You know that phrase about one game does not a season make. Throw it out the window. Because when it comes to BYU's first-round NCAA tournament game against Texas A&M, one game does indeed a season make for the Cougars.
Win and the 2007-08 season is looked at as a step forward for the program. Lose and the 27 previous wins suddenly seem all for naught.
Yes, BYU repeated as Mountain West champs, tied the school record for regular-season wins and played some great basketball, but another first-round ousting will be the thing fans and media remember most.
It's been 15 years since BYU won a tourney game. And the Cougars hold the record for most NCAA tourney visits without a Final Four appearance.
Ouch.
The good news for Cougars fans, if BYU beats the Aggies and somehow gets past top-seeded UCLA, the road to the Final Four isn't all that tough. The Nos. 2-6 seeds in the West are the weakest in the field. No. 2 Duke could even fall to 3-point bombing Belmont and Xavier, UConn, Drake and Purdue and all beatable. None are markedly better than BYU. In fact, BYU may be the third-best team in the West Region behind UCLA and Duke.
But first things first, namely a first-round win. It's a tough draw against a tough team from a tough conference. But Texas A&M is beatable. And BYU needs to beat them. For the program to move in the right direction, improve its national image and future NCAA seeding and give fans something to celebrate in March, this game is paramount.
If the Cougars win Thursday (and Saturday), the euphoria will help carry fans through the boring summer months until football two-a-days begin.
And that's something we all need.
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
Monday, March 17, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Recipe for the Sweet 16
What'll it take to get BYU beyond the first-round NCAA oustings that have afflicted the Cougars in each tourney trip since 1993?
Here's a few key ingredients.
1. A good seed. If BYU can land a No. 6 seed, the Cougars could very likely make it to the second week of the Big Dance. A 7-10 seed means one-and-done or a possible first-round win followed by a weekend loss.
2. Avoiding Arizona. If the Arizona Wildcats are paired with BYU in the first round, watch out. The Cats are the type of quick slashing team that gives BYU major trouble (see the two San Diego State games). If BYU can draw an Illinois State, St. Mary's, Davidson or similar mid-major in Round 1, it should give them more confidence than playing a mid-level big-name school like Arizona, Oregon, Kentucky or Texas A&M.
3. The X Factor. If BYU lands a No. 6 seed and sits next to No. 3 Xavier on the bracket, welcome to the Sweet 16. Xavier is clearly the best three-seed matchup for the Cougars. BYU should have beaten the Musketeers in last year's first-round and the revenge factor may put the Cougars over the top.
4. The difference maker: JT for 3. If Jonathan Tavernari makes shots in the tourney, BYU advances. If he clanking up bricks, it'll be the same old story as Lee Cummard and the up-and-down Trent Plaisted won't be enough to win two games.
5. A little luck. The small breaks will make the difference as tourney games are always close. But the Cougars are living right, Magic Happens.
Here's a few key ingredients.
1. A good seed. If BYU can land a No. 6 seed, the Cougars could very likely make it to the second week of the Big Dance. A 7-10 seed means one-and-done or a possible first-round win followed by a weekend loss.
2. Avoiding Arizona. If the Arizona Wildcats are paired with BYU in the first round, watch out. The Cats are the type of quick slashing team that gives BYU major trouble (see the two San Diego State games). If BYU can draw an Illinois State, St. Mary's, Davidson or similar mid-major in Round 1, it should give them more confidence than playing a mid-level big-name school like Arizona, Oregon, Kentucky or Texas A&M.
3. The X Factor. If BYU lands a No. 6 seed and sits next to No. 3 Xavier on the bracket, welcome to the Sweet 16. Xavier is clearly the best three-seed matchup for the Cougars. BYU should have beaten the Musketeers in last year's first-round and the revenge factor may put the Cougars over the top.
4. The difference maker: JT for 3. If Jonathan Tavernari makes shots in the tourney, BYU advances. If he clanking up bricks, it'll be the same old story as Lee Cummard and the up-and-down Trent Plaisted won't be enough to win two games.
5. A little luck. The small breaks will make the difference as tourney games are always close. But the Cougars are living right, Magic Happens.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
What will Selection Sunday bring?
Last season, the Mountain West's two best teams reached the conference title game. Host UNLV and BYU played an outstanding championship contest, ultimately won by the Rebels. UNLV was 28-6. BYU was 24-8. ESPN's Joe Lunardi projected both with great NCAA seeds. The Rebels were being talked about as a No. 5 seed. BYU as a 6 or 7.
