BYU hoops, officially, gets under way

Today is media day for BYU basketball. So even though Friday is the first official day of full practice, I consider the season underway with media day, when we can talk to the players, coaches and take some photos. The team’s first practice is Friday at 5 p.m. The first public competition will be Oct. 28 with the Cougar Tipoff. The Cougars have exhibition games with Trinity Western (Nov. 5) and Central Washington (Nov. 10) before their first official game on Nov. 13 at the Marriott Center against Bradley. That’s a pretty tough opener.

A few basketball notes:
Earlier this week the Cougar coaches held tryouts for possible walk-ons. I’ve been told they won’t add any roster players from those tryouts, but will invite some from the tryouts to be practice players. Normally two or three guys work out with the team and scrimmage with the team, but don’t suit up for games.

Following Friday’s practice the team will have a basketball reunion dinner with about 60 to 70 former players and coaches. On Saturday there will be an alumni golf tournament. Players from as far back as the 1930′s, 40s’ and 50s’ are planning to show up.

Former Cougar Lee Cummard is again searching for a place to play professionally. Landing a roster spot, or even getting much of a chance to showcase his skills, hasn’t been easy. After signing a contract with Alba Berlin of the European League, Cummard’s contract was bought out a short time later. Reportedly, he wasn’t the type of player that Alba Berlin was hoping for.