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PROVO — This season’s first broadcast of the weekly “BYU Basketball with Dave Rose” radio show came Wednesday night, on the heels of a thriller in Logan the night before. After a slow start, the Cougars put up 60 points in the second half to defeat Utah State 91-81. Head coach Dave Rose says the victory was a testament to the personality and potential of the year’s team.
“Last night’s game and the feel of that group was as good as we’ve ever had,” Rose said. “I just think everybody was in it for each other to try to win it, and we had some really stellar performances from two or three guys, but a great team win. I like this group. I think this group really has potential to have a great season.”
Tuesday was the first time in almost 15 years that the Cougars were able to win at the Spectrum. Rose said he relied heavily on the veteran leadership of his upperclassmen, who put up 86 of BYU’s 91 points.
Senior guard Tyler Haws’ 35 points managed to tame the hostile crowd enough to allow the Cougars to take control in the second half.
“That’s one of the best feelings in basketball when you can quiet a crowd like that,” Haws said. “The Spectrum is one of the toughest places I’ve ever played in my whole life. It gets so loud and it feels like the fans are right on top of you so to come away with a win is pretty cool."
“They like cheering for their team, but they really like cheering against the other team, especially when it’s us,” Rose said. “So I think the returning guys, the veteran guys were able to stay in our game plan but still be able to perform at a high level, which is what it took.”
The Cougars are now 6-2 on the season and will need every bit of the momentum they gained in Logan as they head into a tough December schedule. BYU faces Utah, Stanford, UMass and Gonzaga in Provo over the next month, and Haws says the team is prepared to defend its turf.
“There’s lots of really good opportunities and big challenges coming up, but a lot of them are at home so we’re excited to get back in the Marriott Center,” Haws said.
This is the final season Cougar fans will be able to watch Haws in a BYU uniform. The senior guard is well on his way to becoming BYU’s all-time leading scorer, and Rose says his leadership on and off the floor is priceless.
“It’s the greatest thing as a coach to have your best player be your hardest worker,” Rose said. “Everyone else can see that work and it really rubs off. This team is as prepared for this season as any other team we’ve had in my 17 or 18 years at BYU. A lot of that is from the leadership of Ty.”
“I’m trying not to think too much about the end,” Haws said. “I’ve enjoyed my whole experience here at BYU and I’m trying to enjoy every single day and every single moment because I know that it will end, but I’m just so happy to be a part of such a great program and play for coach Rose and be around the guys that I’m around every single day.”
Sydney Carlson is a KSL sports radio intern. You can follow her on Twitter @sydneykayc
