Speaker 1: The Three Man Week. He'll break down the mecha storylines
and give you everything.
Speaker 2: You need to know before tip off.
Speaker 1: This he's the Cougar Basketball Pregame Show on one O
three nine ninety three ESPN F part of Utah's ESPN Radio.
Speaker 3: Netor Welcome in to the Cougar pre Game Basketball Show
with Ronald the Three Man Weaver. I'm Andrew Peterson here
filling in for Ronald the Three Man Weaver. He's got
some personal duties tonight, but I'll keep you covered all
hour long leading up to tip off at nine pm
Mountain Time. As always, we're live here on one oh
three nine ninety eight point three ESPN the Fan catch
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Speaker 3: We'd just like to start the show today with a
special thank you to Ronald the Three Men Weaver for
giving us this opportunity to.
Speaker 4: Be on air tonight.
Speaker 3: Ron's always been looking out for me, so special thank
you to him. Special thanks to bankretl who's also been
a big help to me in my career. So just
want to thank both of them for their love and
support of the show and of me personally. But without
further ado, we are going to fire up the ESPN
the fan, starting lineup music, and introduce you to my
co host and the rest of the stars to the
cast here today tonight actually on the being the ban
couber of basketball pre game. So I've got with me.
We'll first start with this. Later on we'll have ron
we'll jump onto the interview. I believe it's Stephen Johnson,
but I've got with me a six foot one point
guard out of near Salt Lake City, Utah. I grew
up in in Salt Lake but is a BYU guy,
six foot one two and ten.
Speaker 4: Pounds of your muscle. My man, Cam Fluck? How you doing?
Speaker 5: Man?
Speaker 6: Doing pretty good? Give me an extra extra into two brat.
Speaker 5: I'll take it.
Speaker 7: Yeah, BYU fan threw it through my grandpa play ball sago,
So why you.
Speaker 6: Throwing through for me?
Speaker 4: Absolutely?
Speaker 3: How was it growing up in Salt Lake around most
of the Utah Did you have most of the Utah
fans around it run?
Speaker 7: Yeah, it was tough going to school, no nine game
losing streak, It was tough. Let me tell you we
we won that final game in twenty twenty one. I
was junior, maybe a senior in high school. That was
the best day of my life. You got to rub
it into everyone. Everyone in my ward was a big
Utah fan. My dad was bishop at the time. He
got to talk about it over the pulpit and it
was a glorious day.
Speaker 3: I gotta say I'm a little jealous because I was
a missionary when that happened, so I didn't even get
to celebrate. I found out at state conference the next
day in Arizona. Interesting times, interesting times, but uh, we're
not here to talk about football. Actually, we're here to
talk basketball. It is the Cougar basketball pregame show between
the eleventh ranked BYU Cougar's and TCU and immediately off
the bat We've got a little bit of breaking news.
Speaker 4: It broke about eight minutes ago.
Speaker 3: We've got an injury report update because initially Xavion State
was listed as questionable.
Speaker 4: I believe.
Speaker 3: And Beato as he likes to be called this Bido.
Speaker 6: Right yep, Biato Abdulahmed, he prefers to.
Speaker 3: Be called Beato. He was probable. Both have been downgraded
to out for tonight. Kevin Young said it's a shoulder injury.
Banged it up a little bit. He mentioned that in
Bop and Bosco Boskovic are going to take some of
his minutes tonight, So look out for those two tonight
to be taking a little bit of the load that
Beido usually takes. What is your immediate reaction, Cam Clark, So.
Speaker 7: Losing State and losing Beido again, that's Abdullah Ahmed. It's
tough right off the bat. Luckily against TCU, they're a
team that doesn't have a whole lot of size, and
we'll get into that later on.
Speaker 6: But I'm excited to see what Boop can do.
Speaker 7: Him and Boskovich I think play well at the center position,
especially against a team that doesn't have a whole lot
of size. Boop is more of a cada like player
where he's not going to be very tall, but he's scrappy,
can get in for rebounds, blocks, dunks, that sort of thing.
And then Boscovich reminds me of, you know, some of
the center's b Yu's had in the past, a guy
like Matt Harms maybe where he's got the height, but
maybe isn't the best at rebounding, but he can for
sure shoot the.
Speaker 3: Three absolutely on TCU's side. So the other players that
are out are the usuals for BYU. Brody Koslowski hasn't
played all year, kJ Perry red Shirt hasn't played all year.
Dawson Baker we know the story got hurt earlier in
the year. He's got the injury luck.
Speaker 4: Of Taysom Hill.
Speaker 3: Yeah, it's tough to watch, but he's out for the year.
So and Nate Pickens says as also was ruled out
for the year earlier on this year. So those are
the players that are out tonight for BYU.
Speaker 7: It would be like a guy like Nate Pickens and
Dawson Baker, we haven't really seen him play a whole
lot this year, but those would have been key guys
in this matchup. Against TCU, who they they've got some
pretty decent guards, who can throw the ball around, who
can get buckets. That's when that one's gonna hurt the
coops tonight. Not having those backup.
Speaker 3: Guards absolutely on TCU's side. They are down two players.
They have Deianny selectcam Is out for the night and
Malik Diallo. Neither one of those players have played a
ton but there's your breaking news to start off the night.
Speaker 7: And real quick, both both those guys over six'. Nine
Uh diallo stands at six, nine so let's come at six.'
ten we BRIEFLY mentioned tcu doesn't have a whole lot.
Of size that's part of the reason why missing those
two big men's gonna.
Speaker 6: Cost, him.
Speaker 3: Yep yep and and they're kind of lucking out here
That that beido is not gonna PLAY because I think
bedo has the best Size on.
Speaker 4: Bau's team isn't he so fun?
