BYU Basketball Media Day: How to watch, what to look for

We’re deep into football season, but basketball practices have already started and BYU’s opening game versus Nevada is just over a month away. Here is how you can tune in and what questions we would like to see Dave Rose address.

Will BYU receive NCAA sanctions?

Nick Emery will sit out the first 9 games of the season due to allegations of accepting improper benefits, but BYU could also face penalties from the NCAA.

Tom Holmoe said back in August at his annual Education Week Q&A that BYU will find out in the coming months if they will receive further penalties from the NCAA.

Emery’s 9-game suspension was self-imposed by BYU, but the NCAA could decide to put additional sanctions on BYU — e.g., scholarship reductions, postseason bans, etc — depending on the severity of the violations. A postseason ban seems unlikely based on what we know, but a loss of a scholarship could be a potential outcome.

Holmoe said on August 22 that we will know in the next two months, so media day could be the place where we find out whether or not BYU will be facing sanctions.

Will BYU go back to an up-tempo style?

Dave Rose has run an up-tempo system nearly every year he’s been at BYU, but the Cougars significantly reduced the pace last season and played more in the half court with assistant Heath Schroyer on the bench. TJ Haws alluded to the idea that BYU will pick the pace back up, but Rose may address just how much faster BYU will play in comparison to last season.

Who will be the starting 5?

Rose is unlikely to name an exact 5, but it will be curious to see if he nails down roles for players. TJ Haws is best as a point with the ball in his hands, but will he continue to defer point guard responsibilities to Jahshire Hardnett? If Haws is the starting point guard, then Jahshire may come off the bench.

Also, who will start in place of Nick Emery, and will Nick be a starter once he comes back from suspension? BYU has many potential lineups they can trot out, so it will be interesting to see how much Rose divulges.

How much of an immediate impact will the returned missionaries have?

BYU has three 4-star returned missionaries looking to make their college debut this season. Gavin Baxter, Connor Harding and Kolby Lee (Kolby returned in the middle of last a season and redshirted) are all guys who BYU will need to step up right away.

Baxter is the most likely to have an immediate impact due to his length, athleticism and versatility, but Harding and Lee are guys that should see playing time as well.

How to watch:

• When: Thursday, October 4
• Stream on BYUtv.org or the BYUtv app; according to the BYUtv guide, the BYUtv channel will not be showing it. Social Media outlets may live stream as well.
• Dave Rose’s press conference with the media starts at 4:30 MDT and player interviews are scheduled to begin at 4:50.