Vanquish The Foe: All Posts by Steve PierceBYU sports. Messin' with Texas since 1987.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50093/vanquish-fav.png2019-09-30T16:51:17-07:00https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/authors/steve-pierce/rss2019-09-30T16:51:17-07:002019-09-30T16:51:17-07:00Sources: BYU Basketball’s Gavin Baxter suffers shoulder injury, will miss entire 2019-20 season
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<figcaption>Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In another blow to the Cougars’ precarious health, the sophomore standout will redshirt and sit out the entire upcoming campaign.</p> <p id="zTMIGx"><em><strong>UPDATE (9/30/19, 6:08 p.m. MT): </strong></em><strong>Baxter has opted to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, according to a source close to the program. The procedure has a recovery time of approximately six months, which will hold him out of action for the entire 2019-20 season. Baxter will redshirt and return for the Cougars as a sophomore in the 2020-21 season. Read the original report below for additional details.</strong></p>
<p id="YIwrPl">In yet another blow to a BYU basketball team that’s already suffered more than their fair share, sources close to the program tell <em>Vanquish The Foe</em> that sophomore forward <span>Gavin Baxter</span> has suffered a significant shoulder injury and is likely to miss extended time.</p>
<p id="JBQHxr">The injury occurred during one of the Cougars’ preseason practice sessions last week, when Baxter was jockeying for a rebound and got his arms tangled with a teammate. The result: a torn labrum and fractured bone in his right shoulder.</p>
<p id="t7oOHh">Baxter has multiple treatment options for the injury, each of which would sideline him for a different period of time. Because of the specific location and nature of the tear, he could opt to forgo surgery and instead attempt to rehab his labrum through physical therapy. In this scenario, Baxter would likely be away from the court for approximately two months—which would place his return to action somewhere around late November or early December. </p>
<p id="aJHGze">Baxter could also opt to surgically repair the shoulder, which would provide a more direct route to fully addressing the injury, but would likely result in the former Timpview standout missing the entirety of the upcoming season and using his available redshirt to preserve eligibility.</p>
<p id="a0oRBB">While a treatment approach has not yet been selected, a source close to the program indicated that Baxter is considering an attempt to rehab the injury in hopes of suiting up for the Cougars this season. However, this path is not without its risks: the injury could become aggravated and other setbacks could occur, which could lengthen the needed recovery time or result in lingering pain, potentially necessitating a full surgical repair. But despite the potential drawbacks, this is likely the only path that could see Baxter on the court with his teammates at any point this season.</p>
<p id="lx9BBG">The injury is yet another body blow for BYU, who have already absorbed several throughout a turbulent offseason—including a nine-game NCAA suspension for <span>Yoeli Childs</span>, a broken foot for <span>Zac Seljaas</span> and a recent knee surgery for <span>TJ Haws</span>, plus <span>Nick Emery</span>’s sudden exit from the program. </p>
<p id="qKw4Ww">The Cougars headed into the summer with high hopes for an NCAA tournament-worthy campaign, with <span>Childs</span> returning alongside a strong class of seniors and Utah Valley grad transfer Jake Toolson. However, with Baxter potentially out for an extended period of time and <span>Childs</span> now guaranteed to miss most of BYU’s nonconference schedule, expectations for the team may be tempered in some quarters.</p>
<p id="IV5aBJ">Baxter, who was named to the WCC’s all-freshman team in the 2018-2019 season, figured to play a significant role for the Cougars in this year’s campaign—particularly in light of the team’s limited options down low. With Baxter and Childs both now likely to miss significant time, the burden of holding down the post will likely fall to sophomore big man <span>Kolby Lee</span> and senior glue guy <span>Dalton Nixon</span> in their absence.</p>
<p id="0Vole3">One potential boon for BYU? The program is still awaiting word from the NCAA on possible waivers that would make UVU transfers <span>Richard Harward</span> and <span>Wyatt Lowell</span> immediately eligible. If either player were to receive clearance, they could do wonders to help bolster a thin back line for Mark Pope’s squad. However, given the school’s recent history with the NCAA, it may not be wise for Cougar fans to hold their breath.</p>
https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2019/9/30/20891485/sources-byu-basketball-gavin-baxter-shoulder-injury-torn-labrum-reportSteve Pierce2019-07-24T14:18:44-07:002019-07-24T14:18:44-07:00Emery Memories: Our favorite memories of now-departed BYU guard Nick Emery
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<figcaption>Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The VTF staff goes around the horn to share our favorite memories from the gritty guard’s often controversial BYU tenure.</p> <p id="tNMEJW">When BYU guard <span>Nick Emery</span> <a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2019/7/23/20707271/byu-guard-nick-emery-announces-retirement-from-basketball-byus-plan-to-fill-remaining-scholarship">announced his retirement</a> from basketball on Tuesday, it felt a bit like the end of an era. While Emery’s fellow “Lone Peak Three” running mate <span>TJ Haws</span> remains on the roster for one more season, Nick’s exit from the program feels like the close of a chapter that Cougar fans breathlessly speculated about for so long, only to have reality not quite measure up to the (honestly, insanely high) expectations.</p>
<p id="B5nHqz">So no, BYU didn’t make multiple Final Four runs with Emery in Cougar blue. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t many fun memories made along the way! In honor of Nick moving on to the next adventure in his life, we collected the <em>Vanquish The Foe </em>staff’s favorite memories from the often-controversial career of our favorite mercurial lefty gunner.</p>
<h3 id="xLewSb"><strong>Emery sinks 10 threes, scores 37 points in 2016 road rout of San Francisco</strong></h3>
