It's Been Too Long

Hey all, it's been a while but I've had a few thoughts to put out there for some time.

I never really did a proper recap of BYU hoops.  So I will say, I was pleased with how the season turned out, and I think BYU fans that came into the season expecting a better record were probably a little too optimistic.  While BYU going 1-1 in the NCAA Tourney was lessened by that win coming in the "play-in" game, still, BYU made the tournament and made history in it.  There were certainly some disappointments along the way, but 12-4 in a new league and 26-9 in somewhat of a rebuilding year (i.e. when the guard line was mostly freshmen) are solid marks.  Had Chris Collinsworth not gone down early in the year, had Rogers been at full strength the second half of the year, and had Hartsock not been hurt late in the year, who knows how the season might have turned out.  Hartsock and Abouo graduate, DaMarcus Harrison is headed on a mission, and Nick Martineau has essentially been retired by the program.

BYU has some solid pieces returning.  Without knowing exactly how the schedule will pan out, I would be shocked if BYU basketball didn't have a better year this upcoming season.  Carlino made a lot of poor decisions down the stretch in big games.  He should be better, and if he isn't, I feel quite confident in Craig Cusick, in fact, I'd start Cusick over Carlino, personally.  Winder and Austin showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season.  Austin is no Noah Hartsock at this point, but comparing the two in their first seasons in Provo, Austin has a chance to BECOME a Hartsock-like player.  Winder is already nearly as good as Abouo, but he is just as inconsistent right now.  Add in Tyler Haws back from a mission who can start over Zylstra (and I hope he does: the guy is a gamer), add 20 pounds to Josh Sharp, get a healthy Collinsworth and Rogers, and there's a lot of guys that can play on this team.  Rose has proved that he only needs 8 guys to win 25+ games.  If you count Brock Zylstra as one, which I hope BYU can count on this year, BYU should have 9, maybe even 10.

BYU can certainly compete with Gonzaga in 2012-2013.  The question will be, can they keep up with St. Mary's?  The answer to that question lies in the development of the young trio of Nate Austin, Anson Winder, and Matt Carlino and in how Davies steps up in his senior season.  I suspect we'll see a razor thin margin between 1st and 2nd in this league.  It was a 3-bid league in 2012, I anticipate we'll see the same in 2013.  I would also be shocked if BYU didn't win a game in the tourney in 2013 as well.  However, in the absence of a real shot-blocking threat, I'd put the absolute cap at 2 wins in the tournament, unless there are some upsets that open the door for BYU.