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Cougars Seeded Seventh: Blessing or Curse?
by sroufe on Mar 14, 2010 4:24 PM PDT
4 comments
The Cougars were revealed as a 7-seed on Sunday afternoon and will play the Florida Gators (21-12 overall, 9-7 conference) on Thursday, March 18th in Oklahoma City. BYU was selected to the West Region, which they had hoped for, but fell a number of spots due to their most recent losses to New Mexico (in Provo) and UNLV in the MWC Tournament. BYU had been projected as high as a 3 seed during regular season conference play but that was out of the question after losing to the Lobos for a second time in late February.
Still, BYU had hoped to secure at least a 4-seed in the MWC Tournament but had that hope taken away in the final minute on Friday night in Las Vegas. Of course, the Rebels' lackluster performance on Saturday may not have helped the Cougars much either - though it did help the MWC by making San Diego State a Tournament lock.
But on Saturday and even Sunday morning, BYU fans held out hope for a 5-seed or even a 6. Yet, after three consecutive seasons of attaining an 8-seed for the Big Dance, the Cougars still only managed to improve one spot.
Of course, there are still some positives to be seen from BYU's perspective so let's break some of them down:
The Pros:
- Should the Cougars beat the Gators and (assuming) the Wildcats, they'd come to Salt Lake City for the Sweet 16.
- Had they been a 6 seed in the West, rather than a 7, they'd be playing an excellent Minnesota (11-seed) team - in relatively close Milwaukee.
- They could have drawn Georgia Tech (10-seed in the Midwest), who would have abused the Cougars inside. Florida, whose two leading scorers are both under 6'2", is a much better match-up for BYU.
- Florida has only won two of their last five games, with their wins coming against Georgia and Auburn, both of whom finished at the bottom of the SEC.
- Like the Cougars, Florida is an average rebounding team, averaging 37 rebounds per game. The Gators also block fewer shots than the Cougars (3.6 to 2.7).
- The Gators aren't nearly as skilled offensively as the Cougars according to basic stats, with a true shooting percentage of 52.8% (163rd in the nation) compared to BYU's 59.7% (2nd in the country), and an inferior assist/turnover ration (48th overall to the Cougars' 14th overall).
The Cons:
- Should the Cougars beat the Gators, they'd play Kansas State in Oklahoma City. That's a mere 5 hour drive for Wildcat fans making it nearly a non-neutral site.
- From Alligator Army:
"I am very excited to see what Chandler Parsons and Kenny Boynton do in NCAA play. Also, take a look at the heights of the Cougars. Their two big guys are not contributors, and their top four scorers are all under 6-foot-6. Florida is at their best playing smaller teams. As a Gator fan, you have to hope Vernon Macklin and Alex Tyus can nut up and play like true big men inside."
Links:
BYU gets seven seed... - Salt Lake Tribune
BYU will play SEC power - Daily Herald
Cougars to face Florida - Deseret News
Gators grateful for bid - Orlando Sentinel
More significant tournament match-ups highlighted after the jump...
4 comments | 0 recs |
BYU Bracketology - **Updated**
by sroufe on Mar 13, 2010 4:20 PM PST
7 comments
As we discussed before, BYU needed a win Friday to secure (or at least make a strong case for) a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, despite that now being highly unlikely, the Cougars are still being projected as a No. 5 seed by at least one prognosticator. Take a look:
| Source | Seed | Region* | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blogging the Bracket | 5 | East | Siena |
| ESPN (Lundardi) | 6 | East | Washington |
| CNNSI (Glockner) | 6 | East | Georgia Tech |
| Bracketology 101 | 6 | East | Virginia Tech |
| Bracketville | 6 | East | Old Dominion |
* All opening games projected in San Jose, CA or New Orleans, LA.
Saturday, at least two sources were projecting the Cougars as a No. 5 seed - SB Nation's "Blogging the Bracket" and ESPN's Joe Lunardi apparently recognized BYU as a Top 20 team - as each of the Cougars' five losses have all come to teams now apparent locks in the NCAA Tournament. Layton also mentioned, "Lunardi's (5-seed projection of) BYU has more to do with New Mexico losing to the Aztecs (a true bubble team) on a neutral site than anything else. He gave lenience to BYU because they lost a very close game to the Rebels who were already in the tournament, in what was without question a home game."
