Actually, if you listened to the A$M postgame interviews on the radio, the coach said they saw that in all BYU's games against BYU's opponents they doubled down on defense. So, they were expecting the three to be open, and planned for it. The A$M coach also said that they ran some sets and plays they hadn't all year. Further, their player said he was rather surprised to see how open he was early on. It sounded like we were very predictable from listening to their interviews.

So, yes, BYU took a calculated risk to make the Aggies shoot from outside, and early on left him open. From listening to the post-game, it sounds like BYU was outcoached in this one. Perhaps the only good move Rose made was bringing in Jimmer.

Go Cougs!!!!!!!!!

Stallone wrote:

Gunk wrote:

We beat ourselves. They fact one player scored nearly half their points shows that. We should have contained him.

Poor rebounding on our part shows a lack of hussle, aggressiveness, and fundamentals. These guys know how to box out. They've been taught how to do it since they were 8 years old. Whether they decide to actually do what they were taught is a mental decision on their part.

We beat ourselves. A&M did not dazzle us. There were no heroic efforts. They played solid fundamental basketball and beat a team that was sitting on their heals.

Carter's 26 is closer to a 1/3 of their points rather than half. He also shot 62% from the field. I'm sure Dave Rose said, Lets leave open the guy who led the country in 3 point shooting last year... He had his 2nd best game point wise in 4 years of collegiate basketball.

You will never hear any of the BYU players say they beat themselves after this game. But you will hear them all say, I mentally chose not to box out. Listen to sports radio on any station tomorrow, and you won't hear a single person say they beat themselves.

Did you read Lee's comments after the game? Certainly sounds like they didn't come at with all they got.

Sure he "credits" A&M, but in the same breath he says "we're a better team." Yes, A&M played well, but that game was in our grasp. We just couldn't squeeze tight enough.

Carter had a "career" night, but we let him. He had way too many uncontested shots. The puts 20 points on the board, but still we leave him wide open? You'd think we would have learned our lesson when we played UNLV. That's just lazy defense. Rose should have adjusted to slow Carter down and the players should have stayed on him.

imuakahuku wrote:

I would just like to know why BYU doesn't play the way they do all year? There was almost no attempt at dribble penetration to open up uncontested three's. They just passed the ball around the perimeter and there would not be a great option on the outside. Of course when there was an open three it was missed too. But I have to say that I think Rose needs to take a page out of Bronco's book and challenge or command or whatever it takes, but make the players practice free throws until their arms fall off. If they would have made just two or three more then they would have probably been tied at the end not needing to take desparation shots or foul the other team. Three's are a streak shot whereas free throws should be almost automatic. Free throw are like field goals in football. If it's a blowout then so what but in a close game they can easily lead to a win or a loss (if you miss).

As for Plaisted, he needs to practice going left and hooking with the right. He also needs to practice doing a duck under from both moves. That would give him four options and he would be unstoppable (except that he would get fouled and miss half of them).

I agree. Byu is a team with a bunch of spot up shooters. The only way to free them up is by penetration. When we dont penetrate, we end up swinging the ball back and forth around the perimeter. Why do you think BYU has so many dry spells throughout the game?? Go back and watch the games where we score 70-80 and you will see that it all starts with penetration. That was our weakest area this year. We didn't have a guard that could get past his guy and break a defense down. Fredette came on strong at the end, but because he was a freshman he mostly played like he didn't know what he was allowed to do. If the offense was ran through him and he penetrated more I guarantee you would have seen a team that would be playing UCLA today. I think that is the piece of the puzzle they will be able to fill next year. Byu will be back and will win a game in the tournament next year. Watch and see....

Anybody have TP's phone number--he's from Texas right? I'll have him come to my court and we can work on some low post moves and a 10-ft jumper over the summer. I'll also get him to straighten that elbow out on those Shaq-esque "free" throws. I'm telling you, if he comes back next year and has the same "arsenal" IOW, drive left and throw up an ugly hook and never follow the shot, then he will have earned the title of biggest disappointment in BYU b-ball history.

We've discussed his game all year and thoroughly criticized it. Now in his final summer before playing in his final season prior to potentially achieving his goals of being in the NBA, let's see how much he improves his game and becomes the dominating force so many people think he already is. TP is welcome to come to my pad anytime he likes

One consistant over the last couple of years is we are not a good tournament team. That's one thing Rose needs to figure out. Some teams have it and we don't. No matter how well we do next year you can expect another tough 8 - 9 seed with a difficult matchup. I'm not saying there's a conspiricy but we just need to prove we can win before we'll get any respect.

cougarfan144 wrote:

We lost to a team that won't shoot 30% from 3 point range in its next game because it will be on its heels. The very reason they beat us was confidence. They were never intimidated by us. The same can't be said of us tonight.
On the flip side, if you watch A&M on Saturday, they will look very much like we did today.

Well you were right about A&M's 3-point percentage but were off on everything else. A&M played with great confidence against a much more talented UCLA team and unfortunately lost in the final 10 seconds - not exactly back "on its heels."

Two games in a row and their coach has had them well prepared to face their opponent and made adjustments in the game to stay competitive. I like Rose but I'm still not sold on his ability to recognize the need for mid-game adjustments or properly communicate that to the team. I do have great hope that he improves in that area because it's the only way we'll be able to have tournament success.