<p id="Pb4o6U"><strong>Steve Pierce: </strong>February 11, 2016 may have been the peak of <span>Nick Emery</span>’s BYU career, at least performance-wise. Emery had many memorable performances, but none more so than the night on the Hilltop when he broke BYU’s single-game freshman scoring record by dropping 37 big ones on an unsuspecting San Francisco squad, including tying <span>Chase Fischer</span>’s program record with 10 made threes. It was quite the sight to behold. Truth be told, watching the highlights still brings a smile to my face:</p>
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<p id="bPOCCW">If you’ll recall, this was near the end of Emery’s outstanding freshman season, when he was well on his way to becoming an all-conference player in the WCC—but this game may have single-handedly solidified his status. As a Cougar fan who was sentient during both the <span>Jimmer Fredette</span> and Tyler Haws eras, I’ve seen my fair share of scoring explosions by BYU guards. Heck, I saw Fischer’s aforementioned three-point barrage <a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/byu-cougars-basketball/2014/11/25/7288499/chase-fischer-three-point-shooting-chaminade-maui-record">live from press row</a> in Maui! But I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone get quite as scorching hot as Emery was on that night in San Francisco. The Dons had no answer for him. Nick seemed totally unstoppable. And if anything, the fact that he was at that point still just a freshman only elevated the performance. If he could do something like this in his first full season of college basketball, imagine the incredible feats that awaited him! </p>
<p id="HxDX0V">Obviously, that didn’t end up being the case. Nick fought through more than his fair share of adversity, both on and off the court, and I admire him for that. And while he never quite reached the heights that many of us (probably himself included) thought he would in a BYU uniform, for this one night, up on the Hilltop, <span>Nick Emery</span> was a golden god and everything seemed possible. Even if that moment ultimately proved to be fleeting, I’m glad we all got to witness it—and I’ll probably still be smiling when I think about it for years to come.</p>
<h3 id="tx0oT5"><strong>Emery hits clinching three-pointer to knock off Gonzaga</strong></h3>
<p id="b0SjDG"><strong>Robby McCombs: </strong>I’ll always remember Nick Emery as a competitor and a fighter (get out your Utah jokes now). As a freshman in the 2015-2016 season, Nick had one of the best freshman seasons in BYU history as third guard in a trio with <span>Kyle Collinsworth</span> and Chase Fischer. </p>
<p id="0YiW67">Quick recap of that Gonzaga game: this was in January 2016 and was the second of three straight BYU wins in the Kennel. Gonzaga was ranked 25 going into the game, and BYU won when <span>Nate Austin</span> blocked <span>Kyle Wiltjer</span> at the win just before the buzzer sounded. </p>
<p id="6Yu2ZY">The winning basket, however, came from Emery. And it wasn’t just that Nick made the winning basket, but how he did it; he had zero points for the first 38 minutes of the game and was struggling to find his shot the whole night. With 1:38 left in game, Nick took a pass from Chase Fischer and launched from deeeep three point range without hesitation. He sank the basket to put BYU up 69-67, in a game BYU ultimately won, 69-68. </p>
<p id="oF2sqw">That to me is a microcosm of Nick’s BYU career — he had his ups and down, but fought through tough times to come back when his back was against the wall. </p>
<p id="M3YPrs">You can see the shot below at the 45-second mark. </p>
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<h3 id="VkrAn0"><strong>Nick Emery returns from suspension with immediate impact off the bench</strong></h3>
<p id="QxtjwY"><strong>Tyler Staten:</strong> I’ll always remember Nick Emery as a fierce competitor. I first learned that while attending his rival high school watching him light us up, and I loved it at BYU. While he had greater performances, my favorite Nick Emery memory will be his first game back last December against Utah State. We were all aware of his year away and the suspension, but very few of us really understood all that he went through during that time. </p>
<p id="kCsiYM">His first game back was a massive one too. BYU had just embarrassingly lost to Weber State and was on a three game skid. Utah State was considered by many to be the favorite. BYU would eventually win the game behind phenomenal performances from <span>Yoeli Childs</span> and <span>TJ Haws</span>, but my favorite part of the game was when Nick Emery stepped on the court. </p>
<p id="92OimX">Nick was welcomed by a strong ovation. Moments later, <span>TJ Haws</span> would drive to the baseline, turn, and find Emery beyond the three-point line. Nick caught the ball smoothly and pulled up and nailed his first bucket back from the arc. He and TJ shared a smile, but moments later Emery would get a steal and an assist before a Utah State timeout. The Marriott Center was LOUD, and you couldn’t help but feel happy for Nick.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nick Emery looks like he never left. Another 3 for the Cougars!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BYUHoops?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BYUHoops</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BYUvsUSU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BYUvsUSU</a> <a href="https://t.co/aoc5UH8t9k">pic.twitter.com/aoc5UH8t9k</a></p>— BYUtv Sports (@byutvsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/byutvsports/status/1070503771506073600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2018</a>
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<p id="Egkxbz">The rest of the season wasn’t spectacular for Nick. He took a backseat role in a mediocre season. But it was undoubtedly a key moment in his career and will be my favorite Nick moment that I remember him for. Best wishes to Nick and his new family.</p>
<h3 id="JsIkvv">
<strong>Emery does his best Kyle Collinsworth impression to send BYU to the </strong><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nit-tournament"><strong>NIT</strong></a><strong> semifinal</strong>
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<p id="v8qksQ"><strong>Keith Shirts: </strong>This was said only one time over the PA system of the Marriott Center.</p>
<p id="T13dUl">“Starting at <em>point guard</em>, a 6-foot-2 Freshman from Alpine, Utah... Nick Emery!”</p>
