Comments about ‘Saint Mary's defeats BYU, 80-66’

We were obviously hurt in this one by poor officiating. We win on a level playing field.

However, throwing garbage onto the court isn't the answer.

This debacle and Tuesday's probable loss to Gonzaga should pretty much end the Cougars NCAA dreams..... I gather it was hard to tell what was a bigger mess on the floor: The game the Cougs brought tonight OR the junk the fans threw on the court!! Very classy Coug fans!

I think the players, who were wearing shirts saying "sportsmanship" on the back, ought to give them to the fans.
I've never seen more garbage thrown around and a worse display of unsportsmanlike behavior at a college bball game.
Interesting that I'd never seen more garbage thrown by fans at a football game than I saw thrown in the '95 Utah/BYU game at cougar stadium.
Stay classy Cougs.

Byu ought to control that fan base. Classless for sure.

Tough, emotional loss. The officials let it get out of control and it was bad for both teams. I thought I was watching cougar football instead of watching a basketball game. I think the WCC officials are also trying to adjust to calling a game in front of 22000 people.

1) If BYU plays Gonzaga with the intensity they showed in the 2nd half, they should have a very good chance to win the game. I'm pleased with the effort BYU showed tonight. They didn't quit and kept coming to the end. Unfortunately, the hole was too big.

2) There really is a problem with officiating in these WCC conference games. And I thought there were problems in the MWC. At least they were consistent in favoring the home team. The refs officiating these WCC games are only consistent in their inconsistency. I can't believe how many times Rob Jones lowered a shoulder into a BYU defender and got away with it. Yet Davies is upright and gets called for an offensive foul when the other guy flops.

3) St. Mary's is a really good team. Their star point guard didn't score a point in the first half (if I remember correctly) yet they were still up big. I think it's safe to say that this is the year Gonzaga's run ends. I'm just disappointed it won't be BYU to end it.

I have a feeling that the only team going to the NCAA tourney this year will be from Ogden.

@motorbike
I think I saw paper being thrown around. At least they werent throwing beer on the opposing teams families. Please explain how to stay classy......wow.

Really disappointed in the students. There is never a reason to throw things. The refs missed a lot of calls but BYU lost this game because St. Mary's is a better team. I can't understand why coach Rose had them stay in the zone for so long. St. Mary's got so many open threes and offensive rebounds. BYU did much better after they switched to man.

Did anyone else notice the St. Mary's players on the bench make a throat slash and point towards the student section after they hit the three to go up 23? I can't imagine it helped to lower the tension in the building. College kids can be stupid. I'm sure BYU's admin will have some things to say after this.

I was at the game. You can only blame so much on the refs. St. Mary's was simply hungrier and sharper than us.

Cougars shoot 41%. Gaels shoot 55%.

No one should be surprised by the shooting results or the outcome of the game.

Maybe they will get a second chance at the WCC tourney. At this point in the season, it's embarrassing.

Tough loss but the intensity in the second half was great to see. It's going to take that kind of effort both halves to win against Gonzaga and in the tournament. Keep learning Cougars.

Officiating had its moments. No doubt St. Marys can play the game.

St. Mary's obviously has our number this year. They worked us pure and simple. As bad as the officiating may have been, they didn't lose this game for us. Our poor shooting, turn-overs and inconsistent play. And the BYU fans who threw things on the court should be ashamed of themselves. What a black-eye for the Program. This game was on national TV. This type of behavior is what we want the nation to think that's what BYU sports is about? When's the last time a team has been assessed a technical foul because of their fans. And then the game ends with 3 seconds left because of their behavior. Inexcusable. Also, why do you boo every single foul? Get a grip on things. I love my Cougs, but this was not a game I was proud to say I'm a Cougar fan. Let's do better in the student section Thurs night against the Zags .... please!

and BYU fans look down at Aggie fans for signs... hmmm...

St. Mary's was the better team. The Cougs played a good second half, but the first half cost them the game again. But, the biggest disappointment has to be the poor sportsmanship at the end. ...and on national television...

Missed the game tonight cause I was watching Weber get beat by the ISU bengals. Read through the comments on the message board but I have to give credit to St. Marys. they are a far better team. you don't lead by 23 and 25 in two seperate games this year without being considered a superior team to BYU. BYU got hammered both times they have played St. Marys. No excuses...About poor officiating. I'm watching the rebroadcast on BYUtv and though there may have been a few questionable calls tonight but they got to keep their emotions in check and play better team ball. That was a pitiful performance tonight to get embarrassed on your Homecourt

I am disappointed in the sportsmanship displayed by the fans and coach Rose. That technical on the coach toward the end of the game was critical and changed the momentum when BYU had scratched and clawed to get back in it. Big mistake by Rose, and his behavior only fuels the fans in their bad behavior. I thought the officiating was atrocious, but not particularly biased against BYU, and didn't cost BYU the game. BYU's poor shooting and poor defense cost them the game. St Mary's could knock down the 3. BYU struggled badly. St Mary's had many uncontested layups due to good passing and misalignments by BYU defense. Almost every shot BYU attempted was contested--no gimmees. We also got outrebounded
pretty badly.

Carlino almost singlehandedly got BYU back in it. If he can continue to penetrate like that, he'll not only get his points, but he'll be able to dish it off for wide open shots.

I can't for the life of me figure out why this team has gotten so cold from the arc--that's what, . . four games in a row now?

For those comparing officiating between past and present conferences: they are generally the same guys. I've spoken with the refs at the Utah games a number of times and it's not like football where refs are assigned a conference, it's more geographical than anything. The Pac-12 refs I've spoken with also cover MWC, WAC and WCC games.

@we wear blue and @Kyle loves BYU/Jazz

Tension in the building? Throwing things on the court? Having to end the contest with 3 seconds left? It is a g-a-m-e!

Half of BYU's student body are either returned missionaries or old enough to be one. The vast majority are LDS, ALL undergrads are required to read the New Testament. If you can find ONE scripture that justifies the kind of horrible sportsmanship that is described here -- well, you are fooling yourselves.

I remember hearing a caller rant and rave at HOF Coach LaVell Edwards after a Cougar loss. He said, "Hey, that is the kind of passion you should reserve for something really important, like your family. Football is just a game." To his credit the caller responded with, "You're right. You're right. I apologize."

The FANS should offer an apology, not the administration.

...not enought said about the emotion, the anger, of so many at the Marriott Center...I think ST. Mary's plays too physical, and gets away with it, and BYU is still trying to adjust to the WCC in those terms, how, for example, the refs seem to allow wrestling, pushing, shoving, tackling, just crazy physical stuff whenever there is a loose ball to chase down...I have felt the Y has gotten "homered" by the refereeing in every game they've played so far, by the WCC officials; there were just too many one-sided, horrible calls tonight, and the rowdiness of the crowd reflected their frustration with that...it is the big story the Deseret News has not dealt with, my oppinion.