So while the selection committee will certainly see BYU's losses - they will also consider that the Cougars have beaten Arizona State (22 win "bubble" team), San Diego State twice (24/25 win "bubble" team), UNLV (25/26 win team and tourney lock), UTEP (26 win team and tourney lock) and (even) Weber St. (20 win team and tourney lock). The wins against Arizona, Nebraska and Nevada also can't hurt because they are "name" schools.
And if you're still upset about losing out on a potential 3 or 4 seeding this season, look at it this way: BYU had won three MWC regular season championships but they still couldn't get this high of a seeding and still never won a NCAA Tournament game. The odds will be in the Cougars' favor more so this year than any during the Rose-era.
Furthermore, you shouldn't have to worry about playing Georgia Tech in a 5/12 or even a 6/11 game anymore (as was projected by some earlier in the week) - the Yellow Jackets are now in the ACC Tournament Championship game and should be at least a 10 seed. I'd much rather see Siena (27-6 with losses to Niagara and Northern Iowa) or Florida (21-12 and losses to South Alabama and South Carolina) in the First Round.
7 comments | 0 recs |
Cougars fall to Rebels, 70-66
by sroufe on Mar 12, 2010 11:02 PM PST
19 comments
I still believe. Hard to put the blame on Dave Rose. He made the necessary switch to Brandon Davies. He made the right defensive adjustments (i.e. zone alterations in the 2nd half). He lost his third leading scorer and one of the most efficient offensive players in the country the night before. His team forced more turnovers than they lost. His team made their free throws.
In summary, Dave Rose is an excellent coach. UNLV is a tourney-worthy team and any team worthy of the NCAA tournament and fighting to verify such is going to be a very, very hard out — especially on their home floor.
Now then, let's pray for a 5 seed.
19 comments | 0 recs
Open GameThread: MWC Tourney Semis - UNLV vs. BYU
by sroufe on Mar 12, 2010 1:30 PM PST
198 comments
Fredette tops 40 again as BYU advances - BYU Athletics
Rose a finalist for Skip Prosser award - BYU Athletics
BYU must shoot better tonight than the last time they played UNLV. In their 88-74 loss, the Cougars shot 38% overall - but the starters were a dismal 29%. Part of that can be attributed to forcing lots of perimeter jumpers in an attempt to catch up to the Rebels' hot start. Obviously, BYU can get away with a mediocre first half against a team like TCU, but not UNLV.
Another note in review of the Cougars' loss to the Rebels is how Tyler Haws had a below-average performance offensively that game but may not play tonight. From Greg Wrubell:
"Tyler Haws (eye) was visiting a local doctor this afternoon and did not participate in the team's shoot-around at Cox Pavilion. Word is the eye was still very swollen today. Haws' status for tonight would have to be considered questionable at best; if he can't play, it's likely Mike Loyd would take Haws' place in the starting lineup."
If that's the case, here's how the starting match-ups will likely look tonight:
Fredette - Anthony Marshall
Emery - Tre'Von Willis
Loyd - Oscar Bellfield
Hartsock - Chase Stanback
Miles - Brice Massamba
You also figure Abouo's minutes will increase due to Haws' absence - which is a good thing because of 1) they way Charles has been terrific offensively over the past few weeks, and 2) Abouo's athleticism is much needed against the Rebels and a nice counter to Matt Shaw off of Lon Kruger's bench.
Kruger has substituted Marshall into his starting lineup in place of Kendall Wallace and the freshman responded last night with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists against the Utes. Just another weapon the Cougars, and likely Fredette (since Emery will probably guard Willis again), will have to account for tonight. It should be a thriller...
GO COUGARS!!!
198 comments | 0 recs
Fredette goes for 45 as Cougars beat TCU and advance
by sroufe on Mar 11, 2010 8:21 PM PST
5 comments
2 of 10 from deep for Jimmer. So disappointing...
