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Speaker 2: Back this somarch is right around the corner and the
Cougars are in the metal of it.
Speaker 1: It's time to talk some college basketball on Cougar Sports
with Ben Cripple.
Speaker 2: We welcome back here sports one those three nine ninety
eight point three ESPN the Fan. I've been turtle broadcasting
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Speaker 3: Nobody does it better than Vanderwalth It he's.
Speaker 2: Done for little uh college basketball on Cougar Sports. It's
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Speaker 2: All right, let's get out to the hotline and welcome
in former b YU.
Speaker 3: Great.
Speaker 2: He's on the BYU Sports Network alongside Greg rue Bell.
Always on the call, and he's lying from Adam on
Diam and we got Mark Durant on the line.
Speaker 3: Was up, Durantela, Well what's up, Vanie.
Speaker 4: I'm looking out at the beautiful valley as we speak.
I thought, you know, what better way to ask for
some divine help for the cougars tonight than to go
out and one of those most sacred spots in the world. So,
uh yeah, I couldn't miss being out here. It's a
beautiful place. I love. I'm a church history guy. Man.
I went we went to Liberty Jail. I just love
everything about it. Those those early saints were the real deal, man.
They were amazing amazing peace people of faith, and it's
just an honor to kind of follow their path and
see where they did their thing and think about what
the future holds for this place.
Speaker 2: Yes, indeed, Well, look, I read through the President's report,
Shane Reeves's report today, and you know one thing I
love about Shane rees just to kind of circle back into, like,
b WHYU and the why of everything?
Speaker 3: Why we doing this, why we're playing hoop?
Speaker 2: It's got to be an ambassadorial tool mark basketball, football, sports, academics, spirituality,
paroselyting all the things, they all have to be ambassadorial
in my opinion. So I appreciate you being out there
and understanding the real why of it all.
Speaker 4: Well, thank you. I mean I it's you can't separate
BYU sports from the mission of the school. And I
don't think you should. I think it should. You should
be crowd and wear that on your chest and say
this is who we are. And and I do think
that sports success can open some minds and hearts to
the greater, more important message. And sports is obviously fun.
It's a huge part of my life. I love everything
about it. I've dedicated a lot of my life to it.
But it's just a little part of life, and it's
just that there's a lot more important things and that's
kind of what we're about as a people and as
a church. And so anyway, I don't want to get
up here preach, but you know, I am an Adam
on diamond, So I feel a little preachy right now.
Speaker 3: You know.
Speaker 2: Well, hopefully the BAU basketball team will continue to play
inspired basketball at the Big Twelve Tournament because this third
iteration of the BAU men's basketball team, Man, this is
that was quite a performance offensively game one, defensively Game two,
we're seeing phenomenal effort. I remember seeing a tweet from
you in the middle of a game not too long
ago saying like, I don't know what to tell you, guys,
it's a mess. Wow, how things have might change over
that time period.
Speaker 4: Yeah, it's crazy. Man, that was just a week or
two ago, and it was a mess, and there was
no sugarcoating it.
Speaker 3: It was.
Speaker 4: They looked terrible, particularly on that that road swing. They
just dropped the UCF at home and went on the
road and just laid eggs on the road, looked lost,
looked uninspired and whatever. Coach Young and the team has
done has been miraculous, and the coach Young deserves a
heck of a lot of credit for finding what this
team needed, inspiring them Guys like Moo Davis who had
his best game yesterday, Hadeen Boop Kbaketa, I like I say,
Kostitch now Dominic Diamande has played terrific in this tournament
out of nowhere. Credit those guys for stepping up, finding
another gear, finding some passion and effort. Credit the coaching
staff for kind of simplifying things to it. Sometimes what
looks like a lack of effort ben is a lack
of knowledge and understanding. And sometimes guys just didn't know
exactly what they were doing and so you're lost. But
I think they've simplified things and basically said, you know,
look at the on ball defense right now. It's so
much better. And they've said, listen, your job is to
stop the guy with the ball. You're not going to
get a lot of help. We've been over helping. You're
not going to get a lot of rotations. Your job
is to take a challenge and stop your guy. And
even and Rob Wright has done that. And I talked
about the other guys. You watch them they're not needing
a lot of help. They're stopping their guy on their own.
