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.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
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.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Not too shabby
So BYU finished No. 14 in the final Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches' polls. Not bad. Especially considering the Cougars were, well, fortunate to win their bowl game over a .500 team in UCLA.
Moving up five spots after a 17-16 win against the Bruins (note: insert a special thank you to Eathyn Manumaleunahere) is a pretty good result and reward.
The pieces are now in place for a solid start in 2008. But don't underestimate that road trip to the University of Washington in Week 2. The Cougars did that in 1996 and it cost them an undefeated season and Bowl Alliance berth. Yes, the Huskies were only 4-8 in 2007, but they led in almost every game, including against Ohio State, and were a few plays from finishing with a solid winning record. Just ask Hawaii, which rallied to edge UW in its regular-season finale.
One of our recent polls asked whether the BYU football or men's basketball team would finish with the higher national ranking. As things stand now, it looks like football is a virtual lock. BYU has few marquee basketball opportunities remaining on the season. Even a strong conference mark won't likely land the Cougars in the top 15.
So for now we enjoy a solid basketball season, hopefully avoid a first-round flop in the NCAA tourney (if BYU gets there) and then endure the long football offseason.
Hey, just over seven months to go until two-a-days.
Until then, let the hype machines start humming. And the Cougar Zone will do its part. This summer will roll out the Fully Invested audio show once again to help stave off the offseason boredom.
Moving up five spots after a 17-16 win against the Bruins (note: insert a special thank you to Eathyn Manumaleunahere) is a pretty good result and reward.
The pieces are now in place for a solid start in 2008. But don't underestimate that road trip to the University of Washington in Week 2. The Cougars did that in 1996 and it cost them an undefeated season and Bowl Alliance berth. Yes, the Huskies were only 4-8 in 2007, but they led in almost every game, including against Ohio State, and were a few plays from finishing with a solid winning record. Just ask Hawaii, which rallied to edge UW in its regular-season finale.
One of our recent polls asked whether the BYU football or men's basketball team would finish with the higher national ranking. As things stand now, it looks like football is a virtual lock. BYU has few marquee basketball opportunities remaining on the season. Even a strong conference mark won't likely land the Cougars in the top 15.
So for now we enjoy a solid basketball season, hopefully avoid a first-round flop in the NCAA tourney (if BYU gets there) and then endure the long football offseason.
Hey, just over seven months to go until two-a-days.
Until then, let the hype machines start humming. And the Cougar Zone will do its part. This summer will roll out the Fully Invested audio show once again to help stave off the offseason boredom.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Cougars need voters to have selective memory
Most folks seem to have a selective memory. I for one, can never seem to recall the four times my wife claims to have asked me to take out the trash. I'm now holding out hope that the writers of the college football preview magazines and the voters in next year's Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches' polls have selective memories as well.
Here's why:
BYU's postgame comments after the Las Vegas Bowl centered largely around next season. A BCS bowl is all the talk with nine starters back on offense and a decent group returning on defense. But starting high in the preseason polls could make or break the Cougars' 2008 postseason dream. Especially if next season includes a loss to either UCLA or Washington.
So here's what the Cougars need preview mag writers and poll voters to remember and to conveniently forget.
Remember: BYU beat UCLA in the Vegas Bowl.
Forget: BYU was more lucky than good in Vegas, winning just 17-16 against a 6-7 team thanks a blocked field goal on the final play of the game.
Remember: BYU finished the season 11-2 with a 10-game winning streak.
Forget: Most of that streak came against bad Mountain West teams and the Cougars are lucky the streak is alive after a miracle finish against the Bruins.
Remember: An offense loaded with underclassmen, including Max Hall, Austin Collie and Harvey Unga was good in 2007 and should be great in 2008.
Forget: Against UCLA, Unga went for just 16 yards on 17 carries behind a line unable to open holes and Hall looked quite average under center.
Remember: The Titans.
Forget: The Replacements. What a lame football movie.
Remember: BYU returns a talented stable of defensive lineman and some decent talent at linebacker.
Forget: The Cougars lose most of their secondary and their two best linebackers.
Remember: Bronco Mendenhall is 22-4 in the last two seasons.
Forget: The last three years of the Gary Crowton era.
With selective memory, BYU should land in the top 20 in both polls. Yes, the AP poll doesn't figure into the BCS standings, but it still plays a role. When the Harris poll comes out, its voters will surely mirror some of what they see in the other polls. If preview magazine writers focus on the nature of the UCLA bowl win, BYU won't be seen in an overly positive light and voters, who are influenced by Phil Steele, Athlon, Lindy's and the like, will land BYU in the back of the Top 25.
The difference between preseason No. 17 and preseason No. 23 could be huge in the BCS picture.
Oops, better go, the wife is saying something about a dishwasher I was supposed to unload. Funny, I don't remember that ...
Here's why:
BYU's postgame comments after the Las Vegas Bowl centered largely around next season. A BCS bowl is all the talk with nine starters back on offense and a decent group returning on defense. But starting high in the preseason polls could make or break the Cougars' 2008 postseason dream. Especially if next season includes a loss to either UCLA or Washington.
