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It is time for a little college basketball on Cougar Sports.
Gonna talk some BYU hoops seating, Big Twelve seeding, NCAA
tournament seeding, and more. How about ag devonsa Big twelve
Player of the Year as well. Here on your Utah
ESPN Radio network. It's gonna be brought to you by
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gonna help you out if you have an issue with
your garage store. Let's get out to the hotline. Welcome
in former by Great the Brazilian bomber. We got Jonathan
Tabinari out. The line was up.
Speaker 1: Jt oh Man.
Speaker 6: You know I couldn't be doing much better after that
big win on Saturday, I'll tell you that.
Speaker 5: Yeah, man, give me your reaction watching that game. How
important was it for BYU to get that final that
that final win of the regular season in Big twelve
play well.
Speaker 6: Momentum is a real thing, right, and confidence is a
real thing.
Speaker 7: And so as they win.
Speaker 6: That game, they go to they go to Kansas City.
They have an important game tomorrow against Kansas State, and
I would say this, I would love for them to
get two wins in Kansas City. I love them to
be Kansas State today, West Virginia tomorrow and then be
able to lose against Houghton only Houston on Thursday.
Speaker 7: Then they would fly home. They would have Friday.
Speaker 6: Saturday in Sunday off and then it's election Sunday, and
then Monday they get to work. Most likely Monday night
or Tuesday morning. They fly wherever they go, and it's
NCAA tournament. And so that to me would be the
absolutely perfect scenario for BYU for the next two weeks.
Speaker 1: You mentioned the confidence.
Speaker 5: What does a win like this, I guess cre eight
within that locker room and maybe even create within the
coaching staff.
Speaker 1: Have they found their rotation?
Speaker 5: Have they found their guys that are gonna that they
can wide and die with during March madness?
Speaker 7: Yeah, so that's a good question, right. I will say.
Speaker 6: I don't know if they found a magic formula, but
I'm a bigger fan of the way Kevin Young is
coaching based on yesterday in the last two weeks, and
that's because I can tell you I was over there
in the tunnel and there were a couple of timeouts
when Kevin was extremely animated, where he was very feisty
and fiery the way he was talking to the players,
And so I love that I absolutely loved that before
the game. You know, sometimes you know me, ben right,
I mean sometimes I get nostalgic and you get text
messages for me thinking, you know, talking about old stuff.
And on Saturday, I just felt nostalgic and I missed basketball, right, And.
Speaker 7: I don't miss it a time, but sometimes I do.
Speaker 6: And I wanted to go to the Mayott Center, you know,
I told the UYUGV I'm like, hey, mike me up
and get me ready because I want to go to
the Mayot Center.
Speaker 7: And I spent.
Speaker 6: About fifteen minutes on the floor and it was kind
of empty and there was just you know, just staff
over there, and I just kind of want to soak
it in that moment, you know what I mean, like
a lot of it that I remember, you know, it's
it was me working out by myself in that gym,
and so I kind of just want to soak it
into nostalgia. And then as I was heading back to
go to to go through the WYU TV studio, I
saw Kevin and we talked for a couple of minutes.
He's like, oh man, they let anyone around.
Speaker 7: Here, I see, huh.
Speaker 6: And we had a good conversation quick visit not being
crazy and but you know, it's just one of those
things that you could tell that he was in a
in a very committed state of mind. And and I
love that they nail their rotation. I don't know, and
I don't mean there's negative like they don't know what
they're doing. I just think that against EXAs Stack, having
a smaller, shorter rotation worked. I don't think Beido, you know,
I'm at Abdullah. I don't think he played ten minutes.
And so you know what I mean, Like you know,
Hadeen played a ton, Kepa played a ton, and and
so to me, maybe what they figured out is if
it's a smaller rotation, these are the guys that I use.
Speaker 7: If they have a seven footer, I have to put
Amad in.
Speaker 6: And so maybe I think that they got that down.
But you know, I think Tuesday, I think Tomorrow and Wednesday,
maybe a little bit Thursday, because Houston is a formidable
full that is a potential national champion, right, I think
the way BIU plays, if they can't compete then, which
has been the one thing you and I the last
two weeks three weeks that we've been saying over and
over again what can we get, what can we do?
What can be done for these guys to compete? And
they did it on Saturday.
Speaker 5: Yeah, what stood out to you specifically about the competitive
spirit and the effort that they employed. Was this a
more invested team collectively? And where did you see it tangibly?
Speaker 6: Well, you know, I will say this, to me, it
was more than anything.
Speaker 7: It was their effort.
Speaker 6: You know, the fifty to fifty loose balls buy you
won most of them. And there's a specific play that
comes to mind is Canard Davis the start of the game.
Speaker 7: Like ero for three, oh for four, something like that.