And you just need to be able to do that
in any level of basketball. But in college, just if
you have to help every time, then their teams are
too good. They're going to get to the open guy
that if they're if if you have to help from somewhere,
that means someone's open. And teams are too good and
they find the open guy and they're knocking down threes
and and and then everything's good for them. So it
starts with the point of the spear.
Speaker 3: On the ball.
Speaker 4: He's doing a better job of that, and then just
playing harder and with more enthusiasm and aggressiveness. I think
MoU is a guy that's he sets the toughness tone.
Like you did for the football team, MoU is for
the basketball team. He's the tough guy. And when he
sets the tone and says I'm I'm playing today, guys,
they they follow him. And anyway, that's a long winded
answer to say this is a completely different team that
than that tweet referenced. It's just been a short period
of time, but they've managed to do great things in
that in that short period and and I'm now much
more excited about the future prospects even against the great
team like Houston and tonight, because of how they played
and then going forward in the NCAA tournament, I feel
a lot better about the chances for this team going forward.
Speaker 2: There is something to the sense of urgency of tournament
play in March madness. And I'm not trying to say
that these guys weren't trying, they didn't want to try.
They were just kind of even regular season mode. But
like we all know, in the NBA, for instance, right
we're all trying. We're trying to be provo, right, p
r O capitol, p r O lokvo. No one's playing
defense until you know, the playoffs anyway, no one's playing
hard until the playoffs.
Speaker 4: Right, Well, it seems that way. I'm pretty sure that's
not the message that Kevin Young was communicating to his guys,
but it's just it's played out that way. And and
I guess if you're going to pick a time to
play well and to play hard, it's better to do
it in the in the playoffs type setting. And certainly,
you know, you know, effort is, like most things, is
about momentum and contagion. And and once you start playing
hard and kind of catch the spirit of it and
see the fruits of success and the you know, the
turnovers and the steels and the layups and the windmill dunks,
and that gets guys pumped up. And and I think
that's what they're seeing right now. They're seeing some fruits
of the success. And because working hard is I mean
hard work, and it's not easy to do or else
everybody would do it. But when you work hard and
see some success from it, then it, you know, kind
of helps you to keep working hard. And I think
we're seeing that from this team, no.
Speaker 3: Doubt about it.
Speaker 2: Mark Durant here on ESPN the Fan talking some BYU Basketball,
Little College Basketball and Cougar Sports, brought to you by
Devil Pros of Utah devilprosoutah dot com. Speaking of of
dental care, how about rob Ry getting a lip laceration,
getting tooth knocked out and still playing and balling out
doing well in the following game. I'll be honest, I
was at concern k wyhead for us.
Speaker 3: I was like, is he going to be limited? Will
he be as aggressive?
Speaker 2: Will he be as you know, as physical as we
saw him in the game prior, in some of the
games prior your thoughts on Rob right the third he
also mentioned He also mentioned that he's coming back to
be He's either going professional or he's coming back to Provo,
which I think is great news.
Speaker 4: Yeah, that's awesome to hear. Of course, a lot of
things can happen, but I love Rob. He's just a sweet,
happy guy, always fun to see and and a tough
cent of a gun. I mean that I've had my
lip cut open, I have a loss of tooth. But
that stitches, and that's painful to play the next day,
and it throbs, and you've got he's probably got an
appliance in there to protect his mouth, and I don't know,
if you're not used to playing with that, it's hard.
And then I mean, this is this is a guy
that has to go over the top of screens with
seven footers NonStop, and their elbows are right near your face.
And he got hit a couple of times in his chin.
And then he goes in the paint amongst the trees
and there's a lot of contact in there. I mean,
he's not a player that's avoiding contact and able to
avoid contact. So that's really impressive how tough he was
to go out and play, and I think he got
more comfortable with it as it went and had a
nice strong finish to help the what You pull Away
last night. But yeah, I love the guy. His game
is so fun. He's just he's like Curly Neil, I
mean the Globetrotters. Well, you watch him out there and
he goes through his legs about ten times every possession
and back and forth, and imagine having to guard that guy.