Speaker 3: To?
Speaker 7: Watch YEAH like i was a, little skeptical, you know
bringing IN The g, league guy and that's a whole
storyline of, its own but just watching him dominate these
last couple, OF Games, K State, Arizona, state utah just
some of the blocks. He's had reminds me Of that
caba block last Year against kansas where he sent it into.
Speaker 3: The, crowd, yeah no it's been it's been a much
needed ADDITION.
Speaker 4: FOR Byu i we're.
Speaker 3: Going to talk about this a little, bit later but
this is the, first Time and i've said this on
air a, few times, for me this is the First
time by's had a true Center Since. Matt harms that
You Mentioned matt HARMS was i think seven, To, two
yeah somewhere the beatos. Six' ten, and for me that's
THE first time ba has actually had a traditional Center
Since since matt harms in that twenty. Twenty one year
and just to give you an idea of how big this,
Was That year matt harms had two, blocks a game
which Is more than kaiba. Has This Year So matt
matt harms made. A huge difference And and and beto
has been pretty good defending the rim this.
Speaker 4: Year as, well.
Speaker 3: But yeah so it's kind of an AN interesting thing
i want to bring up really QUICK here is i
FEEL like this tcu team who doesn't really have they
don't have a true center with those, two guys out
they don't they don't have a lot of, size down
low but they do have a player who is two
point six. Blocks, A game yeah i believe Is That.
Speaker 4: That's.
Speaker 3: David punch yep we're gonna get into him a little bit.
Later as well probably their number one go to guy
in a.
Speaker 6: LOT of areas i wouldn't even say.
Speaker 7: Probably he is he leads the, team of rebounds leads the,
team of blocks leads the team.
Speaker 3: In points scored but this is a this is a
matchup of two Teams like what byu Has Been pre
kevin young for, a Few Years though mark pope or
neither one of them really is gonna have a true center.
Out there tonight kavakata plays like, a true center but he's.
Speaker 4: Only, six' eight yeah he.
Speaker 3: Doesn't have the height, he has the jump, he has
the reach, he plays like one but he doesn't have
necessarily the height that that there is usually and so
it's kind of an.
Speaker 4: Interesting matchup for me it's Been.
Speaker 7: Interesting to watch kaba we talk about, the high you know.
Such a small guy i'm so excited to see what
happens After. He's done at byu what's gonna happen with
kid if he had three? Extra inches on him and.
Speaker 6: He played LIKE this. He's an nba.
Speaker 4: Prospect yeah he.
Speaker 3: Might he might slide into maybe an under AN undrafted
or but i just don't know.
Speaker 6: That he scores enough, That's Fair six eight like i'd
love to Go. See, him in europe yeah.
Speaker 3: Now he'll he'll have some pro. Prospects for, sure, overseas
but yeah interesting interesting side. Note for tonight's game the
injury report are other news we want. To get to here.
Speaker 4: IT was announced today i. Believe it was today, it
was either.
Speaker 3: Today it was today jimmer for that is getting his
Jersey retired at The Colorado game on valentine's day because
he is the TRUE love of.
Speaker 4: ALL byu basketball.
Speaker 6: Fans i love. That months from today so your your immediate.
Reaction to that news it's.
Speaker 7: Time you have the fifteen year waiting period before your.
Number Can get retired BUT jimmer is when i FELL in.
Speaker 5: Love.
Speaker 7: WITH byu basketball yeah i think of so Many great memories.
Watching jim or play, like even last year THERE was
a whole i don't even know, what you call it
a whole thing going around where you're running For. A
run in march that was the big thing heading into,
the TOURNAMENT last YEAR and i remember i ran for
three point two miles In honor of jim or The
night before b or eight point three point two miles
and the thirty two that was the Night before first
time i'd ever used the. Gym, in my apartment uh
IT'S safe to say i haven't, gotten back there. Yet but,
hopefully soon But, Yeah just jim or i've got So many.
Good jim or memories do?
Speaker 6: You, GOT a favorite.
Speaker 4: Gosh i was seven years old.
Speaker 3: When jim was playing not to make, our AUDIENCE feel
old but i was only seven years Old when when
Jim or was playing.
Speaker 6: You're you're a, year older than ME and.
Speaker 3: So my i am my best memory live Has got
to be jimmer hitting that Buzzer Beater, at the huntsman
center just because at seven years old and not much,
has changed since then Everything was about beating utah for,
me in any.
Speaker 4: WAY shape or form.
Speaker 3: I just loved it it's too bad that MOST of
my childhood i didn't get, to live that dream but.
Speaker 4: It's gotta be that one.
Speaker 3: For sure for me my immediate reaction, THOUGH to the
news i was, a Little Bit like, like VALENTINE'S day
cool but i would have loved to have It be. For,
the utah, game YEAH just, BECAUSE like I said I.
Like duncan on utah.
Speaker 4: But that's that's the. Only thing, for me but.
Speaker 3: Yeah it, is time fifteen years this is the perfect.
Year to do it he's the all time leading single
season scorer with his in that. IN that senior season
i believe.
Speaker 4: He's over a. Thousand points THAT year no other ba
player has.
Speaker 6: Come close To that no other bay player has gone.
Speaker 7: Over a, Thousand points Next closest so jim or got
a two thousand and sixty two that year or one,
thousand and, sixty eight excuse me averaging twenty eight. Point
nine a game devin duranton is eighty three eighty four
senior season next closest, twenty seven point nine but only.
Got eight Sixty six so jim or almost two or
more than two hundred. Points, the next closest yeah and
should to see where aj ends. UP on that list
i don't know that he's going. To, catch those two no, definitely.
Speaker 6: Not those two but he.
Speaker 7: Could hit top ten he's averaging twenty two point nine.