Speaker 6: But there was a possession on the on the court
side seats side of the west the hoop where Carnard
fought for the ball and was able to tip the
ball and uh as two Texas Tech players were not
a bounce, the ball became BUYU ball. And so that
to me is the highlight of the game. I don't
think I've ever seen Cornard made an effort play like that,
and so it was really exciting to see.
Speaker 7: It was super cool to see and to me, that
was uh, that was ah. That was a.
Speaker 6: Snapshot of everything you know of of the whole night
and so to me, if they can duplicate that effort,
it would be difficult.
Speaker 7: To beat them.
Speaker 5: Jonathan Taminari, former BAU Great, the Brazilian bomber're talking to
to BYU Basketball here on your Utah ESPN Radio network,
a little Collas Basketball Couicker Sports brought to you by
Central Garage Utah, Central Garage Utah dot com. So you
mentioned her team, I mean, let's talk about Keva's also
ability to play defense on the perimeter. Uh, Was that
the difference in a win or a loss this game
was the ability of a team and Keba to guard
on the perimeter and shut down Christian Anderson.
Speaker 6: I mean, we don't know what Keba is capable of, right,
and so I don't think if it was his ability
to do so, I think it was more of, you know,
the coaching that felt comfortable going to a smaller lineup. Credit,
you know, all the credit in the world needs to
go to to Boop, you know, because the way he played,
you know, like there was a play and you will
remember this ben in the second half where he grabs
the rebound and makes a tough bucket, comes back on defense.
Speaker 7: He's guarding the point guard and.
Speaker 6: He's clapping and he is waving his arms up, and
it had been a minute since the Marriotte Center was
so loud, since the manu, since the Marriott Center was
so engaged, and so to me, you know that those
are the things to me that make a difference. You know,
we know Keba is freakish athletic. We know he can
jump out of the gym, but to be able to
see them do it with energy is unbelievable.
Speaker 7: Yeah.
Speaker 5: I was extremely impressed with the perimeter defense. Now let
me ask you this, how how good of a team
is Texas Tech without JT.
Speaker 1: Toppin? Like we know, if JT.
Speaker 5: Toppins on this squad, they are a legitimate top ten
team at worst. I think they're a Sweet sixteen team
with JT.
Speaker 1: Toppin. At best, maybe they're a Final four team with JT. Toppin.
How good are they without JT?
Speaker 5: Do you think what it give us a barometer of
just how good Brigham is and what they're capable of
beating right now, especially on their home court.
Speaker 6: Yeah, and you know I will say this, I think
without JT. Toppin, Texas TACK is probably still a top
twenty five team. I mean, if you think, if you
go back and watch the game, then those dudes make
twelve reason the first half, and you know that's a
team that they do that night in and night out,
and so you know, to me, it becomes one of
those things that they are so good, they are so
well coached, they're so sharp. You know that that they
are so efficient. Now obviously when you lose your player
of the year, right, it's difficult, but it's nothing short
of what BYU has an experience, you know what I mean,
And so it's they're they're still very good. I think
jat top makes a difference, especially at you know, at
the NCAA tournament level, as games get a little bit
clutch and uh, and they need some they need some
someone to take a game winning shot. They need someone
to be able to you know, close the game for them.
But you know, the next man up, next man up
has to step up. And you know we've seen people
at BYU having.
Speaker 7: To do it.
Speaker 6: And uh, you know, but Texas Stack is a very
good team even without even without JT.
Speaker 1: Toppin Jonathan Tabnari.
Speaker 5: Uh, let's talk about BYU's quest for March madness perfection,
where you where do you stand right now with expectations
for BYU in the in the NC Double A tournament?
What seeding do you project they'll get in the NC
Double A Tournament?
Speaker 6: So in fold transparency, I didn't think they're going to
win Saturday. I really didn't, and so with the you know,
and I thought that they would even have a hard
time winning more than a game in Kansas City. Now,
based on their reaction right in the way that they
came out of play, I would be extremely surprised if
BYU doesn't win a game, most likely too this week
in Kansas City. I will, you know, I will improve
my come a little bit, and I'll say that there'll
probably be a seven or eight seed.
Speaker 7: You know, I don't think they'll go as high as
a nine, but I definitely see them being a seven
or eight seed.
Speaker 6: You know, right now they're listed as a sixth. You
know better than I do that b YU gets adopted
a seed because of Sunday play. Sure, and so this
will be one of those things that I think there
will probably be a seven or eight seed come March.
Speaker 5: I think, you know, all things considered, I think Cougarnation
should be pretty happy with that, considering they they've been
on a down spiral for the last you know, thirteen
or fourteen games.
Speaker 6: Yeah, I mean to be honest, you know, I'm a
firm believer, and I've always said this even when when
they weren't playing well. You know, like Aj is so
good that he will probably win an NCAA tournament game
by himself, right, you know, he gets up for the moment,
he understands he's in a moment, and you know, he
really responds well.