So here's what the Cougars need preview mag writers and poll voters to remember and to conveniently forget.
Remember: BYU beat UCLA in the Vegas Bowl.
Forget: BYU was more lucky than good in Vegas, winning just 17-16 against a 6-7 team thanks a blocked field goal on the final play of the game.
Remember: BYU finished the season 11-2 with a 10-game winning streak.
Forget: Most of that streak came against bad Mountain West teams and the Cougars are lucky the streak is alive after a miracle finish against the Bruins.
Remember: An offense loaded with underclassmen, including Max Hall, Austin Collie and Harvey Unga was good in 2007 and should be great in 2008.
Forget: Against UCLA, Unga went for just 16 yards on 17 carries behind a line unable to open holes and Hall looked quite average under center.
Remember: The Titans.
Forget: The Replacements. What a lame football movie.
Remember: BYU returns a talented stable of defensive lineman and some decent talent at linebacker.
Forget: The Cougars lose most of their secondary and their two best linebackers.
Remember: Bronco Mendenhall is 22-4 in the last two seasons.
Forget: The last three years of the Gary Crowton era.
With selective memory, BYU should land in the top 20 in both polls. Yes, the AP poll doesn't figure into the BCS standings, but it still plays a role. When the Harris poll comes out, its voters will surely mirror some of what they see in the other polls. If preview magazine writers focus on the nature of the UCLA bowl win, BYU won't be seen in an overly positive light and voters, who are influenced by Phil Steele, Athlon, Lindy's and the like, will land BYU in the back of the Top 25.
The difference between preseason No. 17 and preseason No. 23 could be huge in the BCS picture.
Oops, better go, the wife is saying something about a dishwasher I was supposed to unload. Funny, I don't remember that ...
Monday, December 17, 2007
Familiarity hurts in Vegas
Bowl week is here. But does anyone care? OK, that's an overstatement. Folks care. Cougar fans care.
But not as much as last year.
Why? There's simply a been-there-done-that feel to this year's Las Vegas Bowl. From the bowl itself to the opponent, a feeling of deja vu dominates the proceedings.
With BYU making a third straight trip to the Las Vegas, it's apparent the third time is not the charm. Tickets to the 2006 bowl game against Oregon were a tough buy. E-bay prices were through the roof and BYU's allotment was gone faster than you can say "Big-money Cougar Club members only."
This year, not so much. The Las Vegas Bowl is still a popular ticket, at least for BYU fans, but the BYU ticket office still had seats to sell this week.
And facing UCLA takes a bit more from the game's luster. While BYU fell 27-17 to the Bruins in September, the Cougars now are much different than the Cougars then. And today's depleted UCLA team is just a shadow of it's then-No. 13 self.
Will it be as lopsided as the Oregon blowout? Probably not. This could be a tight game going into the fourth quarter. But more than likely, BYU will beat a disinterested, coach-less Bruin squad by double figures.
Really, this game is all about next year. Preseason rankings rely heavily on the previous season's finish. If the Cougars want to be in the Top 20 next August, they need to win on Saturday. Impressively.
We will watch. We will care. But not quite as much as we could have. If Boise State was the foe, or Oregon State or some team not named UCLA, there would be plenty of energy in the air.
Instead, the fan focus is more on the BYU basketball team with its own Top 25 ranking. That's something to get excited about.
Too bad the same can't be said for the 2007 Las Vegas Bowl. Maybe on game day that will change.
Here's hoping.
But not as much as last year.
Why? There's simply a been-there-done-that feel to this year's Las Vegas Bowl. From the bowl itself to the opponent, a feeling of deja vu dominates the proceedings.
With BYU making a third straight trip to the Las Vegas, it's apparent the third time is not the charm. Tickets to the 2006 bowl game against Oregon were a tough buy. E-bay prices were through the roof and BYU's allotment was gone faster than you can say "Big-money Cougar Club members only."
This year, not so much. The Las Vegas Bowl is still a popular ticket, at least for BYU fans, but the BYU ticket office still had seats to sell this week.
And facing UCLA takes a bit more from the game's luster. While BYU fell 27-17 to the Bruins in September, the Cougars now are much different than the Cougars then. And today's depleted UCLA team is just a shadow of it's then-No. 13 self.
Will it be as lopsided as the Oregon blowout? Probably not. This could be a tight game going into the fourth quarter. But more than likely, BYU will beat a disinterested, coach-less Bruin squad by double figures.
Really, this game is all about next year. Preseason rankings rely heavily on the previous season's finish. If the Cougars want to be in the Top 20 next August, they need to win on Saturday. Impressively.
We will watch. We will care. But not quite as much as we could have. If Boise State was the foe, or Oregon State or some team not named UCLA, there would be plenty of energy in the air.
Instead, the fan focus is more on the BYU basketball team with its own Top 25 ranking. That's something to get excited about.
Too bad the same can't be said for the 2007 Las Vegas Bowl. Maybe on game day that will change.
Here's hoping.
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.
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