A game right now that would put him at number
six All Time out of.
Speaker 6: Devin, durant's junior season yeah.
Speaker 4: That's, that's not.
Speaker 2: Bad NO not bad but i WANT.
Speaker 3: To move into tcu that's that's, our our matchup Tonight
coming in.
Speaker 4: To PROBO with.
Speaker 3: A Few byu connections TANNER toolson play at, byu twenty
twenty two, twenty twenty three season. Obviously went to uview
he actually TOOK a visit to byu.
Speaker 4: When he was in the transfer.
Speaker 3: Portal this, last seas that's true he did take A
visit ruled OUT byu SHORTLY after I think I think
i think byu Had a clue that rob right was
coming And So, On.
Speaker 4: To fort worth TEXAS, he goes to tcu which.
Speaker 7: Which, good for him right, he's, a local GUY, right
started at BYU, then went to uvu had AN. INCREDIBLE career,
at uvu i mean if YOU can go from uvu
to a to, a big twelve SCHOOL, especially, SOMEONE like
tcu right i think forty third and. Like that's that's
big just just happy. For, the local guy obviously THE
son Of Former, byu Great Andy toolson.
Speaker 4: Who richie saunders passed. In all, time scoring.
Speaker 7: That's true that's true what have been would have been
fitting had. It been this game would have been a
Double blow for the toulson FAMILY, getting that, pass BYU.
You know beating tcu we'll get, into our predictions later
but would have been a Double blow. For the toulson
family so not nice of them to spread it.
Speaker 6: Out, A little bit.
Speaker 4: Yeah i do want.
Speaker 3: To talk TCU's roster they've got a clear, Guy We
mentioned earlier david punch for around, fourteen points a, game
they're leading rebounder and they're leading blocker two point. SIX
blocks a game i think he's got about seven Rebounds
a game, if i'm not.
Speaker 4: Mistaken seven point eight top.
Speaker 6: Ninety in the country.
Speaker 4: So that to me feels like that's who.
Speaker 3: You're, Zeroing in on yeah but, AT the same time
tcu does have four players, that average double digits so
they're not, just a one guy. A One man show jaden,
Pierre Ten point nine xavier, Edmonds Ten point four micah
robinson ten, point one points game so they they can
spread it. Out a little bit But It feels like
david punch is the guy they go to for. Everything,
Except for assists yeah.
Speaker 7: Now that guy's brock harding harding sixth excuse to be.
Seventh on, the team in scoring only, gets eight point
eight so you'll see him move the. Ball around a
lot he's led the team and assists almost every game played.
So far this year so the offense is Gonna, run
through brock harding but it's Gonna Be.
Speaker 3: Run for david punch, SO DEFENSIVELY and honestly i i
don't know that there's really anyone on TC's ROSTER that's gonna,
Cause bau significant problems like they're gonna. MAKE this a
game i don't expect this to be a really close
game with.
Speaker 4: With three minutes.
Speaker 3: Ago to be honest but if, it's gonna be someone it's,
one Of Two. Players it's david punch for the. Reasons
we just outlined he's the leader in almost. Every major
statistical category.
Speaker 7: Yeah he real quick before you go on. To the
next play leads the team, of blocks as well has More. Blocks,
Than kaya.
Speaker 3: Kata yeah kvia kid is only averaging. One, POINT eight
game yeah i say only that's. A pretty, good number it's.
Speaker 7: Good but like it's shocking you Think about. The, games
kada's played yeah you think he's.
Speaker 6: Got more than that his highlights are our blocks that
he sent.
Speaker 4: Into, the THIRD row yeah.
Speaker 3: But i think the other PLAYER that maybe Gives Byu
trouble is tanner toulson because he's only he's only averaging,
six points a game but he's had two games where
he's gone for more than twenty and it just feels
like this is an emotional game for him where He
could really.
Speaker 4: Cause boiu some.
Speaker 3: Problems he's played in, the marriage center before or he's,
familiar with the. ENVIRONMENT knows the place i think he
could have one of those games that he tells his Kids.
Speaker 4: ABOUT returning to provo i think he's.
Speaker 7: One, To, watch for, yeah toulson you know any time you,
have something like that it's. Always a little special it's
You look at the byutah rival game that Just. Happened
this last saturday by obviously comes out with the win
a little BIT closer than most, byu fans are wanting
but there's there's just something special about that game that's
going to cause. It to Be, close and for toulson
this is a game for him that he's had circled
on HIS. Calendars since joining tcu he wants to come In, and.
Beat the cougars right what a statement, for HIM saying
hey look i started on your team didn't GET the
PLAYING time. I FELT i deserved obviously i was behind a.
Couple of other, guys BUT you know if i, WOULD
have stuck AROUND i feel like i could have turned.
Into this great player but now you know they didn't
give him, the time of day and so HE transferred
what to uvu had a great career THERE is now
at tcu and has a CHANCE.
Speaker 6: To, prove to byu hey here's what. You're, missing out on.
Speaker 4: Yeah one hundred.
Speaker 3: Percent one hundred percent so those are the two players
that we've got You, Looking out for tonight we've got
to go to Break here Up Next, Ronald the three
Men Weaver will interview Stephen Johnson and uh but today's
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right coug. Fans it's game Day This is The. Cougar
basketball pregame show, For the Next Hour Ronald the three
man weaver will break down the match up and get you.
READY For Tip. Off espn The fan part of utah's.
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pregame show, here, on one oh three nine AND Ninety Eight,
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here appreciate everybody ask the tuning. In toon and out
we're gonna get into my interview now for this second
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number eleven still can't. Believe it's number eleven can't believe
you win both games and blow a team out and
beat your arrival on the road because it's tough To
win in the big twelve and it's. A quad to
winning you, DROP two spots anyway. I don't understand it.
