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BYU believes it can do better against UNLV this time |
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JaredLloyd | Friday, February 2, 2007, 10:14 pm
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Jason Franchuk
DAILY HERALD
Lee Cummard gives UNLV credit. The Runnin' Rebels are athletic and physical, at both ends of the basketball court.
Yet what he has reviewed from the last time BYU played them, the sophomore doesn't like what he has seen. He basically has said since the eight-point loss Jan. 13 that the Cougars weren't worth a darn and would do better next time.
That promise has to be kept today in a 3:30 p.m. meeting at the Marriott Center between two of the three Mountain West Conference teams which have a share of first place as the second half of league play begins.
"I felt like I didn't really play in the game, when I saw the tape afterward," Cummard said. "I guess during it, I didn't feel as bad because I was scoring some points and that made me feel more active. But I saw myself on defense ... it wasn't me. I thought my mindset was wrong. I was standing up too much, going through the motions. Right after the game, it didn't even feel like I had broken a sweat. It was just bad. I don't really know why, it just was.
"That has to be different this time, and I think it will for me and everyone else on the team."
BYU (16-6, 6-2) and UNLV (19-4, 6-2) more than likely won't have the top spot to itself after this one. Air Force gets to play at home today, where, like BYU, it has won 27 consecutive home games. And the Falcons get the extra advantage of playing Wyoming, which has Brandon Ewing and Brad Jones — its top two scorers — serving a one-game suspension after getting involved in a fight in a loss earlier this week against New Mexico.
Meanwhile, back in Provo, games continue to take on added importance. First it was winning a league road game. Check, at New Mexico.
Then it was beating a nationally ranked team at home. Check, Air Force.
Then it was ending a 12-year losing streak at Utah. Check, in Wednesday's thumping of the Utes.
Now, this.
"Over the last two weeks, everything's just gotten bigger and bigger and bigger," Cummard said.
The Rebels are in the Top 25 of the coaches poll and receiving votes in the media version. A high RPI has been created by wins at Texas Tech and Nevada, which is currently ranked in the top 15 of both polls.
"It's just a really good team; they represent the league well and they play so hard," BYU head coach Dave Rose said. "They are athletic, yes, but I think what makes them so tough is how physical they are. Not just on defense, though they'll get after you and disrupt your offense. They're also tough on offense, the way they set screens and attack."
Both teams have survived the absence of key personnel. BYU, of course, booted starting point guard Rashaun Broadus two days after the league opener when he had been arrested for suspicion of DUI. The Rebels lost senior point guard Kevin Kruger for four games because of a bruised left thigh.
Also, Wendell White missed a pair of games with a sprained ankle.
Kruger, the son of head coach Lon, will be an intriguing matchup against BYU's Austin Ainge. Both players are unusually savvy, if never the most athletic options on the floor.
Then there's the battle between White and Keena Young, both 6-foot-6 senior forwards who are also their teams' leading scorers.
Rose said preparation for this game has been mostly business-like. Not a whole lot of need for yelling and motivating. It's an experienced group which knows what they need to do, Rose said.
While Cummard isn't the type to say it, there's a feeling he knows a win depends on him. At least on his defense.
He had a career-high 18 points and tied his personal best with five assists at UNLV. But his man, 6-foot sophomore Wink Adams, had 27 points and managed to bully his way to 12 free throws, nine of which he made, despite being six inches shorter.
"You get to this point in the season, and it gets to be about more and more attention to detail," Cummard said. "We know we're at home, and we feel good about that. It gives us some breaks, probably. But we still need to come out and be a lot better. I know I do."
BYU (16-6, 6-2) vs. UNLV (19-4, 6-2)
3:30 p.m., Marriott Center
Radio: KSL 1160 AM (102.7 FM)
TV: The mtn.
Tip-ins: Both teams are hot. The Cougars are coming off a home win over nationally ranked Air Force and a league road win at Utah to end the first half of conference play, while winning 11 of their last 13 games. The Rebels are coming off a road win at Colorado State and have won their last five games. Both teams are tied with Air Force for first place in the Mountain West standings. |
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