Cougs not missing Cummard

Entering the season there was one looming question about this year’s Cougar squad: How would they replace graduated star Lee Cummard?

What seemed like a potential problem has turned into non-issue as freshman Tyler Haws has stepped into the starting lineup and helped the team move on without skipping a beat. The Cougars are playing with tempo, balance and boast a deep roster of players who can provide valuable minutes when called upon.

“I think the biggest part of the team’s progression this season without Lee is just guys stepping up,” center Chris Miles said. “Jimmer has done a really good job. Jackson has done a really good job. Tyler Haws has been phenomenal as a freshman. Lee was a really big part of our team last year, but I think this year some things are a little more balanced. We’re playing really well together.”

Here are a few statistical comparisons between last season and this season:

Lee Cummard (2008-09): 32.8 mpg .517 fg% .387 3fg% (36-93) .871 ft% 16.8 ppg 6.2 rpg 3.4 apg .9 bpg .9 spg
vs.
Tyler Haws (2009-10): 26.6 mpg .555 fg% .333 3fg% (10-30) .872 ft% 11.1 ppg 4.3 rpg 1.3 aps .2 bpg .7 spg

Jimmer Fredette (2008-09): 33.0 mpg .480 fg% .382 3fg% (52-136) .847 ft% 16.2 ppg 3.0 rpg 4.1 apg .1 bpg 1.5 spg
vs.
Jimmer Fredette (2009-10): 31.4 mpg .503 fg% .444 3fg% (28-63) .926 ft% 21.6 ppg 3.1 rpg 5.6 apg .2 bpg 1.9 spg

Jackson Emery (2008-09): 28.5 mpg .480 fg% .377 3fg% (40-106) .738 ft% 7.8 ppg 3.8 rpg 3.0 apg .3 bpg 1.4 spg
vs.
Jackson Emery (2009-10): 25.6 mpg .545 fg% .500 3fg% (39-78) .824 ft% 13.4 ppg 4.4 rpg 2.6 apg .3 bpg 2.5 spg

(Note: Jimmer and Jackson’s numbers have gone up across the board despite the fact that they aren’t playing as many minutes per game as they did last season.)

BYU Cougars (2008-09): 77.1 ppg (65.2 points allowed) .484 fg% .381 3fg% .729 ft% 36.2 rpg 16.3 apg 7.3 spg 3.6 bpg
vs.
BYU Cougars (2009-10): 85.1 ppg (62.1 points allowed) .519 fg% .429 3fg% .789 ft% 37.4 rpg 17.5 apg 8.7 spg 3.7 bpg

One important factor to consider when comparing these statistics is that the Cougars haven’t even started conference play yet, so some of the most challenging games of the season are coming up in the next few months. Still, the team is playing well despite the loss of its star player from last season.