It's pretty crazy. But he's fun to watch and is
a great kid. And if he wants to come back
to BYU, that is great news and Cougar fans should
just rejoice that we have a guy like that thinking
of that thinks highly enough of BYU, wants to be
there and and we'll see what happens. He might go
pro he's good enough, but if he wants to stay
another year, I would love to have him in Cougar Blue.
Speaker 2: Indeed, I think everybody would like to have He's tremendously talented,
a really good player, no doubt. There has been issues
with the defense, but he seems to be mongoose. Like
in the Big twelve tournament, what do you think the
ceiling is for this BAU team. If they're playing the
way they're playing right now, they keep you know, this
is sustainable. Let's say it's sustainable through the Big twelve
tournament into the NCAA tournament.
Speaker 4: It's hard to say. I think today it will be
a good indication of how they compete against like Final
four Elite eight caliber teams. Certainly they can beat, you know,
I would expect him to win a game or two
if they play like they have been playing. But then
you get some really really good teams, and I know
BYU beat Texas Tech at home, but on a neutral
floor against a team like Houston, we'll we'll see. Like
I said, I have a lot higher expectations of this
game than I would have had a week or two go.
And I think that b way you can play with Houston,
But this will kind of be the real test against
one of the best defenses in the country and a
team that beats you at home. Then we'll know if
Y use a team that can go a couple of
weeks into a tournament, or if it's if it's not
going to be the tournament run that we hope for.
I mean It's not all depends on one game. I mean,
b what you has played a couple of games, their
legs maybe get a little tired, and anyway, the games
like this can actually get away from you. But so
I'm not going to pin all of the way use
future hopes against the game tonight, but it will give
us an indication of can this team without Richie Saunders
and others compete at the very highest of levels. And
I'm excited to see what they can do.
Speaker 3: More.
Speaker 2: I had a knee jerk reaction about a week ago.
I said, you know what, It's true, b WHATU is
a football school. I thought they would become possibly maybe
a basketball school, but no, they're a football school. And
now I'm I'm teeter tottering. I'm like, wait, wait, do
I have to change my mind again? I'm being tossed
to and fro by every win, every whim of this
Bway basketball team. I want to believe that we're a
basketball scol because we have all the state centers, all
the basketball courts around the world, around the country, and
it just seems like that.
Speaker 3: Would be the best ad to either that or.
Speaker 2: Once upon a time in your era, a softball school
it could have been that too, or baseball school, because
we got all the all the you know you you
probably played church softball once upon a time, the slow pits.
Speaker 3: Didn't you.
Speaker 4: Oh yeah, that was a big part of my childhood,
all the the Ward and state softball and basketball. That
was big time stuff back then.
Speaker 3: It's massive.
Speaker 2: I know it's a liability issue now, X, Y and Z.
I'm sure there's all manner of of litigation that occurred
because of the thing. But hey, are we a football
score of basketball school?
Speaker 3: Are you? What are you feeling right now? I mean,
are we a both school? I mean, look, we're doing
a great both.
Speaker 4: What's the meme ban? Why can't we be both? I guess, well,
how about we split it up? Basketball school during basketball
season and football during football season? I guess the good
thing is it's hard to decide because they're both have
been so successful. That's that's fun. I mean, b Yu,
I guess historically, I mean, you think about football. But
hopefully in the future, b Yu is going to be
a contender each year for you know, basketball titles, and
we'll have a chance at some of those, and so
let's let's be both. We'll split time for now.
Speaker 2: Yes, indeed, give me a prognostication, give me a scouting
report on Houston. How do you think this game plays
out tonight? What challenges does this Houston team pose for
the BYU Cougars.
Speaker 4: Well, I just think depth and sperience. You know, they've
been able to keep a lot of guys and coach
Sampson is a terrific coach and has built a culture
of great defense, and so it's going to make everything
more difficult on the offensive end. I'm sure they'll have
a good plan for Aj who's been just phenomenal in
this tournament, and there's been a lot of ways they've
tried to stop him and no one has really been
able to do it yet. So we'll see what Houston
can do. But I'm not worried about a J and
Rob so much. Is the part of the success bo
he's had is because of the bench play and and
Hadiem and MoU and Kaba, and it's harder for those
guys to really excel against excellent defensive teams. If they can,
then I think you have a really good chance. But
Houston has so many weapons, such a great defense, great coach,
You're always going to be up against the bo He's
yet to beat them in Big twelve play, and uh,
it's going to take one of their best games of
the year to do it today. But we'll see. I mean,
like I said, I'm my glasses are a lot bluer
as I look at this team now with what they've
put on the floor of the last three games.
