Thoughts on BYU vs. Southern
I guess the Cougars didn’t want to exert themselves too much before the holiday, because what happened tonight wasn’t even really a game. Here are six quick-hit thoughts from BYU’s 107-51 blowout victory over Southern:
1) Jimmer Fredette seems to be more comfortable in his role as a point guard. He finished with 10 assists in only 18 minutes and set the tone early by spreading the ball around instead of looking to shoot. Fredette averaged 4.1 assists per game last season and is averaging 6.0 per game through the first four games this year. The best thing for the Cougars is that Fredette’s scoring average is also increasing. He averaged 16.2 points per game last season and is averaging 20 points per game this year. He simply doesn’t need as many shots as Jonathan Tavernari to get his points because he shoots a higher percentage and makes it to the free-throw line more often.
2) BYU’s freshmen are making a difference. Tyler Haws started and scored five points, while Brandon Davies was one of the first players off the bench and led the team with eight rebounds. Haws is a tough rebounder for a guard and will find his shot as he gets more playing time. Davies is adept at using his length to disrupt shots and get his hands into passing lanes, though he does get pushed off the block easily because he’s so skinny.
3) Three-point supremacy: six different BYU players hit a three against Southern. As a team, BYU made 13 of 23 three-pointers (56.5 percent). Jackson Emery led the team with four treys and after the game BYU coach Dave Rose said his team’s outside shooting was a key to putting the game away early.
4) Noah Hartsock looks like he’s in much better shape than last year. The sophomore played an efficient game coming off the bench, logging eight points and five rebounds in 14 minutes of action.
5) The Cougars didn’t go to the charity stripe much but took advantage when they did get to the line. BYU finished 10-for-11 from the line and the first missed free throw didn’t come until there was 7:43 left in the game. The Cougars made their first seven until Charles Abouo clanked one.
6) Every BYU player scored, a feat that was accopmlished when Logan Magnusson hit a three-pointer with less than 20 seconds left in the game. Magnusson missed his first shot and his teammates and the fans went crazy when he finally got on the board.
Awards …
“I Can Dunk It In Practice But Can’t Quite Send It Home During A Game No Matter How Hard I Try” Award: Lamont Morgan, Jr., with Tyler Haws coming in a close second. Now, Morgan can jump surprisingly high for somebody who’s 5 foot 10 but he still wasn’t able to slam it down when given a prime opportunity.
“He Kind of Looks Like Jimmer Fredette But Is Not Jimmer Fredette” Award: Logan Magnusson. I looked out onto the floor two or three times and thought Fredette was out there when he wasn’t. It was Magnusson.
“Scorer Of The 100th Point” Award: Brandon Davies. The freshman grabbed an offensive rebound and put in a layup to nab the honor. Fellow freshmen Brock Zylstra and Logan Magnusson missed their chances before Davies got it done.