Brigham Young Cougars
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #34
Conference Rank: #2 West Coast
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BYU missed out on the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time in seven years. They could start a new streak this year, but there is work for Coach Dave Rose to do, especially in the frontcourt. However, with the dynamic scoring threat of 6-5 guard Tyler Haws, the Cougars can make a serious run for a WCC championship. Haws averaged 21.7 points per game in 2012-2013. He came back from his mission and had an absolutely amazing sophomore season. Haws is a capable outside shooter, yet he does most of his scoring inside the arc and at the charity stripe.
2012-13 Record: 24-12, 10-6
2012-13 Postseason: NIT
Coach: Dave Rose
Coach Record: 209-66 at BYU, 209-66 overall
Who’s Out:
The most significant loss for the Cougars is forward Brandon Davies. The 6-8 forward took over the team after Jimmer Fredette left and did a very good job, averaging 17.7 points and 8.0 rebounds. With Davies always threatening to score in the paint, it really opened up room for players like Haws to get to the basket. Ian Harward, Agustin Ambrosino and Bronson Kaufusi did not play much, but they did give Coach Rose some depth in the paint. Raul Delgado, Cory Calvert, Craig Cusick and Brock Zylstra will not suit up on the perimeter. Cusick stepped into a starting role late last season and could at least hit a three-pointer or two. Zylstra, a 6-6 wing, did a bit of everything and his absence will be felt even if his 7.6 points per game will be relatively easy to replace.
Who’s In:
The hope is Eric Mika and Luke Worthington can help replace Davies production in the paint. Mika has the talent and strength to step right into the starting lineup. The 6-9, 220 pound Alpine, Utah native is a tough interior scorer, a solid rebounder and will be a serious shot blocking threat from day one. Worthington may need some time before he finds himself playing too many minutes, but he is a big 6-9, 240 pound forward and Coach Rose will give him an opportunity to crack the regular rotation. On the perimeter the big need is shooters. Frank Barley IV, an incoming freshman, is a good scorer, but junior college transfer Skyler Halford is ready to go right now. Halford can knock down the long ball with consistency, yet he can also run the point. Having an extra ball handler and another shooter on the floor will be huge for BYU and Halford has the versatility to play anywhere on the perimeter.
Who to Watch:
Haws will be the leader of the backcourt, but he will get plenty of help from Matt Carlino, Kyle Collinsworth and Anson Winder. Carlino has not been the most consistent player at BYU, yet he still averaged 11.5 points and 4.8 assists. Carlino is a superb talent who can shoot his team back into games. He can also shoot way too much and waste possessions. Carlino can also waste possessions with turnovers. The addition of Halford and the return of Collinsworth will take the pressure off of Carlino when it comes to handling the ball. Collinsworth was a starter a couple years back and is back from his mission. The hope is Collinsworth can make a similar return as Haws did last season. The 6-6 guard is an effective slasher and a fine rebounding guard. It is his ability to handle the ball that could prove to be most important on a team that wants to take better care of the ball. Winder saw his minutes decrease as last season went on and he could be stuck down the bench a ways this time around too. He is an experienced guard and could play an important role off of the bench if his shot starts falling.
Final Projection:
The backcourt will be very good and the difference between another trip to the NIT and getting back to the NCAA Tournament will be the play of the frontcourt. Mika and Worthington will have to be ready as freshmen and Nate Austin and Josh Sharp will be asked to increase their production. Austin, a 6-11 junior, has plenty of potential. He is a strong rebounder and a decent interior defender. The Cougars need him to average more than 3.6 points though. Sharp was a starter for most of last season, yet lost that job at the end of the year in part due to an injury. Nevertheless, Sharp is a good glue guy who can do the dirty work in the paint. BYU still needs to find a frontcourt scorer though.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Matt Carlino, Junior, Guard, 11.5 points per game
Tyler Haws, Junior, Guard, 21.7 points per game
Kyle Collinsworth, Sophomore, Guard, DNP last season
Eric Mika, Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
Nate Austin, Junior, Forward, 3.6 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.1 (12th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.5 (248, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.7 (57, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.1 (136, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.9 (190, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.8 (172, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.8 (60, 1)
Rebound Margin: 3.9 (61, 3)
Assists Per Game: 16.0 (13, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.0 (67, 3)
Madness 2013 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#39 Eric Mika
#71 Nick Emery
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