<p id="rrPwkE">The game was against <a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2016/12/30/13589860/byu-basketball-hoops-kyle-collinsworth-flu-creighton-blue-jays-2016-game-of-the-year">Creighton in the 2016 NIT Quarterfinals</a> — which was probably the most meaningful victory of Nick Emery’s career as BYU won 88-82. Sure, Nick beat highly-ranked Gonzaga a few times. But, this one was a do-or-die, post-season win that sent the Cougars to Madison Square Garden. </p>
<p id="Z2JYVG">Emery was the key performer in the game. Despite being called to do something he’d never do at any other time in his career — run the offense from the point. </p>
<p id="MOR0Af">On the morning of the game, it was clear the Collinsworth wasn’t going to be a full go. He had a terrible case of flu. This was a problem. The Cougars had <em>everything</em> run through the West Coast Conference Player of the Year — Mr. Triple Double — Kyle Collinsworth. He didn’t really have a backup. </p>
<p id="6oeTb5">Emery rose to the occasion. In a game where it could have been easy for the Y to lose their identity and panic, Nick calmly led the Cougars on the floor with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. A Kyle Collinsworth-esque performance. He showed poise and confidence. Only the freshman Emery had to change his approach to the game that night, there rest of the 15-16 Cougars still looked themselves.</p>
<p id="IO0ysA">That night was a showcase for the gift Nick Emery had for the game. Frequently, Nick identified what his team needed and he was talented enough to do what the game asked of his skills. On that night, he needed to play like an All-Conference caliber point guard and <em>he did it</em>. Amazing. What a gift.</p>
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https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2019/7/24/20707548/emery-memories-our-favorite-memories-of-now-departed-byu-guard-nick-emerySteve Pierce2019-04-07T12:13:10-07:002019-04-07T12:13:10-07:00Here are the latest updates on BYU basketball’s coaching search
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Utah Valley at Gonzaga" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/031bLlSW0ZqV5Eq5bhsiPsbxX1s=/28x0:2890x1908/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63363804/usa_today_9679067.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>James Snook-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The university has submitted four finalists to Salt Lake for approval by Church leadership, a source tells VTF.</p> <p id="plegDQ">BYU is closing in on selecting a new head coach to lead its men’s basketball program, following Dave Rose’s retirement after 14 successful seasons.</p>
<p id="6UfV9U">In keeping with university policy, the school has submitted four candidates’ names for approval by leaders of its governing institution, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to a source with knowledge of the process. Those final four candidates shouldn’t be surprising to anyone following the search: Utah Valley head coach Mark Pope, Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Mark Madsen, Portland State head coach Barret Peery and current BYU interim head coach Quincy Lewis.</p>
<p id="s1KbGf">The university requires all head coaches of its athletic programs to be church members in good standing, which means an ecclesiastical endorsement from church leadership is a prerequisite for any hire. The athletic department will await Salt Lake’s sign-off on all or some of the submitted candidates before further winnowing their list.</p>
<p id="J3Fs2m">Once the candidates have been cleared, a source with knowledge of the process tells Vanquish The Foe that the university intends to determine their top two candidates and hold final interviews next week, with the goal of making a final selection by the end of the week. The Cougars hope to have the new coach and his staff in place in time to hit the ground running during the upcoming April live recruiting period, which occurs from April 26-28.</p>
<p id="Nom1sa">Pope remains widely regarded as the front runner for the post. Despite media reports and private intimations from the coach’s circle to the contrary, sources with direct knowledge of the process insist that no offer has been extended. However, most observers believe that the job is likely to be Pope’s if he wants it. Whether or not he wants it remains the question. Pope possesses well-known aspirations to coach a major college program (with his alma mater Kentucky serving as his ultimate dream job), and questions abound whether BYU would actually serve as an effective stepping stone on his way up the coaching ladder. </p>
<p id="86XCgo">With its selective academic standards and stringent Honor Code, Provo can be a tough place to secure the talent needed to win big and quickly move on to bigger things. Pope may be better positioned to advance by staying at Utah Valley, where he has a strong roster returning that could qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, or by pursuing one of many vacancies at other schools that will surely come available as the season ends and the coaching carousel continues to spin. Somewhere like Nevada — which Eric Musselman has rapidly transformed into a premier mid-major program by landing high-profile transfer talent, setting the coach up for a near-certain promotion this offseason — would seem to be a good fit for Pope’s transfer-heavy recruiting style and a proven path to bigger opportunities.</p>
<p id="kvWros">If Pope ultimately passes on the gig, both Madsen and Peery have pursued the job doggedly. Madsen’s circle has been <a href="https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900063976/los-angeles-lakers-assistant-mark-madsen-interviewed-for-byu-head-coaching-vacancy.html">open in the press</a> about the former Stanford big man’s desire to live closer to his Utah-based family, and that he sees the BYU gig as the right solution at the right time. (With the Lakers reportedly planning to terminate their entire coaching staff, Madsen is widely expected to become unemployed at the end of the NBA season.) His rich NBA pedigree and decade of experience developing pro players could position Madsen as a strong recruiter, with the ability to convincingly sell prospects on his ability to help them improve their craft and prepare for the next level — a case that hasn’t been convincingly made in Provo in a long time, if ever.</p>
