Time and time again, college coaches talk about the importance of guard play. BYU head man Dave Rose should echo that sentiment as his backcourt of seniors Jimmer Fredette and Jackson Emery will have the Cougars once again competing for the Mountain West title.
The Sports Bank’s “99 in 99” ranks the 72 power conference college basketball teams and top 27 mid-majors. Click here if you missed teams #29-#99.
By: David Kay
BYU Cougars (2nd, 13-3 in MWC, 30-6 overall)
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Brandon Davies (So)/James Anderson (Jr)
F: Noah Hartsock (Jr)/Logan Magnusson (Sr)/Stephen Rogers (So)
G/F: Chris Collinsworth (So)/Kyle Collinsworth (Fr)/Brock Zylstra (So)
SG: Jackson Emery (Sr)/Charles Abouo (Jr)/Anson Winder (Fr)
PG: Jimmer Fredette (Sr)/Nick Martineau (So)
Gone: C-Chris Miles, F-Jonathan Tavernari, PG-Lamont Morgan Jr., PG-Michael Loyd Jr. (transfer-Midwestern State), SF-Tyler Haws (mission work)
2010-2011 Outlook:
It is no secret that as Jimmer Fredette goes, BYU will go. Fredette flirted with the NBA Draft but ultimately chose return for his senior season when he could not get a first round guarantee.
He does so many things well on the offensive end besides his ability to knock down shots (44% from three a year ago.) Fredette knows how to use his body to get into the lane which often times earns him free points at the charity stripe where he shot 89% last year. He is also the focal point of every defense on a nightly basis and because of that, Fredette has become a better “true” point guard in finding open teammates.
Returning to join Fredette in the starting backcourt is fellow three-point assassin and defensive specialist Jackson Emery. The pair will form an experienced tandem but BYU lacks a lot of proven depth behind them at guard after promising point guard Jonathan Loyd Jr. left the program this summer under a bit of controversy.
While the Cougars lose starting small forward Tyler Haws to mission work, sophomores Chris Collinsworth and Nick Martineau return after spending the past two seasons on their own missions. Collinsworth could end up starting at the three while his younger brother, freshman Kyle Collinsworth should see immediate minutes on the wing and possibly even run some point at times.
Steady, hard-working Noah Hartsock returns to his starting role at forward while key reserve Brandon Davies figures to take over for Chris Miles at center. There is unproven depth down low but 6-8 JUCO transfer Stephen Rogers gives the Cougars another threat from the outside. If James Anderson adds some size and physicality and the elder Collinsworth can fill in at the four when needed, BYU should be solid, but not spectacular in their frontcourt play.
The Mountain West will once again be highly competitive among the top four of San Diego State, New Mexico, UNLV, and BYU. Dave Rose should undoubtedly have his Cougars once again competing for a conference title and earning another trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Player to Watch: Jackson Emery, SG
While Fredette receives all the national attention, Emery has flown under the radar in being his backcourt sidekick. He is a two-time Mountain West All-Defensive Team honoree and has shot a very respectable 40% from distance during his career. With defenses likely to target in on Fredette even more so this season, Emery will have to step into a slightly larger role on the offensive end.
Key Non-Conference Games:
11/17 vs. Utah State
11/26 vs. South Florida (South Padre Invitational)
11/27 vs. St. Mary’s/Texas Tech (South Padre Invitational)
12/1 at Creighton
12/11 vs. Arizona
12/18 at UCLA
12/21 at Weber State
12/23 vs. UTEP
Other 99 in 99’s:
#29 Georgia
#30 St. John’s
#31 N.C. State
#32 Florida State
#33 Marquette
#34 Temple
#35 Vanderbilt
#36 Arizona
#37 Murray State
#38 Dayton
#39 Notre Dame
#40 Mississippi State
#41 Utah State
#42 Maryland
#43 Richmond
#44 UNLV
#45 Seton Hall
#46 Wichita State
#47 Washington State
#48 St. Louis
#49 Old Dominion
#50 Minnesota
#51 New Mexico
#52 UConn
#53 Northwestern
#54 UCLA
#55 Southern Mississippi
#56 St. Mary’s
#57 Texas A&M
#58 Louisville
#59 Arizona State
#60 Northern Iowa
#61 Creighton
#62 Clemson
#63 Cincinnati
#64 Texas Tech
#65 Miami, FL
#66 Charlotte
#67 UTEP
#68 Ole Miss
#69 George Mason
#70 Colorado
#71 Weber State
#72 Alabama
#73 Bradley
#74 Central Florida
#75 Wake Forest
#76 Georgia Tech
#77 USC
#78 Oklahoma State
#79 Cal
#80 Oklahoma
#81 Virginia
#82 South Carolina
#83 Indiana
#84 Stanford
#85 Oregon
#86 Penn State
#87 South Florida
#88 Arkansas
#89 Boston College
#90 LSU
#91 Providence
#92 Michigan
#93 Oregon State
#94. Nebraska
#95. Auburn
#96. DePaul
#97. Iowa State
#98. Rutgers
#99. Iowa