Speaker 2: Is uh, is Kepa due for a big game? Is
Alexi maybe do for a big game versus Houston? Alexi struggled.
Speaker 3: He struggled a little bit in the Big twelve in
Big Tell tournament play thus far.
Speaker 2: We know he can get hot. We know he can
he can shoot it with the best of them. Who's
due for a big game versus Houston?
Speaker 4: Do you think, yeah, well, it would be nice if
Alexi could do it. He has struggled. You know, he
was the one guy on the road trip that was
actually playing really well and his numbers went skyrocketing from
three and now when everyone else is playing well, he's
kind of one guy that hasn't. But he's going to
get open looks. If he could hit some, that would
be nice. Sometimes I think he hurries his shot a
little bit. Just step into it, you know, get comfortable.
You got time, you know, find the rims, shoot your shot,
and he's I think he'll be fine. But yeah, I
think he and I think Caba has actually been playing
really well. I wish they'd look for Kaba Moore on
the block. I mean, they're so concerned about a Jen
Rob that he's Roman free down there, and I think
you could find him a lot more than they do.
And I trust him, you know, to dunk it or
catch it and score it. He's actually developed some good
offensive skills. So I hope that you know, when teams,
when teams are are are helping with their big man,
you've got to punish him. You got to get it
down low a k But he could have a big game.
But really everybody's got to contribute. It can't be a
two man game for BYU that they need to have
five or six seven guys that have really good games.
Speaker 2: Mark durant, Ladies and gentlemen, live from Adam on Diam
and give us the spirits the thought before we leave,
before we bid you farewell, and let you get to
your important workout there, not only on the court, but
off the court as well.
Speaker 4: Yeah, we better head back, I hear there's a game
going on in Kansas City tonight that I need to
get to. But I love man, Listen, I love the
church so much. I love the Saints, I love the pioneers.
These two humble folks, the elders and elder and sister
from vernal Utah out here on a mission in their
late seventies, given us tours of liberty, jail and independence Missouri.
Elder and Sister Tacker from vernal Utah. I mean, they're
just the best people in the world. The Gospel makes beautiful, kind,
faithful people, and so I'm grateful to be a part
of it. I'm grateful to be a part of BYU
that represents that church. And this team that plays hard
and plays is fun to watch and it's all good.
I'm here with my sweetheart merrily, and I'm a blessed man,
and so I've got a lot of blessings and a
lot to be grateful for. And it kind of puts
it all in perspective when you come to places like this,
what's really important. So I'm going to cheer for the Cougars,
help they get the victory, but if they don't, that's
all right too. We're blessed in a lot of ways
and anyway, so I love you too, Ben, You're a
great man. Ronald's a great, great guy too, and you
do great service for BAU fans and do a great job.
I admire and respect you guys. So thanks for all
you do. And I guess I better get back on
the road.
Speaker 2: Hit the road, get over to that game. We got
to hear your commentary on the radio. Mark, We salute you,
appreciate you, We love you. Always a pleasure, always a blessing,
talking ball with you. Thanks for the live report from
Adam on Diaman and talking ball with us today.
Speaker 3: Thanks so much.
Speaker 4: All right, my friend, we'll talk to you later.
Speaker 3: There you go. That's Mark Durant.
Speaker 2: That segment was brought to you by Dental Pros of
Utah Dentalprosovieutah dot com.
Speaker 3: If you've been told you need a filling, a.
Speaker 2: Ground, a rooking out, all I'm asking you to do
is give it a world. You'll get a second opinion.
At Dental Pros of Utah American Force. They utilize the
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wherever you go, Big Cougar on everyone that joined us.
We had a star studying cast and we can't do
our show without our fantastic crew. Shout out to Ronald
the three Man Weaver, obviously, Brett always bring the hammer,
Vic Ram, Andrew Peterson. It was awesome to catch up
with everybody we had, Jay Drew, Mark Durant obviously, Brandon Day,
Blaine Anderson, and of course shout out to Legend Glasker.
Speaker 3: Really good football player for Brigham a