This Is Not Your Typical BYU Basketball Team

This BYU basketball team is different than any BYU basketball team in recent memory.  BYU basketball teams usually lose the type of game they had last night at Creighton.  It was a quality opponent, on the road, in a mostly packed arena (over 15k fans), and they kept making runs at BYU.  I kept waiting for that run that eventually put Creighton over the top and BYU behind the 8-ball.  But every time Creighton made a run and tied the game up (I believe they did this 3 or 4 times in the game's last 25 minutes), BYU had an answer.  It came from Jackson Emery, Brandon Davies, Noah Hartsock, Kyle Collinsworth, and, of course, Jimmer Fredette.  There were a lot of confident players.  Everybody got in on the action (at least of the 7 guys who played).  That is the blessing and the curse of this BYU basketball team.

The Curse of Confidence
Of the 2 or 3 games I've watched, and the 3 or 4 others that I've listened to, one thing is clear about this team: all of them feel they can shoot.  A typical trademark of a Dave Rose team is passing up a good shot for a better shot.  From what I surmise to this point: they take the first decent look they get.  Everybody feels they can take their man off the dribble.  Everyone feels they can drain that quasi-open three-pointer.  They go through stretches, some longer than others, of offensive ineptitude as a result.  It turns each night into a game of runs, much like last night's game at Creighton, the Utah State game, and South Florida as well.  It also leads to a lower team shooting percentage, which has been very obvious in several games, even against Mississippi Valley State.

The Blessing of Confidence
In a tight game on the road, it does not have to be Jimmer stepping up.  Jackson can hit an open three.  Davies can post up.  Collinsworth and Abouo can drive.  Jimmer can still do what Jimmer does, but he doesn't have to.  And in cases where the opponents "monster" up on Jimmer, it leaves those guys open and in position to make plays too.  It also leads to more points, because guys are taking quicker shots, meaning they take more shots.  Their confidence in their defense is also high, so guys crash the offensive boards harder.  They take more free throws because everybody is confidently taking the ball to the basket.  BYU scores more points, even with a lower percentage.

One thing I know: every BYU basketball team I have watched in my life would probably be 5-2 right now.  This BYU team is 7-0, with 8 more winnable non-conference games.  This is not your typical BYU Basketball team!

Catch these atypical Cougars on BYU-TV or online at BYUTV.org (you must set up a login prior to viewing, don't worry, it's simple and very non-invasive, no TSA pat-down required) this Saturday, December 4th, against Hawaii at 4pm MT!  The audio is also available on ksl.com, where the Voice of the Cougars, Greg Wrubell, calls a great game as well.