Then the CBS Selection Show began. When UNLV rolled across as a No. 7, shock showed on the Rebels' faces. And BYU's hopes of a good seed were instantly dashed. Minutes later, the Cougars scrolled across as a No. 8 seed facing No. 8 Xavier.
Will this year bring more of the same? Once again, BYU and UNLV are the MWC's two best teams. Both are projected as tournament teams. Lunardi has BYU as a No. 6 and UNLV as an 11.
If the teams reach the MWC tourney title game again, will they be duly rewarded? One can only hope.
If BYU finishes 28-6 and lands lower than a No. 6, it'll be travishamockery. A six seed gives the Cougars a great chance to win one and very possibly two games in the Big Dance. Any lower (or higher, depending on how you look at it) and it's likely another first-round disappointment or at best, one-and-done.
For the record, I think the upsets of Championship Week will leave only two MWC teams in the NCAA field. Certainly one of those will be BYU, but whether the committee honors the Cougars' solid RPI, national ranking and outstanding record remains to be seen.
The Travis Hansen-led Cougars of 2002-03 had a solid record, a great RPI and hopes of a single-digit seed. They wound up a No. 12 and lost a close game to defending national champ Connecticut. A year later, a similar record and RPI left BYU as a No. 12 facing defending champ Syracuse.
The committee has a history of underseeding BYU by four or five spots. One can only hope this year will be different.
Then the CBS Selection Show began. When UNLV rolled across as a No. 7, shock showed on the Rebels' faces. And BYU's hopes of a good seed were instantly dashed. Minutes later, the Cougars scrolled across as a No. 8 seed facing No. 8 Xavier.
Will this year bring more of the same? Once again, BYU and UNLV are the MWC's two best teams. Both are projected as tournament teams. Lunardi has BYU as a No. 6 and UNLV as an 11.
If the teams reach the MWC tourney title game again, will they be duly rewarded? One can only hope.
If BYU finishes 28-6 and lands lower than a No. 6, it'll be travishamockery. A six seed gives the Cougars a great chance to win one and very possibly two games in the Big Dance. Any lower (or higher, depending on how you look at it) and it's likely another first-round disappointment or at best, one-and-done.
For the record, I think the upsets of Championship Week will leave only two MWC teams in the NCAA field. Certainly one of those will be BYU, but whether the committee honors the Cougars' solid RPI, national ranking and outstanding record remains to be seen.
The Travis Hansen-led Cougars of 2002-03 had a solid record, a great RPI and hopes of a single-digit seed. They wound up a No. 12 and lost a close game to defending national champ Connecticut. A year later, a similar record and RPI left BYU as a No. 12 facing defending champ Syracuse.
The committee has a history of underseeding BYU by four or five spots. One can only hope this year will be different.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Some new lingo for BYU hoops
A new word is suddenly part of the BYU basketball vocabulary. It's being thrown around often these days, as if it's use isn't foreign to the Cougar cagers.
Twice in the last week, BYU starters uttered the word in postgame comments.
The word?
April.
BYU basketball and April. In the same sentence.
Yes, the Cougars believe they'll be playing in April. And that means one of two things: Making the NCAA Final Four or making the NIT Final Four. And you know which one the Cougars mean.
Jonathan Tavernari and Sam Burgess believe. They're the recent culprits of dropping "playing well in April" into everyday conversations. They think it can happen.
Do you?
It's OK if you're not convinced. After all, this is a program that hasn't won a single NCAA game since 1993. But if BYU can win out and garner at No. 6 seed, it's conceivable to see the Cougars reach the Sweet 16. From there, anything can happen.
So in honor of the Cougars looking to a bright new future that includes April, The CougarZone is looking to the past. Through the Final Four, we offer you the chance to vote for you favorite Cougar greats of the last 20 years or so. At all five positions, pick your favorite. It's not necessarily the best the player at each spot, just your personal fave.
So vote. And believe.
BYU and April. Sounds like a winning combination.
Twice in the last week, BYU starters uttered the word in postgame comments.
The word?
April.
BYU basketball and April. In the same sentence.
Yes, the Cougars believe they'll be playing in April. And that means one of two things: Making the NCAA Final Four or making the NIT Final Four. And you know which one the Cougars mean.
Jonathan Tavernari and Sam Burgess believe. They're the recent culprits of dropping "playing well in April" into everyday conversations. They think it can happen.
