I wasn't worried but now I am - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

K-dog · 12-06-2007, 03:25 PM

After watching Louisville and UNC games I was sure we would be Michigan St. Now, after watching the Portland and Weber State games I'm worried.

BYU plays pretty tight basketball when they are focused. Hopefully they will be focused against Michigan St. They were not against Weber and Portland. They took bad shots, were lazy about getting the ball into the post, failed to execute their secondary break often, etc. I'm a bit worried.

I'm optimistic because I, as opposed to many, like the physical nature of MSU for this team. Plaisted likes to mix it up. That is why he had one of his best games last year against MSU. Burgess, Murdock, and Cummard also do well in physical games. The perimeter pressure might give them troubles but, because they can get into the offense with JT beyond the 3 point line it shouldn't be as much as a problem as it was last year. Keena was no threat out there. Bottom line though, we need to be strong with the ball.

Against MSU, I hope we see a lot of touches for TP in the first 10 minutes. He doesn't need a lot of points for us to be doing well but he does need a lot of touches and good decision making.

We also can't have Lee in foul trouble. I hope Rose makes some different decisions if JT can't guard the 4. I hope we see Collinsworth earlier so Lee isn't stuck guarding a bigger stronger 4. Using Collinsworth more against UNC could have helped us down the stretch. We are worse offensively but, if they aren't doubling TP, we have enough firepower.

Indy Coug · 12-06-2007, 03:26 PM

Be that as it may, BYU had doubled up both Weber and Portland 20 to 25 minutes into the game.

K-dog · 12-06-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Be that as it may, BYU had doubled up both Weber and Portland 20 to 25 minutes into the game.

True. BYU having a bad night can destroy a bottom 1/3 NCAA team this year. That is far better than in the past where they would lose with the effor they gave at Portland.

jay santos · 12-06-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Be that as it may, BYU had doubled up both Weber and Portland 20 to 25 minutes into the game.

It's hard to stay focused when you're up 20 in the first half.

Indy Coug · 12-06-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-dog

True. BYU having a bad night can destroy a bottom 1/3 NCAA team this year. That is far better than in the past where they would lose with the effor they gave at Portland.

Like Lamar 2006

K-dog · 12-06-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Like Lamar 2006

Lamar and Boise St.

cougjunkie · 12-06-2007, 03:36 PM

I think the only possible downfall to this team is that they can win handily and not play well. They are that talented, where they can struggle offensively and defensively but still blow teams out. This may come back to bite them in the ass.

BlueK · 12-07-2007, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-dog

Lamar and Boise St.

and while we beat Idaho State at home in OT last year and SJSU, those were also two of BYU's worst played games last year despite winning. This year's team is clearly way ahead of last year's.

12-06-2007, 03:25 PM	#1
K-dog Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 699	I wasn't worried but now I am After watching Louisville and UNC games I was sure we would be Michigan St. Now, after watching the Portland and Weber State games I'm worried. BYU plays pretty tight basketball when they are focused. Hopefully they will be focused against Michigan St. They were not against Weber and Portland. They took bad shots, were lazy about getting the ball into the post, failed to execute their secondary break often, etc. I'm a bit worried. I'm optimistic because I, as opposed to many, like the physical nature of MSU for this team. Plaisted likes to mix it up. That is why he had one of his best games last year against MSU. Burgess, Murdock, and Cummard also do well in physical games. The perimeter pressure might give them troubles but, because they can get into the offense with JT beyond the 3 point line it shouldn't be as much as a problem as it was last year. Keena was no threat out there. Bottom line though, we need to be strong with the ball. Against MSU, I hope we see a lot of touches for TP in the first 10 minutes. He doesn't need a lot of points for us to be doing well but he does need a lot of touches and good decision making. We also can't have Lee in foul trouble. I hope Rose makes some different decisions if JT can't guard the 4. I hope we see Collinsworth earlier so Lee isn't stuck guarding a bigger stronger 4. Using Collinsworth more against UNC could have helped us down the stretch. We are worse offensively but, if they aren't doubling TP, we have enough firepower. __________________ He's down by the creek, walkin' on water. K-dog P.S. Grrrrrrrrr

12-06-2007, 03:36 PM	#7
cougjunkie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 5,741	I think the only possible downfall to this team is that they can win handily and not play well. They are that talented, where they can struggle offensively and defensively but still blow teams out. This may come back to bite them in the ass. __________________ LINCECUM!

12-06-2007, 03:26 PM	#2
Indy Coug Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Between Iraq and a hard place Posts: 7,569	Be that as it may, BYU had doubled up both Weber and Portland 20 to 25 minutes into the game.