<p id="S8InxR">Peery has already met with athletic department personnel twice, according to a source with knowledge of the process, and has left a deep impression on decision makers in both encounters. He also reportedly chatted with several current players during his second visit on Monday. Peery, a native of Payson, is beloved and has deep roots in Utah’s grassroots basketball community, and has proven his bonafides as a recruiter over multiple stops at the junior college level and as a Division I assistant at Arizona State, Utah, Santa Clara and more. He has also shown a willingness to get creative with his on-court tactics at Portland State — a trait that could be useful in finding fresh ways to overcome BYU’s inherent limitations.</p>
<p id="voWAAp">The athletic department has been persistent in wanting someone who really wants to be at BYU—and it seems that either Madsen or Peery would fit that bill. Ultimately, the final decision will turn heavily on what Mark Pope wants — and whether he thinks a stop at BYU is the best path to getting there. History indicates that it might not be. But if their first-choice candidate ultimately chooses to go a different route, Cougar fans can rest easy knowing that their program has to qualified, passionate professionals still available to step in and take the reins.</p>
<p id="qdkWeX"><em>(UPDATE, April 7: This story has been updated to reflect new reporting and more up-to-date information.)</em></p>
https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2019/4/5/18297553/byu-basketball-coaching-search-updates-mark-pope-mark-madsen-barret-peery-quincy-lewisSteve Pierce2019-01-07T18:18:29-08:002019-01-07T18:18:29-08:00Sources: BYU basketball guard Jahshire Hardnett to transfer
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Brigham Young at Mississippi State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TvG3xwi6jCIRvzyt6KEFD3vjeHY=/0x0:6456x4304/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62803611/usa_today_11912664.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Sources tell Vanquish The Foe that the Mississippi native has left the program after dissatisfaction with his role. </p> <p id="2vWZE1">BYU basketball guard <span>Jahshire Hardnett</span> has reportedly left the program following long-standing dissatisfaction with his role. Multiple sources close to the team confirmed the move to Vanquish The Foe. </p>
<p id="1ydLIg">Tensions seemed to boil over in the Cougars’ road game against conference rival Saint Mary’s on Saturday evening, when <span>Hardnett</span> could be seen vocally showing his displeasure toward the BYU coaching staff on the bench. A starter as recently as last week, he played only 5 minutes in the team’s lopsided loss. He did not show up to the team’s scheduled practice or film session on Monday.</p>
<p id="9km1XW">As might be expected after the acrimony in Moraga, <span>Hardnett</span>’s exit did not take many close to the program by surprise. Sources confirmed that the Mississippi native had been unhappy for a long time and had planned to graduate from BYU in April before transferring to a school closer to home for his final year of eligibility. It seems that plan was short-circuited by the weekend’s events.</p>
<p id="eewOLp">The timing of Hardnett’s decision could be strategic. Monday was the first day of classes in BYU’s winter semester. By withdrawing now, before the start of the term, he may be hoping to preserve his ability to transfer and join another Division I program midway through next season, without using the NCAA’s graduate transfer rule. (Hardnett’s exact plans remained unclear at the time of publication.)</p>
<p id="fE9jT7">Hardnett had taken on a reduced role in the Cougars’ rotation following <span>Nick Emery</span>’s return from suspension in December, forced to share minutes on the guard line with a scion of one of the program’s most recognizable families. However, despite the decreased playing time, Hardnett remained a key part of the Cougar attack, providing a quick first step and ability to get to the basket off the dribble that was unique among his teammates. Most recently, he converted a string of clutch free throws to clinch BYU’s first road victory of the season over Pacific on Thursday.</p>
<p id="L7u7o0">Hardnett was averaging 10.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists prior to his departure.</p>
https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2019/1/7/18173107/sources-byu-basketball-guard-jahshire-hardnett-transfer-exitSteve Pierce2018-11-17T16:51:18-08:002018-11-17T16:51:18-08:00BYU basketball offers three 2020 prospects from powerhouse Wasatch Academy
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Brigham Young at Gonzaga" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HGKutw6BVP_4nDgRc5cRZzooMoI=/0x0:3482x2321/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62350448/usa_today_9921878.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>James Snook-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cougars’ pursuit of Mady Sissoko, Richie Saunders and Leonardo Colimerio may signal the opening of a new front in Dave Rose’s recruiting efforts.</p> <p id="RDZlcB">The BYU men’s basketball program has extended scholarship offers to three top players at nearby prep powerhouse Wasatch Academy, according to a source familiar with the players’ recruitment.</p>
<p id="BsFSkw">Nationally ranked, four-star big man Mady Sissoko, former Riverton standout guard Richie Saunders and Brazilian slasher Leonardo Colimerio are all being hotly pursued by Coach Dave Rose’s staff over the past year. In addition to being teammates at Wasatch (along with 2019 BYU commit Bernardo Da Silva), the trio also play together on the Utah Mountain Stars AAU team, coached by BYU legend Marty Haws.</p>
<p id="WhEr1q">All three players have received significant interest from several high-major programs, but sources say BYU remains firmly in the mix with a solid chance to land each.</p>
<p id="Jqjcmq">Landing any of the three prospects would be a coup for BYU and, along with Da Silva’s commitment, could signal the opening of a valuable pipeline to Wasatch Academy’s trove of top talent that had previously been unavailable to the Cougars, despite the Mount Pleasant school’s proximity to Provo.</p>
<p id="621LiA">For those unfamiliar with the program’s ascension, Wasatch Academy has become one of the premier prep basketball programs in the country over the last decade. Under the direction of the late Geno Morgan and his successor Curtis Condie, the Tigers have lured top talent from across the globe to their tiny Utah town with the promise of playing a national schedule that will pit them against the nation’s best teams.</p>
<p id="I6eQdG">The formula has worked, with former Wasatch players like Arizona’s <span>Emmanuel Akot</span> and Marquette’s <span>Koby McEwen</span> landing at big-time schools, and the program ascending the national rankings. (Wasatch Academy is currently <a href="http://ballislife.com/preseason-2018-19-fab-50-top-15-teams/">ranked 10th</a> in the preseason FAB 50 national team rankings.)</p>