Do you?
It's OK if you're not convinced. After all, this is a program that hasn't won a single NCAA game since 1993. But if BYU can win out and garner at No. 6 seed, it's conceivable to see the Cougars reach the Sweet 16. From there, anything can happen.
So in honor of the Cougars looking to a bright new future that includes April, The CougarZone is looking to the past. Through the Final Four, we offer you the chance to vote for you favorite Cougar greats of the last 20 years or so. At all five positions, pick your favorite. It's not necessarily the best the player at each spot, just your personal fave.
So vote. And believe.
BYU and April. Sounds like a winning combination.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
How will it end?
Someday, Danny Ainge's coast-to-coast, buzzer-beating lay-in over the outstretched arms of Orlando Woolridge might have some competition as far as being the best the highlight in BYU's NCAA Tournament history.
Someday.
Could that come this year?
Maybe. But first, BYU has to make the tournament field, and second, the Cougars need to get their first first-round victory since a 1993 triumph over SMU as a No. 7 seed. (The Cougars lost to No. 2 seed Kansas in the second round that year).
While BYU's recent NCAA success has been lacking and the Cougars are only 11-25 in 22 tourney trips, the last few visits have had the boys in blue on the cusp.
In 2003, the Cougars nearly beat defending national champion Connecticut before falling 58-53. The next year in Denver, BYU had another defending NCAA champ on the ropes, leading Syracuse by double figures in the first half behind the surprising 3-point shooting of Luiz Lemes and Mike Hall. But Gerry McNamara had the game of his life with 43 points and nine treys as the Orangemen rallied for an 80-75 win.
Last year's trip saw BYU falter down the stretch in a 79-77 loss Xavier in an 8-9 game. But the seed was the Cougars' highest since 1995. And it came with a 25-8 record. This year's squad is on pace for a 25-6 regular season (if they go 7-1 in MWC's second half with a predicted loss at San Diego State). Winning the conference tourney in Vegas would mean a 28-6 record, but more likely is reaching the finals and losing to UNLV.
Where would a 27-7 BYU be seeded? Despite playing more big-name teams this year, the Cougars' schedule strength isn't impressive overall. And the road losses at Boise State and Wake Forest will knock BYU down a rung or two, even with a solid run down the stretch in conference play.
BYU is destined for a double-digit seed, but the Cougars have played tough as a No. 12 seed in recent NCAA visits as mentioned above. The key to winning as an 11 or 12 seed is the play of Trent Plaisted and Jonathan Tavernari. Both are explosive but inconsistent. I wouldn't count on JT being on fire the NCAAs, so Plaisted will have to score inside to complement Lee Cummard and the steady but unspectacular Sam Burgess. If that happens, BYU has a chance. If JT is hitting, BYU reaches the second round and possibly the second week.
The last time that happened?
Yep, 1981. Danny Ainge and company beat Princeton and UCLA the first week, topped Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 and fell to Virginia in the Elite 8.
Not much has been Elite about BYU basketball since. But that could change this year.
That is, if the Cougars are living right. Because if they are, Magic Happens.
Even in March.
Someday.
Could that come this year?
Maybe. But first, BYU has to make the tournament field, and second, the Cougars need to get their first first-round victory since a 1993 triumph over SMU as a No. 7 seed. (The Cougars lost to No. 2 seed Kansas in the second round that year).
While BYU's recent NCAA success has been lacking and the Cougars are only 11-25 in 22 tourney trips, the last few visits have had the boys in blue on the cusp.
In 2003, the Cougars nearly beat defending national champion Connecticut before falling 58-53. The next year in Denver, BYU had another defending NCAA champ on the ropes, leading Syracuse by double figures in the first half behind the surprising 3-point shooting of Luiz Lemes and Mike Hall. But Gerry McNamara had the game of his life with 43 points and nine treys as the Orangemen rallied for an 80-75 win.
Last year's trip saw BYU falter down the stretch in a 79-77 loss Xavier in an 8-9 game. But the seed was the Cougars' highest since 1995. And it came with a 25-8 record. This year's squad is on pace for a 25-6 regular season (if they go 7-1 in MWC's second half with a predicted loss at San Diego State). Winning the conference tourney in Vegas would mean a 28-6 record, but more likely is reaching the finals and losing to UNLV.
Where would a 27-7 BYU be seeded? Despite playing more big-name teams this year, the Cougars' schedule strength isn't impressive overall. And the road losses at Boise State and Wake Forest will knock BYU down a rung or two, even with a solid run down the stretch in conference play.
