Win at San Diego State was huge for Cougars

BYU’s comeback Tuesday night at San Diego State took a little tension out of the Cougars’ post-season hopes. Even with 20 wins heading into the game, the Cougars still didn’t have that marquee road victory. They also needed to make up for the earlier home loss to UNLV, a game in which the Rebels overcame a 13-point halftime lead just like BYU did against the Aztecs.
Now, with 21 wins, and an almost certainty to get 22 or 23 with two home games left, the Cougars are now likely off the NCAA tournament bubble. It’s very unlikely, with BYU’s RPI, that the Cougars will be left out of the dance regardless of whether they can move on to win or share the conference title. The win also gives BYU confidence that it can win the MWC tournament in two weeks and grab that automatic bid.
Tuesday’s win was not only important, but the way the Cougars managed to get it was a first for the Cougars this year. In most of their six losses they’ve played poorly late or at a key point in the second half. Tuesday, they played horrible for about 15 minutes of the first half, but erased that with gutty second-half play. The Cougars’ first-half body language showed they were lost, lacking intensity, lacking energy and were frustrated. How they turned that around and turned the tables on the Aztecs was a sign that this team is capable of winning a big game with big play down the stretch. Something motivated this guys in the locker room at halftime which allowed them to avoid embarrassment.
The reasons why the Cougars came back to win are clear: Jimmer Fredette wasn’t going to lose and really took over the game. Noah Hartsock, who hasn’t shown much this season, showed a lot with his hustle and confidence off the bench. I believe it was a break-out game for the freshman from Oklahoma. And as always, Jackson Emery’s energy played a key role and Lee Cummard and Jonathan Tavernari contributed key baskets and key rebounds. Also, the Aztecs looked horrible when BYU changed to a zone defense.
The big question now is, will this win send the Cougars onto bigger things with more confidence? Or was it just a huge win that will be wasted? That will be answered, beginning Saturday when they host Utah at the Marriott Center.