Key to Cougar hoops will be the point-guard spot

From what I’ve seen in practice, and from what I know about the rest of the league, the play at the point-guard position is going to be a huge key to BYU’s basketball success this season. Losing a player like Ben Murdock – which coach Dave Rose, Lee Cummard and Jonathan Tavernari all said was great at mediating things on the court and making sure the right shooter got the ball – is a huge task. It appears that Michael Lloyd, Lamont Morgan and Jimmer Fredette are battling for the vacancy. It might end up being point-guard by committee. Right now all three are getting equal time in the short practice scrimmages. I think one crucial element this position needs is speed and quickness, mainly to defend the league’s other guards. I think Fredette is the best offensive guard in that mix, but his quickness and defense are the question marks. At Wednesday’s Cougar Tipoff we’ll get a better idea of how these three handle the duties in an actual game atmosphere.
The post position looks like Chris Miles’ to lose, and he’s been tough, determined and physical in practice. Gavin McGregor should be very adequate as well with his big frame. Not sure James Anderson is ready to take the pounding right now, but he’s good enough to give both Miles and McGregor a rest.
Speaking of McGregor, he left Thursday’s practice early after getting a tooth knocked out. He spent the late afternoon at the dentist. In the meanwhile, BYU officials plan to see if they can get McGregor’s junior season back. As a sophomore walk-on two seasons ago he only had three years of eligibility left and he missed the entire year last season with a foot injury. BYU would like to see him granted a medical hardship, which would make him a junior this year instead of a senior.