Speaker 7: And so I think he's good for.
Speaker 6: One game on his own, and then from there, I
definitely think that some of the other players are going
to need to step up. And I will say this,
Ben if Byu is able to make back to the
Sweet sixteen with the roster deplete the way it is,
oh man, that will be crazy. But then here's the thing.
Ben Aj is so good that after a week of rest,
you know, can he pull off a magical run and
be able to get Byu to the Elite eight. You know,
I think it's possible. I think he is that good
of a player. I think Robert right is that good
of a player.
Speaker 7: You know.
Speaker 6: I think it's you know, somewhere along the lines, you know,
these guys just got a little bit too. I don't
want to say complacent, but they got a little bit too.
The sense of urgency just went away. And I can't
tell you by what I saw Saturday, it looked like
the entire team had that sense of urgency.
Speaker 5: How impactful was it to have Richie Saunders on the
on the bench, coaching, getting in the into the grills
of those that you know, he's been playing alongside for
the entire season. What impact did that have?
Speaker 6: Well, I mean, Richie Saunders is the face of the
Kevin Younga era at BUYU. Richie Saunders most most likely
is the last uh you know, the last YU player
to stay for.
Speaker 7: Four years and improve. Right.
Speaker 6: A lot can be said about maybe Brody Kolaslowski becomes
that guy, maybe being you know, record becomes that guy, right,
But nonetheless.
Speaker 7: Right now, you know, he is, you know, Richie Saunders.
Speaker 6: It looks like he is the least of the Mohicans.
Speaker 7: And so just based on nat you know, he's the face.
Speaker 6: Of the program, He is the you know, he he
was the emotional leader and uh, he was very animated, right,
and be able to see him talking to guys and
guys responding it was super super cool to see. And
so I have been told that he is on his
way to Kansas City, which means you know, BYU will
have you know, an extra coach on the coaching staff
if you will, you know of Richie Saunders being there,
which is a great thing, right when you have your.
Speaker 7: Leader, your senior leader, your.
Speaker 6: Emotional leader with you, that's always, you know, a very
good thing.
Speaker 5: Jackson Payne tweeted out at the end of the game,
this is why you never give up on the season.
B WAU fans had stormed the court, the student section
of the Rock was alive and well, had people really
given up on the season? JT had fans donors, had
they given up on this BAU basketball team.
Speaker 6: No, I don't think that's a fair thing to say, right.
I get why Jackson said it, but I don't.
Speaker 7: I don't agree with that. I didn't think people had
given up on the season.
Speaker 6: I think people had, you know, just which I did too, Ben,
To be fair with you, I was at a point
where I was like, just.
Speaker 7: Get to March.
Speaker 6: Just can we just get to the NCAA tournament and
skip the last two three weeks because you know, the
the mental told that the season was taking. It was hard,
and so I definitely understand where people were coming from.
Speaker 7: And you know, but.
Speaker 6: Obviously you know, nobody had given up on the season.
But to me, it's one of those things that you're
just like, can we get to March?
Speaker 7: Can we get to the NCAA Tournament.
Speaker 5: Do you think that that aj Debonsa deserves to be
Big twelve Player of the Year? Had he did he
do enough to be the Big twelve Player of the Year.
Speaker 6: I think he did, he did right, But I mean,
you know that's the thing. An argument can be made
for J. T. Toppin right, an argument can be made
for you know, Kiyotoa. I mean, there is a lot
of different arguments that can be made. I am curious
to see the way to the Big twelve handles, you know,
the standings. Because Buyu had a very poor performance. I mean,
by you will speak, to finish second in the Big
twelve second bu Yu finished tenth, and so we we
all know Ben because Buyu, we have all of the
excuses in the world. In the world, we know that.
And that's that that that's a fair thing to say.
B y U has been depleted. There has been multiple
injuries and so, but I'm wondering how you know, the committee,
the voting committee will handle the fact that Aj, you know,
AJ seen finished you know, tenth in the league, which
is the same argument for him to be player of
the Year, right, which is why I think Cam Boozer
from Duke most likely will be the Player of the year.
Speaker 7: You know, just because UK is so good and.
Speaker 6: They've been very consistently throughout the year and so, but
I do think that there is an argument to be
made that AJ is going to be the Freshman of
the Year in the conference. He's going to be an
All American, He's gonna be a first team All American,
you know.
Speaker 7: And but I am curious to see, you.
Speaker 6: Know, when when they release the the awards where every
you know, where all of the chips fall.
Speaker 5: Jonathan tabernaar ladies and gentlemen. And just to rehash, you
think this BYU team can at least get to Houston?
Is that your expectation in the Big twelve tournament, you
can at least get to Houston?
Speaker 7: Correct, that's my expectation.
Speaker 5: It'd be great to see love this BYU basketball team.
