Hoopsters gear up for BYU
Expectations abound in the matchup between Utah State and BYU. The Cougars are looking to get on track after a tough opening schedule and the Aggies are looking for some stability at the guard position.
The 3-1 Aggies play the 1-3 Cougars at 7:05 in the Spectrum Wednesday night.
The Cougar’s record may be a bit misleading. Utah State Head Coach Stew Morrill said the Cougars aren’t struggling.
“There’s a lot of people in the country that would be really struggling playing North Carolina and two PAC-10 [teams],” Morrill said.
The Aggies, meanwhile, are still trying to figure out what their team is all about, Morrill said. The most notable point of question is the guard play. Both the offensive and defensive aspects of the game are important, Morrill said.
“We’re starting a freshman and a junior college player that is playing out of position,” Morrill said. “We’ve got to get some scoring from the guard position but the biggest thing that concerns me is trying to guard quick athletic guards and trying to guard experienced guards.”
Morrill said the key to the perimeter defense is that the guards need to be able to pressure people without having guys go by them.
Another important perimeter point is that David Pak needs to remember he’s a good shooter, Morrill added. Pak’s mind is cluttered with everything he’s been asked to do playing the point.
While the Aggies’ question mark is at the guard position, Mike Hall is BYU’s leading scorer playing at small forward. Hall averages 13.5 points per game and is an all-around player according to Morrill.
“He can shoot threes, he can drive by you, he’s so athletic. He can post up and he’s really good on the offensive boards,” Morrill said. “Our three-men have a tremendous challenge guarding him.”
Hall may be the biggest threat from the Cougars. but Morrill said the big men for BYU are big and can play. Cougar center Jared Jensen is playing around the basket more and may demand double teams at times, Morrill said. Besides Jensen the Cougars have Derek Dawes, Trent Plaisted, Chris Miles, and David Burgess coming off the bench.
“Rebounding in both these games is really important,” Morrill said. “We have experienced post guys that I expect to play well.”
While the game will be decided on the court, the fans in the stands like to think they have a say in the outcome. Morrill said fan support is party responsible for Utah State’s stellar home record, but he said they have to have good teams to win at home.
“It’s a special place to play with the people right on top of you,” Morrill said of the Spectrum. “Borderline insanity is what I basically like. Go right up to the edge but don’t go over the edge, because then we look bad.”
Morrill said last year’s crowd participation was unbelievable but he said it may have come from having one of the most successful seasons in school history and being nationally ranked.
“Everybody loves a winner,” Morrill said, “but when you’re not as good you need the crowd more.”
-krn@cc.usu.edu