<p id="7QFTqb">However, despite this abundance of prime prospects stationed less than an hour from campus, BYU has never had much luck pulling players from the program. Sources within the Utah prep hoops scene say much of this could be attributed to Condie’s personal distaste for the school. (He was once <a href="https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865695038/The-rise-of-Wasatch-Academy-How-a-small-private-school-in-central-Utah-became-a-national-basketball.html">quoted</a> as saying, “I went to Utah State; I obey rules. I didn’t go to BYU.”) But regardless of the reason, there’s no question that Rose and his staff have failed to make in-roads at Wasatch.</p>
<p id="NHm6sU">Until now. With Da Silva already signed as part of their 2019 class, and the potential to add up to three additional Tigers in 2020, the obvious question becomes: What changed? Well, the coaching staff, for one. Condie recently left the school to take a college coaching job at Utah State Eastern, with former Lone Peak High School coach (and well-known Rose ally) David Evans taking over as the head man at Wasatch. </p>
<p id="qjTcm4">Recruiting is so often about not just connecting with the players, but also the trusted family members and advisors they surround themselves with — including their coaches. With BYU-friendly voices like Evans and Haws now helming these prospects’ high school and AAU teams, respectively, it’s not hard to imagine how the Cougars might finally be finding a more sympathetic ear than in years past.</p>
<p id="ScL9SE">Of course, we’re engaging in some (informed) speculation here. And we shouldn’t discount the personal relationships that Rose and his assistants have undoubtedly spent a lot of time building with these individual recruits, because those are usually among the most crucial elements in a player’s final decision. But it certainly can’t hurt to have a little bit more access to help you start building those relationships in the first place.</p>
<p id="eLU1mP">Whatever the reason, let’s take a closer look at each of these newest Cougar prospects — complete with thoughts on their individual strengths from one of the people who may know their games best: their AAU coach Marty Haws.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="QmzZhk">
<h3 id="UJ8v6g">Mady Sissoko</h3>
<p id="6uRll7">Sissoko is a 6-foot-9 center with incredible athleticism (just watch the video below) and a sky-high ceiling. Originally hailing from Mali, he has already established himself as one of the top recruits in the class of 2020, despite only playing organized basketball for two years. College coaches are drooling over what he could become with more coaching and game experience — and that’s why he’s a consensus four-star prospect.</p>
<p id="bplgi4"><strong>National Rankings:</strong> Sissoko is ranked 38th by 247 Sports, 47th by ESPN, and 79th by Rivals in the class of 2020.</p>
<p id="6GtMWZ"><strong>Offers:</strong> Sissoko holds a ton of offers, including from high-major programs like Arizona, Gonzaga, Texas Tech, Colorado, Utah, Oregon State and among many others.</p>
<p id="ifaAnf"><strong>Coach Haws’ Take:</strong> “Mady has Elite Athleticism and is a high level Rim Protector. He has a VERY High Ceiling. Mady is still learning the game of basketball. I am confident he will continue to improve offensively.”</p>
<div id="nXMACd"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G4h73ZQetxM?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="IYClpP">
<h3 id="ZIP6fP">Richie Saunders</h3>
<p id="Yuyrbe">Saunders is a 6-foot-4 sharpshooting guard who can score from everywhere. He is a new arrival at Wasatch Academy, having transferred from Riverton where he garnered 6A first team all-state honors last season as a sophomore. He averaged 18.8 points per game and hit his fair share of clutch shots to lift his team to victory. “Whatever his team needs, he seems to provide it,” an opposing coach <a href="https://www.deseretnews.com/top/4018/6/Richie-Saunders-Riverton.html">told</a> the Deseret News. “With opposing defenses draped all over him, he continually hits big shot after big shot when his team needs it most.”</p>
<p id="mSLzV6">Offers: Saunders holds offers from Butler, Princeton and Texas Tech, among others.</p>
<p id="prpK7o"><strong>Coach Haws’ Take:</strong> “Richie is a very good shooter and a consistent scorer. He is also a really good finisher in transition. Richie can score at all three levels. He possesses a special mid-range game. He can really stuff the stat sheet.”</p>
<div id="aeu4l4"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/225326884?byline=0&badge=0&portrait=0&title=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="kpdGNX">
<h3 id="OLhzs4">Leonardo Colimerio</h3>
<p id="HV4ezz">Colimerio is a 6-foot-6 wing player who excels using his length and athleticism slashing to the rim in transition — which would seem to be a particularly good fit for BYU’s brand of basketball. Like his Wasatch teammate and current Cougar signee Da Silva, Leo hails from Brazil. He’s only been in the U.S. for one year, and he recently <a href="https://www.prephoops.com/2018/07/prospect-spotlight-leo-colimerio-2020/">told</a> PrepHoops.com that it’s been a bit of a transition, both on and off the court. However, he seems to have adjusted fine. “I played pick-up at BYU and the coach told me he liked my game,” he said.</p>
<p id="mcBG2E"><strong>National Rankings:</strong> Colimerio is ranked 78th by 247 Sports and 105th by Rivals in the class of 2020.</p>
<p id="B3meRg"><strong>Offers: </strong>Colimerio holds an offer from Colorado, and has received interest from Utah, Oregon State, UVU and Seattle.</p>
<p id="y9HoBp"><strong>Coach Haws’ Take: </strong>“Leo plays a slasher style of basketball. He is a really good finisher in transition. Leo can guard multiple positions. He is a great teammate and a much-improved shooter.”</p>
<div id="J525fa"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.0412%;"><iframe src="https://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x6gw50m" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="wy6Wag"></p>
https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2018/11/17/18098492/byu-basketball-offers-mady-sissoko-richie-saunders-leonardo-colimerio-wasatch-academySteve Pierce2018-11-12T06:30:02-08:002018-11-12T06:30:02-08:00Shut Up and Jimmer podcast: Are the NCAA’s sanctions on BYU basketball unfair?
