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Malaman, bench playing vital roles for BYU |
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JaredLloyd | Wednesday, February 14, 2007, 12:41 pm
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Jason Franchuk
DAILY HERALD
Fernando Malaman hasn’t played more than four minutes in a game for a month, and even in two BYU blowout wins in that span, he failed to step onto the floor.
Yet it may be his example, and that of the rest of the Cougar reserves, that has been one of the most crucial factors as to why the team is in first place with five Mountain West Conference games remaining.
“When you look at the course of a season, it’s the starters and particularly the leaders in the key stats who get a lot of the attention,” BYU head coach Dave Rose said. “But through all that, other guys need to help out. That’s what has helped us this season, we’ve had a lot of options off the bench.”
It’s not the most scientific or predictable method, when a player is going to get a chance. It is often a feel of the situation, or what the player has done in recent practices to warrant a break.
Ben Murdock, Austin Ainge’s backup at point guard, said he has grown more comfortable in a role knowing that he’s likely going to get some minutes. But there is also some spontaneity that keeps him focused.
“You always have to be on your toes, because you don’t ever know exactly what night and when you’re going to get a chance,” the junior said.
Malaman’s decline in importance has been possibly the most stunning development through 25 games for the 19-6 team (9-2 MWC) that has a one-game edge over Air Force heading into tonight’s 7 p.m. game against New Mexico at the Marriott Center.
Last year, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged seven points as a junior college transfer, like Rashaun Broadus, who played a significant role in upgrading the team’s talent. It went 20-9, compared to 9-21 the prior year.
The senior campaign, however, hasn’t been so strong for either. Broadus was booted from the team last month. Malaman’s two most magnified moments were a missed 3-pointer at Lamar in December, which could’ve avoided an overtime loss (he did have a career-high 10 rebounds that night). And he bricked a couple of late free throws at Wyoming just after entering the game for the first time, then quickly found his way back to the bench.
Malaman is averaging 2.4 points, tied with Vuk Ivanovic for third-to-last on the team.
Coaches say they’ve maintained confidence in Malaman, but as the Brazilan will attest: “There are other guys in my position playing really well right now. I’d be a lot more upset if we were losing and I wasn’t playing.”
Keena Young is arguably the league’s MVP, and at 16.9 points and about 28 minutes per game, has been near impossible to take off the floor. While Malaman used size and long-range shooting to his advantage last year, this year he’s only 20 percent (3-of-15) from 3-point range and has been outdone by fellow countryman and freshman Jonathan Tavernari.
The 6-6 forward has been better than 50 percent, 16-for-31, on long-range shots in conference play.
And yes, he also comes off the bench.
“I just have to keep practicing hard,” Malaman said. “I can’t worry about what the other guys (who play forward) are doing, but just to keep doing what I do well and keep getting better.”
Rose has kept firm with a starting lineup of Ainge and Young, plus sophomore center Trent Plaisted and off-guards Jimmy Balderson and Lee Cummard for most of the year.
But that hasn’t kept others from getting chances. Besides Tavernari, Mike Rose has hit 14 3-pointers in the last three games. Those two are hailed by other MWC coaches as tough matchups: Tavernari, because of his height and range, and Rose, because he constantly forces an opposing player to stay contained to the outside, unable to help elsewhere.
Rose hit all three trey attempts in the season opener at UCLA, then went cold in floor time and accuracy. He was 1-for-9 over the next seven games, two of which he never played.
He met with the coaches, who ensured Rose, “They hadn’t given up on me, and that I was going to get my chances.”
Said Rose: “Everyone wants to start, but there comes a time when you understand what your role is, and how you can help the team.”
Head coach Rose has claimed since the first day of practice that the strength of this year’s group goes beyond a few individuals. The stats prove it. Examine any of the other eight MWC scoring averages, and there’s usually a significant drop between the starting five and the sixth-best scorer.
Air Force is the most obvious, going from five balanced starters to No. 6 Andrew Henke, who averages 4.6 points. Most severe drop-offs occur between sixth and seventh-best options.
BYU has one reserve, Tavernari, who ranks in the top five of BYU scorers (6.7 ppg). Ainge is at 6.6, while Rose is at 6.1.
Others have risen to the occasion, too, which Dave Rose has said is a credit to his assistants for their interaction with the role players. It’s also on the players themselves, he added, by fitting into roles.
Murdock and Sam Burgess, for example, have been stellar at picking their long-range shots. Combined they’re at 50 percent (20-of-40).
“When you get a lot of guys helping out, it helps in everything you’re doing,” Rose said. “It makes practices and film sessions better when a lot of people know they can have a chance to contribute. It gets everyone more ready for games.”
Said Malaman: “It really is more fun than last year. It’s a great team with a great environment to be around. I want to play, and I’ll keep working for my opportunities and hopefully take advantage when they come.” |
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