IT'S it's it's juvenile i. Don't, Think it's right, NONETHELESS
but number eleven billi your basketball IN action side against
tcu late. TIP off nine pm i will. Be there, in,
attendance oh man uh probably not gonna. Get home until
midnight not gonna. Get, Home until midnight nonetheless so we,
will we will see, BUT without further ado i don't want.
To wait any further let's GET out To the espn
the fan hotline and. Welcome in my guest he is
THE award winning reporter tcu beat writer in four worth
For The Four Ard. Telewars star, star telegram Excuse Me
we got steven. Johnson, on the line steve thanks for, Joining.
Speaker 5: Me, TODAY again hey man. I appreciate, the invite of course.
Speaker 2: Let's we discussed the matchup, a few years ago obviously.
Discussing it back again be why ARE you taking on tcu?
Tonight late tip off is this the latest you've seen?
A game tipped off and are you going to be?
A tend the game are you in pro are you
going to be in provo or will? You be central
time because not that's like a ten o'clock.
Speaker 5: Tip, off for you well the only other game that
came close to this ONE was actually. THE byu football game,
I want to say i think they had a nine
to non central KICKOFF time maybe. If i, Remember accurately
but thankfully, i'm A night out so i would Have
Been up watching sports center, Or anything EITHER way so
unfortunately i won't. Be there this time this was THE
one road trip i really wanted to make during basketball,
season for THE tournament just because I want to. See,
aja in person man listen. Up TO the height but i. Won't. Be,
There tonight unfortunately.
Speaker 2: Hey i'm sad that. YOU won't be there i know,
you've come out before But hopefully at, THE big TWELVE
tournament i believe tcu would be one of, the top, eight.
Teams YOU know participating hopefully i can, see you down
there And hopefully the Horn frogs and the cougars can
get matched up later again and we could DEFINITELY see
that because i Would Love to see jamie dixon squad
go out of IT again with b yu one time in.
THE years is not. I don't like that i don't,
LIKE the you know i like the two ones where you,
go ON the road and i Like. The home and
away those are kind of. My, vibe, FOR sure.
Speaker 5: Yeah absolutely i agree there's a couple of couple teams
that tc won't get The host of shaw meyer Or Down.
HERE in fort Worth i don't think kansas. Is, coming
down here obviously they won't get A chance to see aj.
DOWN here in person i have to double check off the.
Top of my head i'm not Even, sure They. Play
HOUSTON oh, man so i Mean so They. Got arizona
last saturday that makes up for, it a little BIT
but definitely wish i had A chance to. Watch aj
in Person But even the kansas city IF. Something happens
to tcu. THEY get bounced EARLIER i gotta find i
don't find a way they'll be Able to stay at
EXTRA day and watch aj play. Live, AT least once.
Speaker 2: Hey i can tell, YOU from covering them i just
shake my. HEAD every single game i. Just don't understand
how and. You brought up that so from you being
around the coaching staff, the team this week? How did
they defend how do they scout? A guy Like, this
because even utah who has a WHO has a former
Nba Head, coach and alex jensen they were. Sending a
double team they were blitzing off the, strong the weak,
side throwing four bodies even, off all five guys and
he still was able to. Make the right read.
Speaker 5: So typically from My Years, of covering jamie DIXON at least.
With tc they don't they'll do some HALF court trapping
like aj does a lot of his. Work, in the
post obviously he's so good, in that mid, post LOW
post area so i think in no SITUATIONS you will
see tc you kind of send. A trap at him
but they're not really a team that, necessarily doubles a
lot and because they really don't like giving up those
wide open threes that come. Off of those traps as
the guys, are GOOD enough passer so i think early
on at least they're not gonna be silly enough to.
Just single cover him they'll kind of send some subtle
traps when he, gets into the post or trying to
get a second guy to kind of come at it
when he. Gets. Into the lane man but, FROM a
PERSONEL standpoint i think aj is gonna be THE most
difficult player tsu as a, guard because their wings they
just don't really have a guy that's is big OR
as strong as aj. On the roster CURRENTLY and you,
know i say that You Know LAST week, darren pieters
i think scored thirty, two points against them so they
kind of had issues kind of guarding some of these
top tier one and done. Top TEN potential picks so
i think they'll have THEIR hands full.
Speaker 2: With, aj for sure yeah that's the guy that gets.
To the mid POST talk, about the tcu defense is
that Something that the horn frogs this year struggling with this.
PROTECTING that the Basket I know that malik diabolo's. Out
in this game that seems like the guy that would.
Be THE shot blocker but i feel like they're missing
maybe that six ten six. Eleven guy right.
Speaker 5: Now so before last week they had kind of found.
A strong defensive identity they, were TOP twenty five and i, think,
the bost scoring. Defense, and defensive, Rating look they're smaller
they're a scrappy team that can force. A lot of
turnovers and even though, They Don't have elite david punch
is probably. Their best rem protector HE'S probably shorter than
aj at. Six six sixty, SEVEN at one point i
know he was lead in. The big twelven blocks he might.
Be second right now so he's a guy that can
easily get up there the three three to five blocks
in the game just with his defensive. Instincts and, HIS
athleticism but overall i guess the issue they kind of
just struggled with so far the's Last two Games against
kansas and arizona is they're facing, more town to rosters facing,
more Talented shot makers and. Arizona down, THE strips you
know tc, would make a, run make a run cut,
it to eight points and then you had Some of
those dynamic arason the guards man just hitting hiding contested.
Threes GETTING a one so i think there's A limit
on what tcu can do to kind of make teams
uncomfortable just, From A personnel standpoint but i, would say
generally speaking they are a good defensive team and they
understand that they have to win a. Lot of these
games trying to, win, in the seventies man because if
it gets to the eighties or, certainly In the, nineties
THAT'S BYU's game and tcu just DOESN'T have the firepower
i think to match up in. That, type of game
yeah this.