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Gonzaga at Brigham Young" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/l3SXDJbEg0svFzION86x3J1BTog=/0x0:3503x2335/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62274699/usa_today_10654110.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Steve Pierce and Robby McCombs discuss the new NCAA sanctions handed down against BYU, and recap the Cougars’ first two games of the season.</p> <p id="WahOUV">It was an eventful first week of the BYU basketball season — and not just because of what happened on the hardwood.</p>
<p id="mnJmp4">In the second episode of our brand new, all-hoops podcast, <em>Shut Up and Jimmer</em>, Vanquish The Foe’s own Steve Pierce and Robby McCombs discuss the new sanctions handed down against the Cougars by the NCAA. Was this a fair resolution to the <span>Nick Emery</span> improper benefits saga? Did the punishment fit the crime? And how will this impact BYU moving forward? We discuss it all, and you can listen using the player embedded below.</p>
<p id="XMhbdW">We also look back at the first two games of the season — a hard-fought loss (and perhaps a moral victory of sorts?) to the No. 7 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/nevada-wolf-pack">Nevada Wolf Pack,</a> and an ugly win over the crosstown rival Utah Valley Wolverines. What was good? What was bad? And what should BYU fans take away from these performances? All you have to do is listen (again, using the player below!) to find out.</p>
<p id="znufBk"><em>Shut Up and Jimmer</em> is available on all major podcast platforms — including <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shut-up-and-jimmer/id1441236645?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4">Apple Podcasts</a>. <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/01OXrbSO9zHznH29riyvzP">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy83OTA5Y2E4L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz">Google Podcasts</a> and <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/anchor-podcasts/shut-up-and-jimmer">Stitcher</a>. We’ll release new episodes weekly on Mondays throughout the season, where we’ll break down the latest action from the boys in blue, look ahead to future matchups and maybe even talk a little recruiting. </p>
<p id="FLIa7H">Listen to Episode 2 of <em>Shut Up and Jimmer</em> here:</p>
<div id="yQJxxl"><iframe src="https://anchor.fm/shut-up-and-jimmer/embed/episodes/Week-2-NCAA-Sanctions--Nevada-and-Utah-Valley-Recap-e2ipbq" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>
https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2018/11/12/18086768/shut-up-and-jimmer-podcast-ncaa-sanctions-byu-basketball-nevada-utah-valleySteve PierceRobby McCombs2018-11-05T07:08:19-08:002018-11-05T07:08:19-08:00Shut Up and Jimmer podcast: Previewing BYU basketball’s 2018-19 season
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: West Coast Conference Tournament-Saint Mary’s vs BYU" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VnShn6Iy31piSVr7E-QNm-EfIDI=/0x0:2183x1455/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62188437/usa_today_10682558.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Steve Pierce and Robby McCombs dive deep to get you ready for BYU basketball season on VTF’s newest podcast.</p> <p id="WahOUV">Basketball season is here! (Or more accurately, it’s approximately 24 hours away.)</p>
<p id="mnJmp4">To help you get ready to roar, Vanquish The Foe’s own Steve Pierce and Robby McCombs are diving deep on this year’s <a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/">BYU Cougars</a> squad in the very first episode of our brand new, all-hoops podcast, <em>Shut Up and Jimmer</em>. You can listen using the player embedded below.</p>
<p id="ll0M4J">On this week’s show, we preview the upcoming BYU basketball season, delving into key storylines and questions, including:</p>
<ul>
<li id="LDdOQw">What can we expect to be different from last year’s team?</li>
<li id="LSEfuG">Who are going to be the key players for the Cougars to be successful?</li>
<li id="HXGlZu">What will <span>Nick Emery</span>’s impact be once he returns from suspension?</li>
<li id="11bSpV">Who needs to take it to the next level to ensure BYU makes it back to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/a/march-madness-2018-ncaa-tournament">NCAA Tournament</a>?</li>
<li id="QPzWTW">What can we expect from the newcomers?</li>
<li id="nz8Uuc">Will this year’s nonconference schedule be improved enough to build the Cougars’ postseason resume?</li>
</ul>
<p id="XMhbdW">We also share our predictions for the season, as well as discussing BYU’s Week 1 matchups with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/nevada-wolf-pack">Nevada Wolf Pack</a> and Utah Valley Wolverines.</p>
<p id="znufBk"><em>Shut Up and Jimmer</em> will release new episodes weekly on Mondays throughout the season, where we’ll break down the latest action from the boys in blue, look ahead to future matchups and maybe even talk a little recruiting. </p>
<p id="DvpsNJ">We hope you’ll join us for the journey. You can take the first step by checking out our first episode below!</p>
<div id="yQJxxl"><iframe src="https://anchor.fm/shut-up-and-jimmer/embed/episodes/Week-1-Season-Preview--Nevada-and-Utah-Valley-Lookahead-e2he9a" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>
<p id="x5Tx7N"></p>
https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2018/11/5/18058300/shut-up-and-jimmer-podcast-preview-byu-basketball-2018-19-seasonSteve PierceRobby McCombs2018-10-30T08:04:01-07:002018-10-30T08:04:01-07:00BYU Basketball Season Preview: Guards
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Brigham Young at Gonzaga" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jEQMcEiG76krUmM_02oed61tPfo=/0x0:1860x1240/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61957497/usa_today_10586110.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>James Snook-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Let’s talk about the short(er) guys.</p> <p id="EF6fng">Ladies and gentlemen, basketball season is upon us.</p>
<p id="WFqPeT">We’re a week away from the <a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/">BYU Cougars</a> taking the hardwood for the first time this season, when they’ll travel to Reno to take on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/nevada-wolf-pack">Nevada Wolf Pack</a> next week.</p>
<p id="noga4J">All of which means this is as good a time as any to take a look at what the boys and blue will be offering on the guard line this year — including returning contributors, fresh faces and perhaps even an old friend returned to the fold.</p>
<p id="KWnRFP">Let’s go through them one by one.</p>
<h3 id="BZs7dH"><span>TJ Haws</span></h3>
<p id="rWnA43">The youngest from the great and noble house of Haws is finally a junior, which means he’s now entering the prime of his collegiate career. And as such, the Cougars are going to need the so-called “Ginger Mamba” to produce consistently if they want to take the next step forward. </p>
<p id="ES5HjD">That’s well within the realm of possibility. No player stands to gain as much from assistant coach Heath Schroyer’s exit than Haws, who frequently looked out-of-place and unsure of himself in Schroyer’s offensive scheme last season, leading to uncharacteristically uneven results. </p>