And uh, they hopefully made some of those that had
given up on the on the squad the season, UH
into believers once again to top ten wins.
Speaker 1: UH.
Speaker 5: Even though you had a lot you had the the
low point, you obviously had some great high points towards
the end of the year as well, with Iowa State
and Texas Tech victories JT for.
Speaker 1: Three Jonathan Tabinaar.
Speaker 5: Ladies and gentlemen, thanks were hopping on for yet another
edition of Cougar Sports and college basketball and Cougar Sports.
Speaker 6: Well, let's let's let's take another two minutes here. You
tell me what is your expectation of this team going
to the Big Twelve Tournament BN. What What are you
seeing from a you know, a sports talk show, you know,
a talking head?
Speaker 7: What are you seeing? Where do you being the chips
fall with these guys?
Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean for me, like I think you can
you could be a one and done and there's also
a possibility that you could probably get to the semi finals.
Speaker 1: You could get past Houston.
Speaker 5: Just depends on what type of team comes out in matchups, right,
It depends on you know, I think I think you
match up well with with Kansas State and West Virginia,
Maybe not as well with Houston because they're so big,
long and athletic. That's where the trial's gonna come. But
I do think scoring wise, b why you can keep
pace with just about anybody? Can you bound and play
good enough defense? So they have the capability, I think
as a ceiling to get to the semi finals. But
you know, you know, do they have the capability of
getting to the.
Speaker 1: Final and winning it all?
Speaker 5: Most likely, as you mentioned, they're going to be ousted
by a much more talented and equally as well coached
team in Houston. It's a neutral court, though, you know,
so I guess anything can happen. I don't know how
many BYU fans are heading out to the Big twelve tournament, right?
Do they feel like there's enough momentum? Does that matter?
Are they are they buying tickets to go out to
the Big Toeal Tournament? Are they in waiting simo to
see which BYU basketball team shows up in March?
Speaker 7: So?
Speaker 6: Well, well, and then that brings my follow up, my
follow up question, which is my last question. I know
we're wrapping up this segment, but then my question for
you is did this BYU team do enough on Saturday
to convince.
Speaker 7: You that they have a chance to go to the
Sweet sixteen.
Speaker 5: I feel like the Iowa State game gave me more
confidence that they could get to the Sweet sixteen than
even the Texas Tech game. And the reason why I
say that, yeah, I'll give you my reasoning behind it,
because like I thought, AJ had a good game, but
he was eight of twenty five from the field, one
of six from the three point line. Luckily he got
to the charity stripe as much as he did, But
he's not getting the calls Like I'm if AJ is
getting calls BYU can.
Speaker 1: Be a Sweet sixteen team? Does that make sense?
Speaker 5: Like if he's getting to the line like Under Jimmer
or Tyler Hawes in their heyday, drawing fouls and he's
getting to the to the line twelve times in a game,
getting BYU into the bonus, then yeah, I think By'
is a Sweet sixteen team.
Speaker 1: I don't think. I don't think BoA's a Sweet sixteen team.
With AJ going eight of twenty five, I don't see it.
I just can't see it.
Speaker 5: So like AJ is arguably the best player in college basketball,
you can't go eight of twenty five, and if you do,
you better go eight of twenty five, like most of
those better be three pointers, right, Like, you gotta make
up for it if you're gonna shoot that at that clip.
Speaker 1: So that's kind of where I stand.
Speaker 5: Like if I saw AJ getting calls, hitting threes and
still shooting it with that volume in that raid at
that clip, and he's he's almost up to thirty points
per game. Yeah, I think BAU can be a Sweet
sixteen team. So I'm hoping he gets the calls. I
hope that the NCAA tournament and the refs that that
are employed at the tournament, the Big Twelve Tournament, the
NCUA tournament, they begin to give him a little bit
more of the whistle, because up to this point in
the Big Twelve, would you agree the Big Twelve has
not been friendly to AJ drawing fouls.
Speaker 6: It's been fifty to fifty I would say that. I
would say, you know what, Actually, I.
Speaker 7: Will agree with you. He has been more like.
Speaker 6: You know, thirty percent of the time he gets the call, yeah,
and sixty seventy percent they are kind of not giving
him a friendly whistle.
Speaker 7: I'll agree with that.
Speaker 5: Yeah, it is I'd agree with that. I'll meet you
in the middle. I think it's probably fifty to fifty.
Sometimes it gets the call, sometimes he doesn't. And I
think if you look at the numbers when you get
into the uh the you know, nine and ten and
eleven free throws, you know, that's when the whistle's a
little bit more kind to AJ JT.
Speaker 1: We got to run. But I always appreciate our time.
Speaker 5: I think it's a really good, great segment, great commentary.
I hope AJ can can lead the way along with
Rob Right and the crew. Thanks so much, brother, appreciate
you all. There you go that shot at the Tevin Aarri.
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