Tavernari proves his value

Come Monday afternoon I expect Mountain West Conference officials to name BYU junior forward Jonathan Tavernari as the conference’s player of the week. How could it be anyone else? Look at his numbers for the week. Against Colorado State he made 8-of-11 shots, 5-of-5 from 3-point range and scored 21 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. If that wasn’t enough to perk up some ears in Colorado Springs, how about Saturday’s effort in Fort Worth? He took up where he finished off against the Rams, making five of his first seven shots, and making his first 3-point shot en route to 16 first-half points and 19 for the game. He even admitted in his post-game interviews that he’s focusing on better shot selection, and the results are obvious. Is there really any question what Tavernari means to the Cougars’ chances of success? For BYU to win a third-straight league title they’ll need the flashy Brazilian to stay on a similar pace. If he can stay focused and play under control, he’s very capable.
Maybe the league will make Tavernari and Lee Cummard co-players of the week – considering Cummard scored 14 against Colorado State and 24 against TCU, with comparable shooting numbers.
By the way, TCU coach Jim Christian had this to say about Cummard: “To me he’s the best offensive player in the league, bar none,” Christian said.