BYU Dismantles Arizona State, 81-68

by Layton on Dec 8, 2009 10:26 PM PST

"La vengeance se mange très-bien froide." - Marie Joseph Eugène, Mathilde

Tonight's win over Arizona State feels good after last season's loss in Tempe. In a way though, it also makes the loss to Utah State look worse... No matter, ASU is ASU (I don't care if Harden and Pendergraph are gone) and anytime a MWC team beats a Pac-10 opponent it's a very good thing. Let's hope the football team follows suit on the 22nd.

This was easily the Cougars' most impressive win thus far. Not only were they able to overcome shooting woes from Fredette (1 of 14...yikes!) and Tavernari (again...2 of 8), but it was their defense, especially in the first half, that dominated ASU. Anytime you give up just 8 assists while creating 12 turnovers - and only turn the ball over 6 times yourselves - you have a great chance of winning the game.

I'd put Tyler Haws up against any freshman swing-man in the country. Kid is a phenom: 17 points, 11 boards, and 6 broken hearts at Helaman Halls when he leaves on a mission (and counting...). His fellow Lone Peak alum wasn't too shabby either, Emery connected on five 3's and finished with 17 as well. Imagine if Fredette and/or Tavernari had shot decently...scary.

Though it's early in the season, with a lot of basketball to be played, the win should help boost BYU's seeding come tourney time in March and put them into the top 25 very soon.

The Cougars (7-1) travel to Fresno State Saturday to take on potential first-round draft pick Paul George and the Bulldogs.

(Arizona) East Valley Tribune Recap
AP Recap
Deseret News Recap
KSL Recap
MWC Connection Recap

Final - 12.8.2009	1	2	Total
Arizona St. Sun Devils	23	45	68
BYU Cougars	39	42	81

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Hopefully USU keeps winning at home

If they can continue to be a home dominate team then that loss won’t look so bad… still sucks though.

I’m really crossing my fingers hoping Haws thinks he should wait one more year for the mission. Our only Seniors are:
Miles (I guess only is used a little lightly, I like Miles a lot!)
JT (hallelujah!)
Morgan Jr.

That means our starters would be:
Fredette
Emery
Haws
Hartsock
Davies
with Collinsworth (I hope his domination continues at the Y), Abouo, Loyd Jr., etc, etc. to come off the bench.

We’re going to be deep next year and putting points on the board will not be a problem.

BTW, how huge was that Davies dunk?! At the game Layton mentioned it was Tim Duncanesque!

by vaughnzipper on Dec 9, 2009 6:36 AM PST reply actions