Next Up: Winner of Utah vs. UNLV
Post-game Coverage
5 comments | 0 recs
Aztecs, Lobos both escape and advance
San Diego State's D.J. Gay made two free throws with 23 seconds remaining to tie and then take the lead, 72-71. Adam Nigon led the Rams with 18 points but they came up just short in fulfilling Layton's prediction.
AFA also gave New Mexico a fight in the second half of their matchup, but Darington Hobson went ballistic and led the Lobos to a 75-69 win.
The Aztecs and Lobos will meet each other in tomorrow night's semifinal game at 6 PM. SDSU beat New Mexico in San Diego and lost in OT at The Pit last month.
3 days ago
sroufe
3 comments
0 recs
Open GameThread: MWC Tourney - TCU vs. BYU
by sroufe on Mar 11, 2010 12:00 PM PST
23 comments
Game Preview - BYU Athletics
'Big' Question - Miles or Davies - Deseret News
BYU-New Mexico III: a sure showdown bet in Las Vegas - Deseret News
Déjà vu for Cougars in round one of MWC tournament - KSL
Gods willing, conference tournament belongs to BYU, UNM - SLTribune
Miles still starter, but Davies gaining ground - SLTribune
NCAA seed on line at MWC Tournament - Daily Universe
GO COUGARS!!!
23 comments | 0 recs
Air Force opens tourney with win over Wyoming
The Falcons will play New Mexico tomorrow at Noon PST. The last time the two teams played, Air Force held the Lobos to 40% shooting and nearly pulled off an upset (59-56). Of course, New Mexico also won by 23 in Colorado Springs back in January. Still, you have to hope the Falcons can at least make a game of it.
4 days ago
sroufe
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Cougars Football Schedule
@
Oklahoma
|
Sat 09/05 | W 14 - 13 |
| @ Tulane | Sat 09/12 | W 54 - 3 |
|
Florida St.
|
Sat 09/19 | L 28 - 54 |
| Colorado St. | Sat 09/26 | W 42 - 23 |
| Utah State | Fri 10/02 | W 35 - 17 |
| @ UNLV | Sat 10/10 | W 59 - 21 |
| @ San Diego St. | Sat 10/17 | W 38 - 28 |
| TCU | Sat 10/24 | L 7 - 38 |
| @ Wyoming | Sat 11/07 | W 52 - 0 |
| @ New Mexico | Sat 11/14 | W 24 - 19 |
| Air Force | Sat 11/21 | W 38 - 21 |
|
Utah
|
Sat 11/28 | W 26 - 23 |
|
Oregon St.
|
Tue 12/22 | W 44 - 20 |
Mountain West Conference Standings
(updated 1.4.2010 at 10:13 PM PST)
| Conf | Overall | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
| TCU Horned Frogs | 8 | 0 | 12 | 1 |
|
BYU Cougars
|
7 | 1 | 11 | 2 |
|
Utah Utes
|
6 | 2 | 10 | 3 |
| Air Force Falcons | 5 | 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| UNLV Rebels | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| San Diego St. Aztecs | 2 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
| New Mexico Lobos | 1 | 7 | 1 | 11 |
| Colorado St. Rams | 0 | 8 | 3 | 9 |
Mountain West Conference Standings
(updated 3.13.2010 at 11:26 PM PST)
| Conf | Overall | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
| New Mexico Lobos | 14 | 2 | 29 | 4 |
|
BYU Cougars
|
13 | 3 | 29 | 5 |
| San Diego St. Aztecs | 11 | 5 | 25 | 8 |
| UNLV Runnin Rebels | 11 | 5 | 25 | 8 |
| Colorado St. Rams | 7 | 9 | 16 | 15 |
|
Utah Utes
|
7 | 9 | 14 | 17 |
| TCU Horned Frogs | 5 | 11 | 13 | 19 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 3 | 13 | 10 | 21 |
| Air Force Falcons | 1 | 15 | 10 | 21 |
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
