FAN | 2:21 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
BYU had better be ranked after this one
cburp | 8:35 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Um, they lost - no moral victories here. Its tough to be a cougar fan these days with Utah winning all their big games (TCU, BYU, Sugar Bowl, Gonzaga et.al.) and BYU just doesn't seem to have it when it counts. Just like football when the wins were all against cupcake competition, BYU basketball will not be taken seriously until they can win a big game or at least a tourny game. I for one and really disappointed in BYU sports right now.
Dumb fan | 8:50 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Why would they be ranked? They lost... I love BYU just as much as the next guy but lets not get crazy here.
Comments continue below
Cummard | 10:07 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
I love Cummard's game. But its too bad he underperformed in the two games attended by the most scouts - ASU and Wake. This was as close to playing on an NBA floor Cummard will be during this season and the result was not great. The thing I noticed the most was that several of his shots were blocked by the quick and athletic Wake players. I see Cummard as an overseas guy who could stick for several years like Hansen has. But it is very doubtful he will make an NBA squad.
Excellent Effort Cougs! | 10:07 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
BYU nearly knocked off an ACC powerhouse. That says great things about the program that Coach Rose is building in Provo. Very, very impressive.
BlueBoy | 10:08 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Abouo is the only BYU player who has the ability (and maybe the mindset) to drive to the basket and try to finish, which he does more often than not, sometimes getting fouled. This kid might be quite the player for BYU in time. Easy to see why the coach plays this youngster.

Fredette will be one of BYU's best players, but not the superstar Ainge was.

Tavernari will never come to realize he's a streak shooter, and play accordingly.

Emery still hasn't hit his stride. He must have the team's best vertical capability.

Chris Miles will end up a good center for BYU, but not a great one. At least he can shoot free throws better than the last center.

Cougars in a nutshell:

1) Pesky defensive team--that's REALLY good.
2) Great trey-shooting team--but inconsistent down the stretch in tough games.
3) No inside presence against good teams.

Mixed bag.
To Cummard | 11:05 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Maybe he underperforms cause the competition is better? Perhaps outside of Utah he is not really that good. He may be your best player but he doesn't show much nationally. I don't think your team is that good.
To the Trolls up North... | 1:25 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009
It's pretty sad when the majority of the comments on BYU boards are from the Utes up north. Football and basketball....apples and oranges. You can talk about football all you want, but you're just making a fool of yourself as your basketball team loses to SWB and ISU. Oh, and then there's the 4-0 record against the Utes on the hardwood as of late. As for the scouts and the cougars, Cummard will do well in Europe, Tavernari too if he learns his role on the team before graduation. Fredette, however, is another story. I beg to differ with whomever said Abouo is the only one to drive the basket. They obviously didn't see the game last night. Fredette will be an NBA caliber player come his senior year. Keep in mind that he's onl a sophomore, putting up 23 against the #6 team in the country. He's quick, has a great outside shot, clutch from the line. His homework over the next 2 1/2 seasons will be decreasing the number of turnovers, and working on ball-handling---he prefers to put his back against defenders up close, but he needs to face them head on and view the court and hisoptions.
Ed in Atl | 1:53 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Dad gum! You should have slammed that lay up down hard, it would have brought the house down.
Basketball Jones | 1:57 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Beat WF on their home court and you got something to talk about.
you know | 4:20 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009
the actual only reason that byu lost is because of cheap fowls and refs and JONATHAN TAVERNARI.
byu fan | 8:53 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009
BYUs lack of defensive fundamentals cost them both of their games.
BYU Always, | 11:30 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009
I still maintain---if you only shoot 40% from the floor, on your home court, you will not win many games, especially against a team that shoots 50%, like The Deacons.
I predict---the Y will shoot better than 40% on ALL the rest of their home games----count on it.
By the way---get off the refs back---it does NO good to rant and rave about then. Just be glad you do not have to put up with Jimmy Clark and Moose Stubins.
utah fan | 11:59 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009
i honestly think BYU should be ranked. They clearly have showed it against ASU and Wake Forest in which they could've won both those games
woody | 12:22 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009
I hope the coaches screem and yell and holler at the players when the time is right. A lot of coaches I'vd read about do that and calls them to task, but it seems to me our coaches are afread to hurt someones feelings. Woody Hayes did it and won a bunch in football. I like the way Utah finishes ther football games , down to the wire with effort. They say we play as we practice. If thats true, we better step up ours and push it to the wire. We shoud have been playing a preseason with the all the players rather than a few and loosing than playing with a few and winning. The Jazz used to do that. Jack Gardner did it at Utah, but he ususally found a way to win. Lets also teach our centers how to score more points than they get fouls. It might just make a difference. I'm a die hard couger fan and will always be so but in years past, we had centers who would score and stay in the game. We must have a big guy in the game down to the finish.
Hit the weights | 1:33 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009
Cummard, hit the weights, dude. Strength is a must against tougher competition.
Karl Jr | 4:54 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009
Cummard missed shots and free throws when it really counted. That one in one late in the game that he missed really turned the tempo. I still can't believe this guy actually thought he had a chance in the NBA last year. He chokes in the big games and won't make the NBA where every game is a big one. At least he will get paid playing overseas.
Good Game | 7:15 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009
It was an exciting game that could have gone either way. A cold shooting streak at the end doomed the Cougars; it happens.