Speaker 2: Is a team that definitely wants, to play in transition
but they want to get, up into the body keep
you on the perman to make you TAKE. Tough shots
at byu they got three dudes alone that together they're
the best trio. Scoring, IN the country steven i mean
they they're putting, up sixty sixty five if not. SEVENTY
points A game i think i saw stat the other
day that out of the one thousan out, of the
one thousand one HUNDRED forty, something Points bou scored that
big three is scored nine hundred and, fifty one of
them like over sixty. Six percent of scoring how do
you disrupt early being on the road in a late
time game. Or a tough place it's a, tough Place
To Win. The mayor out. Center it's not easy but
now you add a future, top three pick potentially AND
then two other, nba guys as well how do you
slow that team down? From start to, finish.
Speaker 5: I'm not SURE, man, IF you're, tcu man, i think
for one it would help if they get out to,
a faster start offensively, especially ON the road BECAUSE i
know that i still haven't had a chance to go
Up And, visit THE marriott center but i know what's
that it's probably one of the most underrated. Environments in
college basketball SO the last thing tcu wants to do,
is GO up There let aj and richie and right
and all. Those guys get out let's say an eleven
four or twelve five type of lead and where. That
CROWD is rocking SO, i think with tcu, they're three
point shooting even though they invested, so much in that,
it's been, so inconsistent so sporadic even though they do
a pretty good job. Of CREATING good looks SO, i
think for tcu if they're able to knock down some
early three POINTERS kind of keep byu out of kind
of the open court because tc likes to. Play FAST
as well but i think they understand this isn't a
team they had a couple Of Years ago With Mike.
Miles and damian BARBERS they had the nba, talent as
well too so they had to pick their spots when
they want. To GET in transition so i think it
comes down to execute, in the half court knocking down
the open, shots YOU can Create And i think david
punch has to be the. Guy that lean on it
was Kind, of quiet against arizona but if you can
kind of get the boss in into kind of, that
mid post area let them kind of get, to that
jump hook that's probably been their best option.
Speaker 2: In The, half court david punch the six seven two
and Forty six pounder from texas coming in with fourteen
points a game and just under eight rebound to seven
point eight and just under two assists with one point
it shoots fifty three. Percent FROM the field this tcu
ball club shooting almost around thirty five percent from the. Three,
they've been tested look they're forty THREE third in that
i know the drop. On spot doesn't matter been, tested
quad one games they're two And, Three wins over, Wisconsin, Kansas,
Excuse me. Wisconsin. Florida my apologies uh and Then the
lost to michigan THAT was such a i know that was.
A heartbreaking for Him the lost to kansas, had that
One too and then arizona obviously who's looking like who
is the best. Team in the country and Then the
win over baylor to start off conference player this team.
Has been Been Tested, outside of david punch who Else
ALONG for the rider byu fans. Need, to worry about
offensively they got some double digit. Scores on This.
Speaker 5: Roster i'd say Brock, carding outside of david is probably
the most. Important player on offense he's probably been THE
best point guard Tc Has had since mike miles a.
Couple of years ago everything starts with him in terms,
of initiating the offense. Being that top distributor he's the
definition of a. Quarterback on the court so what They, really,
NEED from brock honestly i think it's just. Some more
shot making his free throws have been a, little inconsistent
this year and that was the reason they kind of Dropped.
That game AT kansas he missed i think two or
three free Throws Down. The stretch Exavier edmonds He's, a
he's from california but he Spent Two Years At Salt.
Lake city Community College him and david punch their undersized
man but they're both. REALLY very skilled players i think
they're both cable of scoring double, digits on any night
So they have to if tc can keep him, OUT
of foul trouble i think that will increase the odds.
Of that they have but maybe, pulling OFF an upset
but i think IT'S probably. THE biggest x factor i
Think It's gonna be michael robinson or A Guy that Called.
LT latars THE lavish's i think i probably. Just butchered
his name if one of Those guys doesn't have in
my opinion of fifteen, FIFTEEN plus point night i think
it's gonna BE hard pressed for tcu to come. Out
with a win they just need another another. Guy on
the wing they're. Scoring on the wing it's. Just been
so inconsistent robinson was, a highly recruited KID local kid
from bmw has shown flashes of being maybe that guy
that can kind of take over. That small forward spot
halts the best. Shooter on the team he hasn't played
better recently but he's also got, Those threes aren't falling
he's not really, Giving you much rebound he's not really,
Giving you much defysively so they're still looking for a
guy to. EMERGE on the Wings I, would Say david
punch brock harding and one of those two wings are
probably the main would be. The Main focus ON if, I'm, a.
Speaker 2: Byu fan yeah those guys definitely shoot it, at a
high clip shooting over thirty eight percent from FROM. Three
and then. Mikel robinson coming in he can give you
ten points a game and he can get on. The
Glass as well brock Harding always love an illinois native
as Of, myself being from. Illinois so respect That Let's talk,
about tanner toolson though this is a guy that, went
into the PORTAL, started his Career Byu, went to utah valley.
GOES into THE portal i believe smu WAS in THE
mixed Tcu B YU and utah state tcu end UP getting.
Them b Yu didn't what has tanner. BEING able to
provide i know THAT'S a name that bya fans are
going to, be looking forward tonight number fifty five because
STARTED his career at byu AND has family. Ties, byu
as well.
