Dickson: Tavernari provides bang for BYU PDF Print E-mail
JaredLloyd  |  Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 11:53 pm
The long, long, long ... long, long winning streak the Utes had over the Cougars in Salt Lake City went out not with a bang, but a whimper.

But I suppose that depends on what side of the arena you’re sitting on.
BYU fans will savor this one, even if it does come in down year for the Utes. BYU SHOULD have beaten Utah on Wednesday — the Cougars are simply a better team.

So, re-write: “The long, long, long ... long, long winning streak the Utes had over the Cougars in Salt Lake City went out with a bang, not a whimper.”

A “bang” would indicate “expressiveness,” and if that’s what you’re wanting, look no further than BYU freshman Jonathan Tavernari.

There’s plenty of credit to go around for Wednesday’s convincing 76-66 BYU victory, from a very good game plan by the coaches, to Keena Young’s 21 points (Utah couldn’t guard him) to Jimmy Balderson’s hot shooting at the beginning the second half to Gavin McGregor’s solid and unexpected play off the bench.

But every one of the 12,244 fans in the Huntsman Center was watching Tavernari.

No. 45 put on a show.

He looked lost early in the season; most freshmen do.

But when he got it, boy, did he get it.

There was an 18-point outburst against TCU, and 12 more against Wyoming, then 18 on the road at New Mexico. On Wednesday night, Tavernari scored 17 points — a good game, but it was the way the Brazilian sensation scored them that shows such a bright promise for the future.

Dude has some flair to his game.

My first chance to see Tavernari came during his junior year of high school at Provo’s Timpview High. I watched him numerous times and these were my thoughts: Nice court sense, excellent passer, very good rebounder — and a shot selection somewhere between World B. Free (old school reference) and Allen Iverson.

His visa only allowed him to play in Utah for one year, so he ended up in Las Vegas at private school power Bishop Gorman. He led the state of Nevada in scoring but when BYU signed him, I wasn’t sure he would be able to make an impact right away.

Hey, even I can admit when I’m wrong.

He scored eight straight points upon coming into the Utah game, turning a 17-15 deficit to a 23-19 lead, but he saved his best for the second half. Utah had scored a couple of baskets to cut what was once a 13-point lead to seven.

Then it was showtime — or in Portuguese, “tempo de espectaculo.”

Tavernari whipped a pass from the top of the key to Jimmy Balderson for a layup, then followed that up with a nifty drive of his own. Starting a the 3-point circle, Tavernari drove down the middle, faked a pass and scored a sweet scoop shot.

Then, moments later, Tavernari drilled a 3, followed by a soft-as-church-music fall away jumper. On Utah’s offensive possession, Tavernari stole the ball and cruised in for a dunk.

Just like that, 62-44 BYU, 10 minutes left, ball game. That pesky 13-year drought in the Huntsman Center is over.

The freshman from Sao Bernardo may yet play a key role if BYU makes a run at the NCAA tournament. If the Cougars were looking for a boost after the loss of point guard Rashaun Broadus to suspension, they’ve found it.

After BYU’s win over TCU on Jan. 10, senior guard Austin Ainge was asked if he or any of the other seniors gave Tavernari any tips or advice.

“He doesn’t listen to anything we say,” Ainge said, only half kidding.

There’s a lot for a freshman to learn in Year 1, and Tavernari is living proof he’s been listening to somebody. BYU head coach Dave Rose said he told Tavernari to slow down and let the game open up to him.

“I just do whatever Coach Rose needs me to do,” Tavernari said. “I came to BYU because he believes in me like I believe in myself.”

BYU fans believe, Jonathan.

Can he get a “hallelujah” from the congregation in blue?

∫ Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
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