl trouble he will
be great. Miles has very good shot selection and will kick the ball out when
needed, unlike Plaisted who constantly forced shots even when double teamed. If
anything, the team is better with Miles because the 3 point threat is better
utilized.
CougPower | 12:00 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Cougs have been notorious for 'biffing' in big games against 1)
equally strong teams, against (especially) ranked teams, and 3) in vitriolic/
hostile environments(away games). You can say all you want about being
'good', and stuffing your program with great recruits. Bottomline is:
you're not great until players ramp-up their mentally tough (mental-)side
to their game--especially on the road. The Cougs are potentially
"great", but NOT i.e. great 'road warriors'....yet! Until
then, don't count on consistency in tough road games and any dominant
performance[s] in the post-season.
Hopefully Coach Rose will continue in his excellence--to enhance his approaches and perspectives on coaching our players' collective and individual mental ('unflinching' or tough) side of their play. Conversely, I think most would conclude that, i.e. this year's Utes' FB team more than embraced this doctrine--(of mental toughnness) especially in the last four or five games...
Hopefully Coach Rose will continue in his excellence--to enhance his approaches and perspectives on coaching our players' collective and individual mental ('unflinching' or tough) side of their play. Conversely, I think most would conclude that, i.e. this year's Utes' FB team more than embraced this doctrine--(of mental toughnness) especially in the last four or five games...
Matt | 12:48 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Great season so far. I truly enjoy watching this team.
NOTE: I'm guessing that the fans that are writing about "biffing in big games" or stating that the team needs to be perfect to have a successful season don't attend games. Let's not hold these student athletes to level that we can't even attain in our endeavors.
NOTE: I'm guessing that the fans that are writing about "biffing in big games" or stating that the team needs to be perfect to have a successful season don't attend games. Let's not hold these student athletes to level that we can't even attain in our endeavors.
re: still not 10:06am | 1:03 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
"Yeah they beat Tulsa, but do it every time you play on the road. Until
then just average"
They did beat Tulsa every time they played them on the road this year, so I guess that makes them great.
They did beat Tulsa every time they played them on the road this year, so I guess that makes them great.
Cali Coug | 1:31 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Beat Utah!!
Coolio in the House | 2:03 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
BYU can't compete nationally. Until BYU wins a Tournament Game you
can't convince me that they can compete. Why hasn't BYU won a
Tournament game in 20 years?
While we are at it, why is BYU's football program 1-21 against ranked opponents?
Maybe BYU should leave the MWC. They sure don't add much to it.
While we are at it, why is BYU's football program 1-21 against ranked opponents?
Maybe BYU should leave the MWC. They sure don't add much to it.
U are insecure | 2:36 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Hey U fans. We'll take our team and their "records"! We love
these guys. We know they are well respected, bring in the most money every year,
have the largest and most loyal fan base are always classy and oh yeah, were the
MWC champions for the last two years. When we lose it just makes us want to
work harder!
Tell you what U fans, when you want to be friends let us know. But until then when you continue to trash on the Y even after good wins, and doing it after a great football season, your are demonstrating the worlds largest inferiority complex in the NCAA.
Tell you what U fans, when you want to be friends let us know. But until then when you continue to trash on the Y even after good wins, and doing it after a great football season, your are demonstrating the worlds largest inferiority complex in the NCAA.
USU Fan | 2:50 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
You can kick and scream all you want, but until BYU wins a Tournament Game it
really doesn't matter what you say. No national respect in almost 20
years.
What dominance? | 2:52 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Why has Utah's football team only won 5 football championships in the last
35 years, while BYU has won 22 championships?
Why has Utah only had 5 10-plus win seasons in their history, while BYU has had 14 10-plus win seasons?
Why has Utah's football program only been ranked 4.5 times in their entire history, while BYU's football program has been ranked 16 times? BYU has been ranked 4 times just this decade.
Why has Utah only had 5 10-plus win seasons in their history, while BYU has had 14 10-plus win seasons?
Why has Utah's football program only been ranked 4.5 times in their entire history, while BYU's football program has been ranked 16 times? BYU has been ranked 4 times just this decade.
Bronco and Kyle | 3:08 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
2005 to 2008
Bronco: 38-12
2-2 head-to-head
2 MWC championships
3 10-win seasons
3 Top 25 finishes
Kyle: 37-14
2-2 head-to-head
1 MWC championship
1 10-win season
1 Top 25 finish
Kyle and the Utes had a great year and they deserve respect for it, but overall, Bronco still has the edge. A "disappointing" 10-3 Top 25 finish, Bronco's 3rd best season, is still better than anything Kyle did in his other 3 years.
Ranking the seasons:
1 Utah 2008 13-0 #2/4
2 BYU 2007 11-2 #14/14
3 BYU 2006 11-2 #16/15
4 BYU 2008 10-3 #25/20
5 Utah 2007 9-4 unranked
6 Utah 2006 8-5 unranked
7 Utah 2005 7-5 unranked
8 BYU 2005 6-6 unranked
Bronco: 38-12
2-2 head-to-head
2 MWC championships
3 10-win seasons
3 Top 25 finishes
Kyle: 37-14
2-2 head-to-head
1 MWC championship
1 10-win season
1 Top 25 finish
Kyle and the Utes had a great year and they deserve respect for it, but overall, Bronco still has the edge. A "disappointing" 10-3 Top 25 finish, Bronco's 3rd best season, is still better than anything Kyle did in his other 3 years.