This BYU team could be better than their last two teams that won regular season conference championships. Miles needs to step it up and show a little confidence. He's pausing when he catches the pass in the paint instead of going straight to the basket.
Fredette NBA? | 8:43 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009
Sorry folks but it is very tough for someone 6'2" to make the NBA unless you are blazing quick with great ball handling and passing skills. Fredette is a very nice shooting guard with point guard height and there is no way a 6'2" shooting guard makes the NBA. I am looking forward to watching him over the next 3 years but rarely does a real NBA talent come through Provo. If Fredette were 6'6" I'd be saying he could be a first rounder. His only chance is if he becomes a fantastic passer and right now he is a very good scorer but only an average passer and ball handler. Way below average fopr NBA standards.
Classy | 10:06 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009
Thank you Wake!!!! So the Center down south doesn't have majical powers to make a good team a contender. Good luck winning a mid-major.
Wake Forest | 10:10 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009
There's no shame in losing to Wake. I was just hoping BYU could keep it close until the end, then hopefully Wake would wear down because of the altitude factor. But I'm impressed that WF kept its strength and speed throughout the entire game. And it was BYU that looked a littled tired at the end. To me, that explains a lot of the misses in the last few minutes.

Let's not dismiss BYU just because they lost. Give credit to Wake Forest. They have more athletic kids for the most part. And I want Jimmer to control the ball and do what he's been doing. He did great things in some big games last year, so I'm not suprised by his poise and productivity.

I like this team more than any BYU team the past 15 years. I think the Coach will continue to build this program. Our inside game is weak, but our outside game is exciting.

I just hope word gets around how Wake Forest enjoyed playing this game. I'd love to see some other big-time schools come to Provo. They don't always lose.

jlhazlewood | 10:31 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009
If you go back and look at the game, you'll notice that BYU ran out of gas. Their shots were hitting the front of the rim. Also, their transition game died in the last five minutes or so of the game. Wake Forrest was in better condition and it showed at the end. Regardless of who won, it was a great game to watch and was a lot closer than the score indicated.
UNLV | 10:59 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009
BYU ran out of gas just like every year in the MWC tournament. Get in shape and maybe you might win a meaningful game.
Whoa Nellie | 11:32 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009
To: you know,
Learn to count dude. You try to give us the "only" reason BYU lost then spout off three different reasons. And what is a cheap fowl? Would that be outdated chicken that is on sale?
to UNLV | 12:28 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009
Let's play the MWC tournament on our turf and we'll see who runs out of gas.
UNLV | 12:42 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009
Our players don't get tired. We have what they call conditioning during practice and the off-season. The only reason we get tired in Provo is altitude. That's your homecourt advantage. Not your players. Play at sea level and you don't stand a chance.
JIMMER? | 12:54 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009
JImmer is a great PLayer. BUT COME ON. ALL THE LAME MEDIA REPORTERS/WRITERS LOVE to dis the old blood..and LOVE TO TALK UP THE NEW BLOOD/GUYS. Jimmer has a great game but NBA? Come one. Imagine a faster..stronger..more athletic..bigger point guard agaisnt Jimmer. Especially in the NBA. I think we are all getting a little over our heads des. news media. And as for LEE... he needs to step it up against BIG TIME TEAMS. I am not too worried about LEE and he shouldn't worry either. He's a great player..and will work out for all the teams this summer. He will perform great.
Re:UNLV | 1:29 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009
You don't have a clue what you're talking about. BYU is a better team than UNLV. You'll see what happens to the Runnin' Rebs when they come to the Marriott center this year. You'll have nothing to run your mouth about then except how bad the refs were or any other lame excuse you can come up with. The only reason your boys win the conference tournament is home court advantage every year. Make it fair, switch schools every year, and your Rebs will win the tournament once every nine years or so.
Re: UNLV | 2:38 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009
When was the last time you won in Provo? Been a few years hasn't it. But then, you hit the nail on the head, it's the altitude that puts the ball into the hoop for us. That being said, WYO should also have a long win streak at home since they're 2500+ feet higher than Provo.

Wouldnt your argument be tougher if the MWC tourney were held somewhere else for a change? Otherwise, how do you get into the NCAA tourney every year?
UNLV | 4:20 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009
Would you want to play in Wyoming? Let's see...BYU's record in the NCAA tournament? UNLV's record in the NCAA tournament? I would rather be a Rebel fan!!
Re: UNLV | 7:18 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009
That wan't your argument. You were saying the altitude was the cause for UNLVs failure in the Provo. I think we agree, it has nothing to do with altitude.

We're not arguing your record in the NCAA...no dispute there, clearly UNLV is better. Conditioning is not the reason for BYU's futility in the NCAA...it's the lack of an inside game combined with consitency from the outside...and too many turnovers in crunchtime.
Altitude | 7:54 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009
Obviously you don't know anything about altitude if you don't think altitude has an effect.
To "To Cummard" | 12:03 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Cummard is not that good outside of Utah? He's not even from Utah, genius. He was rated the top HS player out of Arizona. He was MWC co-player of the year last year, which I believe includes more than just Utah, genius.
Hey cburp.... | 12:05 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Utah wins the big games? UTAH WINS THE BIG GAMES??? We're talking about basketball here so and overrated Gonzaga team is all you got. What do the following have in common? SW Baptist, Idaho State, Oklahoma, Cal, Utah State. Oh yeah, they lost all of them. And only two of them are really good teams.

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