Speaker 5: Yeah so he's been a bit OF a spark PLUG
i think. For tcu this season he, comes off the
bench brings, a lot of energy, a lot of rebound,
a lot of defense and What the, Showcase, against, arizona
was hey man he can knock down some. Shots as
well too he had three three pointers. AND scored twenty
points i believe that was his second twenty. Point game
this season so he was kind of almost single handedly
kind of Led those comebacks AGAINST arizona to keep. Tcu
in the game so they were, down twenty multiple points,
got Within single digits and tanner played a big part
in nearly. All of those runs so HE'S the guy
that i think is carving out more OF. A role
with Tcu it wouldn't be it Wouldn't surprise me if
alved he, plays a lot more especially if they just
need a guy that CAN, kind of SPY, aj JUST
guard aj because i think it'll be all, hands ON
deck Approach and i think tanner's. THE type, of guy
i mean if there's a guy on the roster that,
can probably guard him it Might Be. Him And michael
robinson jase posey is another wing defender that have a,
lot of confidence in even though he kind of made A,
MISTAKE against Can so i think tanner's role, is continuing
TO grow and now i think he kind of maybe
earned himself some more mens with the Way. He, performed
against arizona yeah.
Speaker 2: He definitely Perform well. In an arizona game those are
three guys you gotta. Throw As Many bodies if jamie
dixon's Watching, TAPE and seeing UTAH i imagine that tcu
might try, to throw different bodies maybe not press as hard,
and double as hard but they definitely don't want to
let aj. Get to a spot but it's tough when
that trio is average and the type of. POINTS is
to do i need to get you, Out. Of here
soon Steven As we got steven johnson. Here on the
line withes breaking DOWN and PREVIEWING this. Ba versus tcu
matchup it's gonna BE helping out on espn two tip,
offs at nine pm. Little late tip off steven and
myself will both. Be watching the game, he's A night owl.
SO i love that i love my night, owls because
you KNOW some, people like i like they like those.
FIVE thirty wake ups i still, will WAKE up early
but i like to stay. Up two two am so
you're GONNA be Entertained, On espn late steven i'll get
you out. Of here on this give me a score.
Prediction for the game how do you see? This one
playing out it would be Tough if the horn frogs drop.
Their third straight game i'm looking at the. Schedules just so.
Tough like they play, they played great teams but to
lose back to, back games like that and then if
they were, to lose a third. That would, be tough but,
man this big twelve it's tough to. Win on the Road, But,
number one arizona Yeah, the road against kansas now YOU.
HAVE to play byu I know, they'll play utah next
but then they go On the road to baylor. In
a Few weeks you got, Houston Coming to. Town iowa
states coming it's just it's tough to. Win in this
league how do you see?
Speaker 5: This ONE playing out if, I had to pick i
see IT somewhere around maybe byu winning eighty. Seven to,
SEVENTY five you know i think it will be, mostly
a close game but, then as you know you. GET
down the STRETCH i just think byu just has. TOO
much shot MAKING i don't think tcu. Has enough of
it and it's Unfortunate for the horn frost because if
you Close, the deal against kansas you would have ended
this four game, ganallet TWO and two AND i think
the i think the whole entire program would have been
jumping for joy after facing, Three straight, Top ten top,
fifteen top twenty teams facing four straight teams the first round.
Pick ON the roster so i think they'll. Follow, ONE
to THREE man i think I. THINK they'll push byu
i don't think it'll Be, easy for the cougars But
just from what i've seen the, LAST couple of weeks
I just don't think tcu has to firepower to go
on THE road. In, upset byu tonight yeah.
Speaker 2: It's gonna be Tough Especially. AT the MARRIOUT center i
think I Saw STAT that kevin young i think IS
what like twenty i think three And two at the marriott.
And is Really Tough and when richie saunders scores over,
Twenty points the season bau's nine and oh and they're
twenty two and, Three in those games so it's gonna
be really tough to be. Able to do that so.
We'll SEE what happens BUT byu taking on Tcu Tonight
in the marriout center game tip off A nine. Pm,
On ESPN two stephen before, i let you go where
can we find? All of your work what's the best
way for our? Listeners to support you what you do and?
Speaker 5: How? You, do it uh well we can check out
any of My Articles At The. Fort worth star. Telegram
we just did we did a preview earlier THIS week. At,
the byu game well obviously have some game covers, from
the tc perspective and can Also followed Me ON. Twitter at.
Steven M johnson underscore some byu football fans are probably
FAMILIAR with me because i was ONE of the, only i.
WILL say national journalists i really believe b why you
should have been in? The college football playoff that's another. Conversation.
For another day man thank you.
Speaker 2: For having, me on oh yeah we'll have to HAVE
you Back Because i know ben critter would love to
break that down with you and TALK about that because
i agree by you definitely. Should Have, been in but
steven thanks. For your time today we'll catch.
Speaker 5: Up, with, YOU again yeah. Sir i Appreciate You.
Speaker 2: That was stephen johnson he is A Part Of The
fort worth star. TELEGRAM award WINNING reporter i agree baa
football should have been in, the college football playoffs but it's.
On to basketball season. We'll have him back if you,
miss any of that you can catch it on the
podcast or we Get, Your, Podcasts On, iTunes Spreaker, Google,
play iHeart radio spotify, give us a rating, give us
a review and Then follow Him ON. Twitter At. Steven
m JOHNSON. Underscore he's picking byu i'm. ALSO picking boy
you i like to score petition eighty eighty. Seven to
seventy five. I'M gonna go around i go eighty SEVEN
seventy seven and i picked the Exact. SAME score b
yu i think. Does win this one we. Gotta go
to break i'm gonna turn It Back, over to Andrew.
Peterson to clamp clark they're going to. Close, out for
you guys give you their keys to the game and score.
Prediction coming up. Next don't go Anywhere this is the
cougar basketball pregame show right here on one oh three nine, and.
Ninety eight Three guys.