BYU is destined for a double-digit seed, but the Cougars have played tough as a No. 12 seed in recent NCAA visits as mentioned above. The key to winning as an 11 or 12 seed is the play of Trent Plaisted and Jonathan Tavernari. Both are explosive but inconsistent. I wouldn't count on JT being on fire the NCAAs, so Plaisted will have to score inside to complement Lee Cummard and the steady but unspectacular Sam Burgess. If that happens, BYU has a chance. If JT is hitting, BYU reaches the second round and possibly the second week.
The last time that happened?
Yep, 1981. Danny Ainge and company beat Princeton and UCLA the first week, topped Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 and fell to Virginia in the Elite 8.
Not much has been Elite about BYU basketball since. But that could change this year.
That is, if the Cougars are living right. Because if they are, Magic Happens.
Even in March.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Spring fever defined
About this time of year, the sun will come out, the temps will hit the 40s and suddenly people are swept up with Spring Fever.
But just what is Spring Fever?
It's a synonym for March Madness.
Those feelings up euphoria, excitement and energy are not derived from the prospect of warmer weather but from the holiday of hoops that awaits us.
Three of the best days of the year will arrive March 13-15 in the form of the Mountain West Conference tournament. The following Thursday through Saturday is simply the greatest three days in sports each year. (I'd say four days, but Cougar fans don't watch on the Sabbath, right.)
The NCAA tournament is easily the greatest event in sports. Yes, better than the Super Bowl, the college bowl season, the World Cup, the NBA Finals or anything else. By far.
(Note: While I go nuts for Cougar football, my enthusiasm in highest in July and August. By bowl season, my Cougar grid appetite is not nearly as ravenous, especially in a meaningless bowl game.)
Those first three (or four) days of wall-to-wall hoops should be proclaimed national holidays. When at BYU, I would walk campus with my handheld TV glued to CBS. As a teacher at the MTC, I would slip out of the classroom to the teacher break room and break out the TV for an update.
At hour, it was all hoops.
Twice I have attended the tourney in person (once in Denver when the Cougars lost a heartbreak to Gerry McNamara and Syracuse and once in Salt Lake City. Both are experiences not to be forgotten.
First-round upsets. Double-overtime thrillers. Memorable moments galore.
You can't be it.
With BYU on pace for the most wins in school history (I project a 25-6 regular season, a loss to UNLV in the conference tourney finals (27-7) and one win at the NCAA tourney for a 28-8 final mark), this will be a March to remember.
Can't wait.
But just what is Spring Fever?
It's a synonym for March Madness.
Those feelings up euphoria, excitement and energy are not derived from the prospect of warmer weather but from the holiday of hoops that awaits us.
Three of the best days of the year will arrive March 13-15 in the form of the Mountain West Conference tournament. The following Thursday through Saturday is simply the greatest three days in sports each year. (I'd say four days, but Cougar fans don't watch on the Sabbath, right.)
The NCAA tournament is easily the greatest event in sports. Yes, better than the Super Bowl, the college bowl season, the World Cup, the NBA Finals or anything else. By far.
(Note: While I go nuts for Cougar football, my enthusiasm in highest in July and August. By bowl season, my Cougar grid appetite is not nearly as ravenous, especially in a meaningless bowl game.)
Those first three (or four) days of wall-to-wall hoops should be proclaimed national holidays. When at BYU, I would walk campus with my handheld TV glued to CBS. As a teacher at the MTC, I would slip out of the classroom to the teacher break room and break out the TV for an update.
At hour, it was all hoops.
Twice I have attended the tourney in person (once in Denver when the Cougars lost a heartbreak to Gerry McNamara and Syracuse and once in Salt Lake City. Both are experiences not to be forgotten.
First-round upsets. Double-overtime thrillers. Memorable moments galore.
You can't be it.
With BYU on pace for the most wins in school history (I project a 25-6 regular season, a loss to UNLV in the conference tourney finals (27-7) and one win at the NCAA tourney for a 28-8 final mark), this will be a March to remember.
Can't wait.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Much needed life for Cougar Cagers
There the Cougars were. A record of 10-2. A spot in the national rankings.
Then came the first major dent in the resume. A 73-70 road loss to Boise State.
Then the wind went out of the Cougars' sails with a 17-point embarrassment against an average ACC squad in Wake Forest.
