BYU Basketball: Nick Emery out indefinitely until NCAA investigation completed

With the NCAA currently investigating junior guard Nick Emery’s tie to a booster, BYU will hold Emery out until BYU compliance hears back from the NCAA. Coach Dave Rose announced the news while addressing the media after Tuesday’s practice.

While the exact timetable is unknown, the hope would be that BYU hears back from the NCAA within the next couple weeks. Ideally, BYU would at least like to get Emery back by Thanksgiving weekend, when the Cougars will compete against 25th-ranked Alabama and UMass in the Barclay’s Center Classic in Brooklyn, New York.

What does BYU’s lineup and rotation look like without Emery? Emery’s vacated minutes will likely go to a combination of JUCO transfer Jahshire Hardnett and sharpshooter Zac Seljaas. Hardnett was impressive in BYU’s exhibition win at New Mexico, where he had zero turnovers and timely buckets against an aggressive Lobos full court press. The 6’ Hardnett is the quickest player on BYU’s team, and would take over point guard duties when he is in the game.

TJ Haws and Elijah Bryant are locked into the other backcourt positions, and Zac Seljaas will play major minutes regardless of whether Emery is playing or not. Seljaas adds length and outside shooting to BYU’s lineup, while Hardnett adds a steady ball handler and who is efficient and smart with the ball.

BYU plays its final exhibition Wednesday night versus Colorado College before tipping off its regular season Saturday night versus Mississippi Valley State in the Marriott Center.