Quick-hits from BYU-San Diego State
Here’s a few thoughts I had while watching BYU’s 71-69 win over San Diego State Saturday night:
1) Tyler Haws continues to come up huge for the Cougars. The freshman followed up his 24-point performance on against Wyoming on Wednesday with 17 points against the Aztecs. His stat line screams efficiency: 6-for-10 from the field (including 3-for-4 from three-point range) and 2-for-2 from the line. Most important, though, was the timing of his baskets. He opened the game with five quick points as the catalyst for BYU’s quick start, then hit a three-pointer with just over eight minutes remaining to give the Cougars a 52-50 lead.
2) Where was Chris Miles? Or Brandon Davies? Or Noah Hartsock? While BYU’s big men did combine for six blocks, they were pushed around and out-rebounded all night. San Diego’s physicality down low kept them in the game.
3) On the other hand, Charles Abouo took advantage of his 11 minutes of action and sparked the Cougars to their 15-0 second-half run. On a night when BYU couldn’t buy a rebound, it was Abouo who was able to grab consistant boards. He finished with four points, five rebounds, one steal and one game-saving block in the closing minute. In his brief post-game interview with The Mtn. BYU coach Dave Rose singled out Abouo: “I think Charles came in and just gave us a big lift,” Rose said. “He was a physical presence and gave us fresh legs.”
3) It was difficult to watch JT continue to turn the ball over while acting as the point forward — his late-game turnover in transition almost cost BYU the game — but his cross-court pass to Fredette, who nailed a three to give the Cougars a 57-50 lead, was a thing of beauty.
4) Did Chris Miles get away with a traveling violation late in the game? Probably. But it made up for the weak intentional foul call on Jackson Emery a minute earlier.
5) Jimmer made lots of big shots en route to his 33 points, but his left-handed running layup that gave BYU a three-point lead with 20 second left topped them all. His two free throws to ice the game were also pretty clutch. It seems as though Mr. Fredette is back into shape after going through a mono-induced two-week funk. This is good news for the Cougars, because they’ll need him in The Pit against New Mexico on Wednesday.
6) A 20-1 record in late January? I think the Cougars will take it.