Speaker 1: HEAs the cougar basketball pre game show on, one oh
three nine THEN ninety Eight. Three espn the Fan.
Speaker 3: Welcome back the coober basketball Pre game Show With Ronald
And Free man weaver andrew peterson. Here holding it down
ron's on. Some personal business tonight he'll be back.
Speaker 4: For the next.
Speaker 3: Game don't you worry we're live here on one of
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your order this Is The final segment cougar basketball. About
to tip off in just about seventeen minutes nine. O'clock
tip late tip, So without further ado i'll bring back
cam and we are going to preview and give you
our picks AND PREDICTIONS for. This byu tcu matchup some
quick stats here COMING into the game, BYU fifteen and one,
tcu eleven and five One and two AND. Big twelve
is tcu they've lost their last, two In a Row.
Lost arizona and, Kansas not, easy opponent it's no.
Speaker 7: Not easy at all you expect them to Lose that
game that, kansas one was tough had, a really good
chance went up big blew a huge lead.
Speaker 6: In the second half all they had to do.
Speaker 7: Was inbound the ball they had a shot it and given,
it to you know one of their guys to make
it play to in the game and just threw It
right to a kansas guy couldn't grab the ball out
of bounds.
Speaker 6: And lost the game. Tough one FOR them so b.
Speaker 3: Yu Three and zero the big twelve Tight for First.
With Arizona and houston iowa state went. Down last Night
Too the aforementioned kansas, Jayhawks got blown out but.
Speaker 4: That's neither here. Nor There For now.
Speaker 3: The KEN palm rankings b, YU in at eleven. Tcu
at fifty third the net rankings had been, kinder TO
both teams the uyu IN at nine and. Tcu at
forty third tc has had kind of an. Up and
down year they've. Had some good wins they Beat. A
team like Florida. THEY did beat baylor i Don't know
how good. Baylor is this year it's.
Speaker 6: A completely new team they. Didn't return one guy.
Speaker 3: THEY'RE a good brand i don't know if. THEY'RE a
GOOD team i think i.
Speaker 6: Would to put It.
Speaker 3: They lost to new orleans and the opener that was rock.
Bottom from the beginning but the the over under right
now or the spread right now is thirteen and a HALF,
in FAVOR of byu and espn has the over under
in at one sixty one and. A, HALF Right NOW.
Speaker 7: Interesting i so i was looking at some. Of SOME
more stats so byu currently has is forty, third in the,
nation or excuse, me not forty third sixty seventh in
the nation at seventy. Four, POSSESSIONS per game okay tcu
is one hundred and twenty third at. Seventy two point
six so they play they play a. Slower GAME slower
game so tcu shoots just under fifty percent, THEIR four
goal percentage byu SLIGHTLY over.
Speaker 6: This is i think that thirteen and a. HALF line
is great i agree.
Speaker 7: That that's going to BE right about where i. See
the game going we'll get, to our, score predictions you
know as we. Close Out the show but i'm. GONNA
take the under i actually think this game will be played.
A LITTLE bit slower teams i think will get, a
little trigger happy.
Speaker 6: Gonna lead.
Speaker 7: To some miss shots so don't be surprised if you.
See a slow start we talked about during THE break
slow start BYU had last time Tcu Was.
Speaker 6: In, the marriott center yeah THE.
Speaker 3: Last time that tcu so let's talk. About, the history
here overall this game has been. Played twenty four times
this is the TWENTY fifth MATCHUP between bau. AND tcu
in basketball byu has been. Dominant in this series they're
twenty and. Four in this series last year They lost
to begin big twelve play or Near the beginning of BIG.
Twelve play, AT tcu before that byu. Had WON seventeen
straight so byu has been a pretty dominant. Team in
this MATCHUP the last time Tcu Came. TO the marriott
center i was in, Attendance Twenty twenty four. Mark pope's
final year, Who by the way kentucky did win on,
A BUZZER beater tonight so i don't know.
Speaker 4: How Our Fans.
Speaker 3: Feel about mark, pope still just thought way.
Speaker 4: Throw that out, there.
Speaker 3: Good FOR him right b yu was, down sixteen at
halftime forty, Six TO twenty nine and i vividly remember
this because IF you, go to byau games you know
that when the team comes back out to the court
from halftime to, do their warm ups you get the
announcer and he goes and please welcome to the field
OR The. Court your byu cougars and then the band
starts playing.
Speaker 4: And ever starts cheering.
Speaker 3: We.
Speaker 4: ALL get happy yeah ba is down forty, six to
twenty nine.
Speaker 3: AN abysmal first half i remember the announcer COMES And,
now your byu cougars and there was a very half
hearted yay and like a golf clap. Yeah from the
fan we, were everyone stuck around but it was clear
there were some people ready to hit.
Speaker 4: The EXITS early ON can.
Speaker 6: I can i just say? STAY the whole game i
don't care. What kind of game it is.
Speaker 7: Stay the whole game you paid. The price of admission
you didn't pay three quarters of. The price of admission you.
Pay the whole thing go to.
Speaker 3: The whole game exactly but but b when, you come
strolling back they score fifty eight points a second half
win it eighty.
Speaker 4: Seven To seventy five ritchie saunders hit the. GO ahead
three pointer.
Speaker 3: I remember that one but as we get around six
minutes left, in the show today before we send you
off to, go watch the game, listen, to the game however.
However you consume it that's THE last time that Tc Was. In,
the marriott center YEAH and the crowd i feel like.
Played a pivotal role and this is going to.
Speaker 4: GO into my pick.
Speaker 3: I think that thirteen and a half spread. IS A
good number i i'm. NOT a betting man i want.
Speaker 4: TO be very clear. I do not, bet MY wife's listening.
BUT i really.
