My simple take on BYU's slump

I just returned from a week’s vacation and was not present to see BYU’s losses to New Mexico and UNLV. And, while on vacation, my frantic attempt to find the TV channels on which the games were broadcast was futile (now I know how most MWC fans feel). But thanks to my DVR, I did watch the UNLV game when I returned home Friday morning. Before that, after reading piles of comments from readers and fans on our web site, I figured there were a ton of problems with the Cougars and that they were on a serious spiral downward. But after watching a replay of the game, I don’t think it’s that serious. In fact, I think the reason BYU lost to UNLV is quite simple – just make more shots. Honestly, from what I saw, the Cougars just went ice cold from the field while the Runnin’ Rebs started making the same kind of shots they were missing in the first half. One team heated up while the other went into the freezer. Many of the shots BYU missed were the same caliber of shots the Cougars have been making all season. On the other side, I thought many of the shots UNLV hit in the second half were contested and well-guarded by BYU. OK, I admit, it wasn’t just totally a cold vs. hot change of climate. The Cougars did take many more bad shots and UNLV did a better job of breaking down BYU’s defense. But had the Cougars simply shot better, the outcome might have been different and Cougar fans wouldn’t be in such a panic. So I say no need to panic, because I expected the Cougars will regain that hot shooting touch and will still be one of the teams challenging for the MWC title.