Emery should play today versus Cowboys

The BYU Cougars are going to need every defensive weapon they have if they hope to contain the dangerous Brandon Ewing today when they face the Wyoming Cowboys. Fortunately, the news is optimistic on that front. Sophomore guard Jackson Emery did not practice on Thursday because of a sore left shoulder. Evidently, doctors did not find any permanent long-term damage with the injury and Emery did work some with the team on Friday in its five-on-five drills. Whether he’ll play or not is being called a game-time decision by the coaches, but the fact that he practiced is encouraging. However, the Cougars will be without reserve center Gavin MacGregor for at least the next two weeks, but probably longer than that. Obviously it’s time for freshman Noah Hartsock to start contributing a lot more to BYU’s defensive and rebounding needs.
I think it’s clear to everyone that Jonathan Tavernari is going through a mild slump, or possibly just searching to redefine his role after three straight sub-par scoring games. I’m predicting that slump will come to an end today. I liked how confident Tavernari looked in practice on Thursday and I think he’s finally comfortable with what is being asked of him. Look for him to post at least 20 points today.
Coach Dave Rose said sometimes Tavernari just anticipates that he’s going to shoot before he catches the ball, and that’s what has him hurrying his shots. “The biggest difference is how people are guarding him,” Rose said. “He’s got to find a way to create space to get a shot off at his pace, the time that he wants, because that’s when he’s really effective.”
If BYU fans needed more reason to like or dislike former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian, his words in a recent blog on former Cougar coach Frank Arnold should throw a little fuel on the fire. Read the blog here:http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/shark-bytes/