Ranking the seasons:
1 Utah 2008 13-0 #2/4
2 BYU 2007 11-2 #14/14
3 BYU 2006 11-2 #16/15
4 BYU 2008 10-3 #25/20
5 Utah 2007 9-4 unranked
6 Utah 2006 8-5 unranked
7 Utah 2005 7-5 unranked
8 BYU 2005 6-6 unranked
Sorry to disappoint USU fan | 3:25 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
but, BYU is already gaining national respect:
The #2-ranked Demon Deacons just won where no opponent had for more than three years, beating BYU 94-87 Saturday and ending the nation�s longest home winning streak at 53.
Here's what the Demon Deacons had to say:
"In the ACC, there�s some great crowds but this one was amazing," said Jeff Teague, who led Wake Forest with 30 points, one off his career high.
"That parallels anything you�ll see in the ACC," Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio said. "I told my team that was not a good win tonight�that was a great win against a great team."
Coming from the #2 team in the country, anybody with any objectivity at all would say that's gaining national respect.
The #2-ranked Demon Deacons just won where no opponent had for more than three years, beating BYU 94-87 Saturday and ending the nation�s longest home winning streak at 53.
Here's what the Demon Deacons had to say:
"In the ACC, there�s some great crowds but this one was amazing," said Jeff Teague, who led Wake Forest with 30 points, one off his career high.
"That parallels anything you�ll see in the ACC," Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio said. "I told my team that was not a good win tonight�that was a great win against a great team."
Coming from the #2 team in the country, anybody with any objectivity at all would say that's gaining national respect.
win on road | 4:52 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
you gotta win on the road in conference play. until then, i agree with just
average. most teams the y schedules in preseason are gimmes. win at unlv, sdsu
or even utah. until then just average.
Aaron | 5:57 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
At least we've never lost a fireside.
BYU,the Oral Roberts of the West | 7:09 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
No Tourny wins in almost 20 years. Pretty weak, pretty weak.
That certainly doesn't help BYUs reputation or the MWC.
That certainly doesn't help BYUs reputation or the MWC.
DieHardCougar | 9:58 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
Hey, Coolio, take your "1-21" comment to another board. You don't
even have the statistic accurate. You should probably clarify that it's not
an all-time record. Anyway, quit commenting on football.
Now, on to what I really wanted to say. I give a shout out to "U are insecure": he/she is the only one mentioning BYU's dominance in the MWC the past couple of years. In all this talk about BYU not getting any national respect because of its struggles in the NCAA tournament, let's not lose sight of the fact that BYU won the MWC regular season championship pretty convincingly the last two years and have a great start so far this season.
Keep it up Cougs (current lone leader in the MWC)!
Now, on to what I really wanted to say. I give a shout out to "U are insecure": he/she is the only one mentioning BYU's dominance in the MWC the past couple of years. In all this talk about BYU not getting any national respect because of its struggles in the NCAA tournament, let's not lose sight of the fact that BYU won the MWC regular season championship pretty convincingly the last two years and have a great start so far this season.
Keep it up Cougs (current lone leader in the MWC)!
Respect? | 10:07 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009
You want respect? How about a 6 seed in Joe Lunardi's bracket with a
"moving up" arrow? Seems like BYU has gained the attention of this
"man who knows." Not too bad only two games into conference play.
BYU Athletic Supporter | 10:51 a.m. Jan. 15, 2009
This is our year baby!! My prediction: final four!
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
Words Remaining
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
Related content
- Cougars cruise past Wagner 12:55 a.m.
- Climate talks near political accord 12:40 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:39 a.m.
- Wrap-up bill clears Senate hurdle 12:28 a.m.
- The hidden power of Christmas 12:08 a.m.
- Christmas spirit needed 12:08 a.m.
- A tribute to Earl Madsen 12:08 a.m.
- 'In the Company of Angels' inspiring 12:08 a.m.
- Gospel doctrine taught in Spanish 12:07 a.m.
- LDS ballet dancers focus on family 12:07 a.m.
- Susan Powell's family saddened
- Susan Powell notebook seized
- Conan mocks Orrin Hatch, Mormons
- Here are Max Hall's Top 10 wins
- It's official; Heaps signs with BYU
- Genetic testing, ethical dilemmas
- Watching over the Sacred Grove
- David Archuleta's different mission
- Frances Monson recovering well
- Jazz open road trip with victory
- Here are Max Hall's Top 10 wins
157 - It's official; Heaps signs with BYU151
- Conan mocks Orrin Hatch, Mormons146
- Letters: 'Liberal conceit'138
- Jazz stunned by Timberwolves114
- TV mom gives birth to 19th child113
- Susan Powell notebook seized113
- Susan Powell's family saddened112
- Josh Powell meets with WVC police109
- Letters: Explaining Palin102
Here are a few quick-hits from BYU's 77-61 victory over Wagner in the...
Before they play the New Jersey Nets here tonight, a few lingerings...
Latest comments
Agree. Well said, Scott!
I was fortunate enough to see a preview of Avatar and I can tell you that it...
No one is complaining about the reliability of the trains (when scheduled to...
I'm just moving in! That is so sad and scary, Wow! What can be said. I hope...
Pagan just sits and grumbles on these comment lists all day. Look at how...
As article stated quite clearly, Wagner is part of the Las Vegas Classic,...
being able to read all about it on yahoo doesn't make it any harder for...
Always has its best moments in the offseason.
just like Galileo. Oh, except he was using science to fight against the...
The article fortunately did not mention the significant drop in Monavie's...
Advertisements