BYU Cougars
West Coast (25-9, 13-5)
This was not a great season by BYU standards and it did not take very long for the Cougars to disappear off of the national radar. However, their three non-conference losses to San Diego State, Purdue and Utah do not look all that bad in retrospect. They did take the Aztecs to double overtime, the Boilermakers to overtime and lost to Utah by just four points, making those non-conference losses seem even better.
Big Wins: 12/20 Stanford (79-77), 2/12 St. Mary’s (82-60), 2/28 at Gonzaga (73-70)
Bad Losses: 1/8 Pepperdine (61-67), 1/24 at San Diego (74-77), 2/5 at Pepperdine (74-80)
Coach: Dave Rose
Why They Can Surprise:
The Cougars work through the backcourt duo of Tyler Haws and Kyle Collinsworth. Haws is one of the best pure scorers in the nation and is averaging 21.9 points per game. He is a capable shooter, but his shot does not have to be falling for him to score 30 points in a game. Only once this season has Haws failed to reach double digits in the scoring column. However, he has not scored over 30 points since December 2nd, but has been amazingly consistent scoring around 20 to 28 points. Collinsworth averages 14.0 points per game, but his team high 5.8 assists, 8.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals are what make him so special. He has recorded an amazing, record setting six triple-doubles on the season. While those two steal the headlines, and rightfully so, Anson Winder and Chase Fischer have put together solid seasons as well. Winder has been moved to the bench for the most part, but has been much more consistent during his senior season. Fischer stepped right in after transferring from Wake Forest and became BYU’s top three-point threat.
Why They Can Disappoint:
A December injury to forward Nate Austin really hurt this team. His senior leadership in the frontcourt has been greatly missed. While Austin was never a big scoring threat, he did do the dirty work in the paint. Now the frontcourt must rely on Josh Sharp, Luke Worthington and freshmen Corbin Kaufusi and Ryan Andrus. None of those players average over 16 minutes per game. The team as a whole is solid on the glass, in large part thanks to Collinsworth, but the frontcourt needs to do more to at least be a threat to score.
Probable Starters:
Kyle Collinsworth, Junior, Guard, 14.0 ppg, 5.8 apg, 8.7 rpg
Tyler Haws, Senior, Guard, 21.9 ppg, 2.3 apg, 4.4 rpg
Chase Fischer, Junior, Guard, 12.9 ppg, 2.0 apg
Josh Sharp, Senior, Forward, 1.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Corbin Kaufusi, Freshman, Center, 3.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Ryan Andrus, Freshman, Forward, 1.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg
Frank Bartley, Sophomore, Guard, 2.4 ppg, 1.2 apg
Skyler Halford, Senior, Guard, 8.7 ppg, 2.3 apg
Anson Winder, Senior, Guard, 13.1 ppg, 1.9 apg
Luke Worthington, Sophomore, Forward, 1.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 83.8 (2nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 72.1 (304, 10)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.6 (49, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.2 (186.7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.4 (23, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.5 (35, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 76.8 (5, 1)
Rebound Margin: 5.0 (33, 3)
Assists Per Game: 16.9 (5, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.7 (84, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NCAA Second Round loss to Oregon
2013 NIT First Round win over Washington
2013 NIT Second Round win over Mercer
2013 NIT Quarterfinal win over Southern Mississippi
2013 NIT Semifinal loss to Baylor
2012 NCAA First Round win over Iona
2012 NCAA Second Round loss to Marquette
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Wofford
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Gonzaga
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Florida
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Florida
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Kansas State
2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Texas A&M
2008 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Texas A&M
2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Xavier
*all team stats through 3/8
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