Finally, the Y hit rock bottom. A 70-41 road loss at UNLV. That 10-2 record a thing of the past, BYU found itself losers of three out of five games. The bandwagon fans were long gone. The Cougar faithful found their enthusiasm waning.
How soon is football season?
Not so fast my friends.
Saturday's 55-52 road win at Utah breathed some much-needed life into the Cougars' game. The road losing skid was haulted. And a favorable Mountain West stretch awaits.
If the Cougars can sweep San Diego State and New Mexico at home this week and beat Air Force and cellar-dwellar Wyoming on the road, they'll be 6-1 in conference and 17-5 overall. A home win over TCU and a road win over a bad CSU squad would make that 8-1 and 19-5.
Not too shabby.
If that plays out, BYU should be able to exact revenge on UNLV on Feb. 16 and complete a season sweep of Utah four days later.
So even if the Cougars stumble at SDSU or UNM late in the year, they would still be poised for a 13-3 league mark, which is probably go enough for the MWC title.
Considering the sad state of affairs after the UNLV debacle last week, that's a pretty decent forecast.
Now the Cougars just have to make it happen. But if they display the defense they showed at Utah, they'll be fine.
After all, BYU won while scoring just 55 points, getting only six points from Trent Plaisted, while Jonathan Tavernari had an oh-for-the-game shooting day.
Thank goodness for Lee Cummard's monster game and the timely 3-pointer shooting of Sam Burgess.
If Cummard continues his torrent pace and Plaisted and Taverani show more consistency, the Cougars could get back to the level of play displayed in late November and early December. And freshmen Jimmer Fredette and Chris Collinsworth are playing with more confidence and aggression each time out.
The pieces are in place one again.
All aboard the bandwagon.
Then came the first major dent in the resume. A 73-70 road loss to Boise State.
Then the wind went out of the Cougars' sails with a 17-point embarrassment against an average ACC squad in Wake Forest.
Finally, the Y hit rock bottom. A 70-41 road loss at UNLV. That 10-2 record a thing of the past, BYU found itself losers of three out of five games. The bandwagon fans were long gone. The Cougar faithful found their enthusiasm waning.
How soon is football season?
Not so fast my friends.
Saturday's 55-52 road win at Utah breathed some much-needed life into the Cougars' game. The road losing skid was haulted. And a favorable Mountain West stretch awaits.
If the Cougars can sweep San Diego State and New Mexico at home this week and beat Air Force and cellar-dwellar Wyoming on the road, they'll be 6-1 in conference and 17-5 overall. A home win over TCU and a road win over a bad CSU squad would make that 8-1 and 19-5.
Not too shabby.
If that plays out, BYU should be able to exact revenge on UNLV on Feb. 16 and complete a season sweep of Utah four days later.
So even if the Cougars stumble at SDSU or UNM late in the year, they would still be poised for a 13-3 league mark, which is probably go enough for the MWC title.
Considering the sad state of affairs after the UNLV debacle last week, that's a pretty decent forecast.
Now the Cougars just have to make it happen. But if they display the defense they showed at Utah, they'll be fine.
After all, BYU won while scoring just 55 points, getting only six points from Trent Plaisted, while Jonathan Tavernari had an oh-for-the-game shooting day.
Thank goodness for Lee Cummard's monster game and the timely 3-pointer shooting of Sam Burgess.
If Cummard continues his torrent pace and Plaisted and Taverani show more consistency, the Cougars could get back to the level of play displayed in late November and early December. And freshmen Jimmer Fredette and Chris Collinsworth are playing with more confidence and aggression each time out.
The pieces are in place one again.
All aboard the bandwagon.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Finding positives after defeat
BYU's 68-61 loss to No. 9 Michigan State on Saturday was one of the most disappointing Cougar defeats I have endured in a while. Yes, the Cougars were underdogs going in. Yes, the Spartans are a Top-10 team. And yes, the game wasn't at the Marriott Center. But this was a big one. A game to plant BYU firmly on the collegiate hoops' map in 2007-08 and possibly beyond.
Rankings, NCAA seeding and more were on the line. And with a huge first-half lead, things were looking good. But as soon as MSU trimmed a 14-point lead to 10 at intermission, I smelled trouble.
And while the Spartans were far from impressive in the first 20 minutes, they looked every bit a Big 10 champion after the break. Still, the Cougars had their chances. But much like the loss to No. 1 North Carolina, they just couldn't get the key shots to fall in the final minutes.