<p id="oH3Rqg">The reality is that, in order to thrive, Haws needs the ball in his hands, allowing him to create for both himself and for his teammates. When he has that freedom and control, he is often his best self on the court — and he has a knack for making his teammates better too. </p>
<p id="uwUwiW">If head coach Dave Rose can find more ways to put him in a position to succeed this year, he may unlock some of the best basketball of young TJ’s career at a time the Cougars desperately need it.</p>
<h3 id="DeK6zO"><span>Jahshire Hardnett</span></h3>
<p id="JsUQuI">Speaking of guys the Cougars really need to play well in order to succeed, let’s talk about the pride of Gulfport, Mississippi. Hardnett has skills that no other BYU player can offer in quite the same way. His quickness and ball-handling skills allow him to penetrate into the paint, either getting to the basket for his own offense or creating kick-out opportunities to shooters left open by the opposition’s collapsing defense. And that quickness also translates to the defensive side of the ball, where he’s one of the (distressingly few) defenders who can be relied upon to be able to stay in front of opposing point guards, preventing BYU from having to rotate to help and, thus, opening up even more weaknesses. </p>
<p id="Tp1uMP">However, despite these obvious strengths, Jahshire had a somewhat up-and-down first campaign in Provo. His quickness was too often neutralized by opposing defenses’ lack of respect for his three-point shooting ability, as Hardnett connected on only 32 percent of his attempts. This shortcoming allowed defenders to sag off on the perimeter, making it easier for them to stay in front and cut off Jahshire’s drives before he reached his mark, even though he usually possessed an advantage in quickness. </p>
<p id="Dsby5c">If Hardnett is to truly live up to his potential — and the Cougars will certainly need him to play a significant role to reach their goals — he will need to knock down those perimeter shots at a higher clip this season, which should open up those driving lanes and unlock all the benefits that come with his aggressive attacks into the lane. There have been good signs so far in the exhibitions, where Hardnett has shot the ball confidently and looked more decisive in his play overall. BYU will need that performance to carry over to the real games when they travel to Reno next week.</p>
<h3 id="jZS4B0"><span>Nick Emery</span></h3>
<p id="U8ezTw">The prodigal son returns. A year after shocking BYU fans by abruptly withdrawing from school on the eve of the 2017-18 season, Nick Emery is poised to be back in Cougar blue — after a pretty significant delay. Thanks to a suspension handed down for violations of NCAA rules, Emery will sit out the team’s first nine contests, making him eligible to return against Utah State on December 5. </p>
<p id="d0sHiC">Thankfully (and perhaps by design?), the nonconference schedule is fairly backloaded, so Nick should be available for high-profile matchups with Utah, UNLV, San Diego State and Mississippi State — but it remains to be seen how quickly and seamlessly the squad will be able to reabsorb his presence on the fly.</p>
<p id="Ud6T5N">When he’s locked in, Emery is a valuable asset that could help take this BYU team to another level. He’s a defensive demon who has consistently been one of the Cougars’ best (if not <em>the</em> best) perimeter defenders since the moment he set foot on the Marriott Center hardwood. And he’s a dangerous offensive player who opposing defenses have to account for at all times. Sure, his shot might be a bit streaky at times, but he’s already proven that he can pour 30 points on you with little notice — and when a player has that kind of explosive potential, you’re going to take him seriously.</p>
<p id="wpNo1V">But even though he has the potential to be a massive addition on both sides of the ball, it may be Emery’s intangibles that the team has missed the most in his absence. Nick’s as competitive a player as you’ll find, and the fire and edge with which he plays the game can be infectious — offering something that no other player on the roster can reliably duplicate. That little bit of attitude felt like it was missing from last year’s Cougar squad, and with Emery back in the fold, hopefully it can be rediscovered and properly harnessed for positive effect.</p>
<h3 id="o9kmjE"><span>McKay Cannon</span></h3>
<p id="5aaCcG">It would have been pretty hard for McKay Cannon to duplicate his introduction to the BYU faithful. After becoming eligible in a surprise decision in late November, the Weber State transfer was pressed into duty quickly, turning in impressive performances in big moments against in-state competitors Utah Valley and Utah State — including a 17-point performance in the latter contest. Everyone sat up and took notice.</p>
<p id="ZC2Lh5">It seemed unrealistic to expect Cannon to sustain that pace, and it was, with his effectiveness tailing off considerably over the course of the season. (He never reached double-figure scoring again.) Now on scholarship, McKay figures to provide some needed bench minutes on the guard line this season, particularly prior to Emery’s return.</p>
<p id="Edd59q">While he won’t wow you with any one particular skill, Cannon remains a solid all-around player who can give your starters a couple minutes of breathing time. He may not take over the game or do much that’s spectacular, but he’ll be in the right spots and make the right plays. As the doctors say: “Do No Harm.”</p>
<p id="PvA0Wy">He’ll need to do that quite a bit in November, with the Cougars down a guard. Though Haws, Hardnett and Emery figure to soak up the lion’s share of the minutes on the perimeter after that point, Cannon should factor prominently into whether BYU can get through the opening month of the season with minimal damage.</p>
<h3 id="pqTgBr"><span>Connor Harding</span></h3>
<p id="ipBS9r">And finally, a fresh face! Having recently returned from a two-year mission, Harding is looking to make an impact in his freshman season — and he should have ample opportunity.</p>
<p id="YPFGUr">Standing at 6-foot-6, Harding has good size for a guard and a history of playing effectively with the ball in his hands at the high school and AAU levels. Though he hasn’t put up gaudy numbers in exhibition play thus far, Connor just seems to always be doing good things on both ends of the floor. His size and athleticism allow him to be an effective rebounder (especially for his position) and capable defender, and he’s shown a willingness to confidently take and make threes, while also getting into the paint to create looks for himself (including at the free throw line) and others (he notched four assists in 19 minutes against Saint Martin’s).</p>
<p id="y4ksgO">Even though he’s playing just his first collegiate minutes and still has a lot to learn, Harding simply looks like he has a “feel” for the game. He looks comfortable, like he knows what he’s doing out there — even if he probably doesn’t right now. To be honest, the player that his game most strongly resembles is another big BYU guard who could do a bit of everything: Kyle Collinsworth. Take that with the appropriate helping of salt (he hasn’t played in a real game yet!), and by no means am I saying we have the second coming of the triple-double machine on ours hands here in Harding, but I’m also not saying we <em>don’t </em>have those things. Time will tell, but it should be fun to watch Connor develop as the season unfolds.</p>