Speaker 3: Don't i DON'T bet but if i, was a betting
man this IS not a game i would bet because
it could go.
Speaker 4: Either WAY to me but i am Going to pick.
B yu to cover. I think they win i. THINK
they barely cover. I think they win. Somewhere in the
realm eighty. Two to sixty. Eight that's my pick.
Speaker 6: It's funny.
Speaker 7: You say EIGHTY two that's where i, was going as
well You're Gonna get. The jersey mics giveaway you score
any Points To, get the, jersey mics you. Know THE
whole deal but i think. THEY barely don't cover.
Speaker 6: I think eighty.
Speaker 7: TWO to seventy seventy i think We Talked, about earlier,
tan tilson you know it's kind of a. REVENGE game
for him i. Think he PLAYS, well you know tcu
they've got four scorers who averaged. Ten or more game
we'll see kind of. What happens with that it's gonna
be real interesting just to see what happens there where they.
Get their, SCORING from but yeah i think a twelve point.
Game DON'T quite cover but.
Speaker 3: I think this is one of those games where b
way You Focus, is ON david punch but i think. Somebody,
else gets loose yeah and and maybe gives them a.
Little BIT of energy like i said, EARLIER on the
show i don't. EXPECT this TO that i don't i
don't expect the game to be in doubt with. THREE
minutes to play i think by you will have the
game in hand enough that everyone feels very comfortable in a, B,
why you win Yeah that's. That's WHERE i'm at but
i do think this Is a game where aj gets his.
Speaker 4: Because as as in ron's interview, that we just played
they talked about they don't know.
Speaker 3: ABOUT their Wing defenders i think AJ's got a few
matchups he. CAN take advantage of i, THINK he, can
really i mean he's the best. Player in the Country We,
Can talk darren peterson cambus or they're great players.
Speaker 4: As the best.
Speaker 3: Player, in the country yeah as far as totally un
by his opinion from a, B y you sportscaster i'll give.
Speaker 6: You a biased, opinion It's. It's agent it's aj.
Speaker 3: AJ's gonna get his i think rich is going to
have a pretty normal seventeen eighteen points And similar from from.
Rob probably, around FIFTEEN okay That but i think aj
is gonna get in the realm of. TWENTY five twenty
seven i think he's going to be a. DECIDING factor
as always i think he's. Going to absolutely dominate because
while he Did, score twenty against, utah it felt. Quiet
it really Did it felt like richie was THE show
SHOWS from Aj.
Speaker 4: And i think AJ's been itching.
Speaker 3: TO go get.
Speaker 6: It, I like that SEE i ACTUALLY think i, think aj,
sits around you know his. Average.
Speaker 7: TWENTY two Points Maybe i think richie saunders has a
big nights LAST two games against tcu twenty four back,
in twenty twenty four that game we mentioned in twenty
six last Time out when the Cubs Lost. OVER in
fort worth. Aj or excuse me richie just needs six
points to enter top twenty all. Time, by scoring list
yep you know He's Going to pass rolling, mivinson with
five points moves into twenty.
Speaker 6: Spots, With six points yeahs.
Speaker 4: Richie's gonna get there.
Speaker 6: At the, End of the night richie will be a
top TWENTY. Score. FOR b Yu yeah i Think. Richie
called him now richie goes, For twenty.
Speaker 7: Five tonight RICHIE goes for five, aja probably twenty three twenty,
four to twenty FIVE rob at fifteen byu.
Speaker 4: Does Rely heavily.
Speaker 3: On the big three they don't have much, production OUTSIDE
of that and I, THINK especially, With Beto i mean
kava kata might.
Speaker 4: GET double did.
Speaker 3: Tonight i don't know he's, he's been for me he's
been the guy. That could get there but. He's, been
SPLITTING minutes.
Speaker 7: Yeah and i think With a, DEFENDER that david punches
I don't Know if i expect kiba to. Get a
whole lot punch is pretty. Good around the rim two, Point,
six blocks games yeah. It says a lot he, doesn't
have the height it's. ONLY six To Seven i expect
canard davis to. Be, instrumental in stopping.
Speaker 3: Yeah he's been A defensive player for ba. This year
for sure, some OTHER numbers though rebounding byu has a
thirty the thirty nine point, NINE rebounds per game tcu.
Thirty six point five but WHERE it's interesting is tcu
gets twenty four points Six defensive rebounds where. Boa gets
Twenty eight so so ba's clearly better. On the defensive
glass they've been assertive on the offensive. Glass as of
late that could be another. KEY to the game i
think rebounding. Getting extra extra possessions so for me the.
KEYS of the game aj gets going as always and,
you GET extra possessions and I think that.
Speaker 4: Puts, TCU to bed.
Speaker 7: Yeah i like That the only one i'd add to
that is and this is an interesting one because we
Don't Know exactly what Tannon tilson's gonna do toulson just
went Out, for twenty against arizona the number one.
Speaker 6: Team in the nation.
Speaker 7: Toolson's we talked about. It's his revenge game he's it's
his GET. Back game at byu don't. Let, him get
hot yeah that's my.
Speaker 6: Key to the game. Who knows.
Speaker 7: What happens you know tilson obviously not one of, their
top tier players but don't. Let him get hot he's
the one that can hurt.
Speaker 3: You, in this game yeah don't let the man with,
the emotions get hot because basketball can be, an emotional
game sometimes and when someone with, high emotions gets hot
it's hard. To, cool him down yeah, and they start talking.
They start making plays, it could be tough but that's
gonna Do it. For Our cougar pregame cougar basketball PREGAME
show Here On espn the fans Special thing you To Ronald.
The three man weaver he'll, be back next, time but
until Then This has been andrew peterson Holding It down
with cam Clark Here On.
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