Saturday night was rough. But a couple days of perspective lead to the positives.
Here goes ...
1. BYU has played three Top 10 teams and played all three close, beating then-No. 6 Louisville. With no lopsided loss and plenty of lopsided wins, BYU resume is impressive.
2. Even with an off game from Jonathan Tavernari on Saturday, BYU still nearly beat MSU. Prior to the game, I felt J.T. needed to hit 4-5 treys for the Cougars to win. He went 2-for-6 from distance and 2 of 10 overall. Despite one of his worst outings (offensively and defensively), the Cougars were right there with five minutes to play.
2. Despite the defeat, the Cougars kept their spot in the Top 25, sitting at No. 25 in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls.
3. BYU's schedule sets up a 12-2 record heading into the Jan. 8 game in Winston-Salem, N.C. against Wake Forest. The Cougars should have no trouble in home wins over Lamar, Pepperdine, Southern Utah and Loyola Marymount. Add in a likely road win at Boise State and BYU should be sitting between Nos. 18-20 in the rankings when it faces the Deamon Deacons (and I'm not referring to the 12-year-olds in your ward). A win at Wake would set BYU up nicely heading into conference play.
4. All the Cougars' goals are still reachable. A Mountain West title and MWC tournament title are certainly achievable as is a run in the NCAA Tourney. The Sweet 16 is not out of question for this group. When Dave Rose took over for Steve Cleveland and proclaimed his goal was to win a national title, I laughed a bit. "BYU" and "national title" don't belong in the sentence when basketball is the topic. But watching the Cougars this year, Rose's lofty aspirations don't seem to crazy.
5. The Church is true. Now there's a reason to smile. No matter what happens on the hardwood.
Rankings, NCAA seeding and more were on the line. And with a huge first-half lead, things were looking good. But as soon as MSU trimmed a 14-point lead to 10 at intermission, I smelled trouble.
And while the Spartans were far from impressive in the first 20 minutes, they looked every bit a Big 10 champion after the break. Still, the Cougars had their chances. But much like the loss to No. 1 North Carolina, they just couldn't get the key shots to fall in the final minutes.
Saturday night was rough. But a couple days of perspective lead to the positives.
Here goes ...
1. BYU has played three Top 10 teams and played all three close, beating then-No. 6 Louisville. With no lopsided loss and plenty of lopsided wins, BYU resume is impressive.
2. Even with an off game from Jonathan Tavernari on Saturday, BYU still nearly beat MSU. Prior to the game, I felt J.T. needed to hit 4-5 treys for the Cougars to win. He went 2-for-6 from distance and 2 of 10 overall. Despite one of his worst outings (offensively and defensively), the Cougars were right there with five minutes to play.
2. Despite the defeat, the Cougars kept their spot in the Top 25, sitting at No. 25 in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls.
3. BYU's schedule sets up a 12-2 record heading into the Jan. 8 game in Winston-Salem, N.C. against Wake Forest. The Cougars should have no trouble in home wins over Lamar, Pepperdine, Southern Utah and Loyola Marymount. Add in a likely road win at Boise State and BYU should be sitting between Nos. 18-20 in the rankings when it faces the Deamon Deacons (and I'm not referring to the 12-year-olds in your ward). A win at Wake would set BYU up nicely heading into conference play.
4. All the Cougars' goals are still reachable. A Mountain West title and MWC tournament title are certainly achievable as is a run in the NCAA Tourney. The Sweet 16 is not out of question for this group. When Dave Rose took over for Steve Cleveland and proclaimed his goal was to win a national title, I laughed a bit. "BYU" and "national title" don't belong in the sentence when basketball is the topic. But watching the Cougars this year, Rose's lofty aspirations don't seem to crazy.
5. The Church is true. Now there's a reason to smile. No matter what happens on the hardwood.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Hoop dreams ... on Fully Invested
This week's Fully Invested audio show shifts gears a bit as we look at the No. 20 BYU basketball team's matchup with No. 9 Michigan State. But don't fret football fans, we also preview the Las Vegas Bowl contest with UCLA and take an early look at the 2008 BYU football season. Check back early next week as Fully Invested looks back at the MSU game and takes an in-depth look at the Cougars' bowl game.
To listen to this week's show, click the link below.
http://www.mediafire.com/?9ldggy00yjh
To listen to this week's show, click the link below.
http://www.mediafire.com/?9ldggy00yjh
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