https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2018/10/30/18041222/byu-basketball-season-preview-guards-tj-haws-nick-emery-jahshire-hardnettSteve Pierce2018-06-01T13:38:17-07:002018-06-01T13:38:17-07:00Jimmer Fredette will participate in The Basketball Tournament, eyes NBA return
<figure>
<img alt="Portland Trail Blazers v New York Knicks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XSwQ0tZ67XJ4bkKOTiTrfl44BVc=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59926851/513221398.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Elsa/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cougar legend hopes playing for the $2 million prize will help him catch the eye of some NBA decision-makers.</p> <p id="S6Bdyc">BYU basketball legend <span>Jimmer Fredette</span> plans to play in this year’s iteration of The Basketball Tournament, a high-level summer event whose $2 million grand prize draws several professional players from the NBA fringe and overseas leagues. Fredette hopes to use the stateside exposure to land a gig back in the NBA after his current contract with the Shanghai Sharks expires.</p>
<p id="vXdX7p">Here’s a window into Fredette’s thinking from the <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23669258/jimmer-fredette-play-basketball-tournament-hopes-nba-return">original ESPN report</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="n74sVP">Jimmer Fredette, the former BYU star and first-round NBA draft pick, will compete in this year’s edition of The Basketball Tournament with one goal in mind -- earn another spot in the NBA.</p>
<p id="BaSEBR">”I would always love to get another chance in the NBA,” Fredette told ESPN.com. “I’ve gotten better in China and improved every year. ... You hope somebody takes notice.”</p>
<p id="HIEAMC">[...]</p>
<p id="4ww1mH">He said his time in China has helped him mature as a player. The competition in the TBT, he said, will help him prove it.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="mkkjAz">The strategy isn’t a bad one for Fredette, if he’s intent on making one more run at a stateside return. All in all, 68 former NBA players laced up in the TBT last year — with 16 signing contracts with NBA teams this season, according to the event’s organizers.</p>
<p id="REEUmi">Jimmer still has a year remaining on his two-year contract in China, which he intends to honor, meaning that any NBA shot likely couldn’t come before the end of next year’s CBA season — usually in February, just as the NBA’s post-All Star Break buyout market is heating up. That timing could offer some fortuitous opportunities for BYU’s all-time leading scorer, if he’s able to catch the right team executive’s eye with his play over the summer.</p>
<p id="vKFxpV">Fredette sponsored and coached a team in last year’s TBT, Team Fredette, but he’ll officially cross over the sideline and onto the court this summer. Here’s to a chance to watch Jimmer do his thing on American soil again very soon!</p>
https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2018/6/1/17418670/byu-basketball-jimmer-fredette-participate-tbt-tournament-nba-returnSteve Pierce2018-05-15T18:18:03-07:002018-05-15T18:18:03-07:00Report: BYU hoops schedules series with Nevada
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-South Regional-Loyola vs Nevada" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wsL3cAoW8EdWiwgP0q6x-7Ivthg=/0x64:3086x2121/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59747107/usa_today_10727070.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cougars will start their 2018 season against the Wolf Pack in Reno.</p> <p id="qe3uYg">BYU will start its 2018-19 basketball season on the road against a top-flight opponent, according to reports.</p>
<p id="XYaMRZ">The Cougars will reportedly travel to Reno to take on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/nevada-wolf-pack">Nevada Wolf Pack</a> on November 6. Nevada has agreed to return the favor with a yet-to-be-scheduled game in Provo in the 2019-2020 season. FRS Sports’ Jon Rothstein was the first to <a href="https://frshoopz.com/cbb/rothstein-nevada-to-open-18-19-season-in-reno-against-byu/">report</a> on the agreement, which has subsequently been <a href="https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/college/nevada/2018/05/15/wolf-pack-notes-nevada-open-season-home-versus-byu/611466002/">confirmed</a> by the <em>Reno Gazette-Journal</em>.</p>
<p id="doca8e">The series is a massive scheduling coup for the Cougars, who have made a concerted effort to beef up their future schedules this summer following a raft of mid-majors missing out on the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/a/march-madness-2018-ncaa-tournament">NCAA Tournament</a> in 2018 due to soft non-conference slates. The Wolf Pack are coming off one of the greatest seasons in school history, which saw coach Eric Musselman take his team to the Sweet 16 — with only an agonizing one-point loss to Loyola separating them from an Elite Eight berth.</p>
<p id="21iEgG">Nevada currently has three of their top players going through the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a> process but none have hired agents, preserving their ability to return to school next season. Regardless of which way they decide, Musselman recently said that he expects next year’s team to be the most talented in the program’s history.</p>
<p id="IU6a3M">Based on the strength of Nevada’s 2018 campaign and an influx of talent via fresh recruits and promising transfers, BYU will need to be ready for a very stiff challenge. At the very least, the Wolf Pack will begin the season ranked in the Top 25 — and depending on how many of their three draft-eligible players return, perhaps in the Top 15 or even higher.</p>
<p id="UWpzus">Depending on how things shake out in November, this could either provide a great opportunity for the Cougars to start the year with a bang and instantly garner national respect — or turn out to be a rude welcome to a new season. Regardless, these are the types of games that BYU fans should want coach Dave Rose and his staff to schedule. The tournament selection committee has been very clear: Teams that go on the road and play tough competition have a better chance to see their name in the bracket come March. Those who don’t? Well, just ask Saint Mary’s.</p>
<p id="iGr2Vt">Win or lose, BYU has to schedule and play these games. They not only help build their resume for a potential at-large bid, but also provide opportunities for the team to test itself against some of the best teams in the country — and hopefully get better in the process. These are the types of games that teach lessons that come back to benefit you in conference play and beyond. Good on Rose and company for continuing to seek them out.</p>
<p id="qeieDL">As a reminder, here’s what we know about the Cougars’ 2018-2019 nonconference schedule so far:</p>
<div id="l6UjMv"><div data-anthem-component="table:1066557"></div></div>
https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2018/5/15/17358924/byu-basketball-nevada-schedule-series-2018Steve Pierce