Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — Coming off a win versus Hawaii in Salt Lake City, the BYU Cougars return to the hardwood of the Marriott Center looking for a big win over their nationally ranked rivals the Utah Runnin’ Utes.
BYU head coach Dave Rose is yet to lose a home game to the Utes as the head coach but is aware of the challenges that this particular team brings to his Cougars.
“We look at it as a real opportunity. It’s very difficult to schedule a nationally ranked team that will come to the Marriott Center, so that’s a good opportunity and the fact that it’s an in-state rival makes the game even more exciting for fans,” said Rose.
Utah presents a tough matchup for the Cougars due to what Rose says is its depth and the ability to play solid, shut-down defense. Rose said he expects Utah to force tough possessions like it did last week versus Wichita State but feels there are things his team can do to counter the tough Utah defense.
“I think there’re some things we do naturally as a program that can cause them some problems,” he said. “If we can rebound the ball on both ends of the floor, I think it’s going to be a real competitive game.”
Rose pointed out Utah players Delon Wright, Dakarai Tucker and Brandon Taylor as players the Cougars will have to constantly be worried about and also praised the Utes' big man Jakob Poeltl for his play around the rim.
“When he rolls to the basket he can become a real issue because he can catch balls thrown anywhere to grab those things and finish at the rim,” Rose explained.
Rose says the preparation has gone into dealing with what the Utes present, and he’s been pleased with the way the few practice sessions centered on Utah have gone leading into Wednesday night’s game.
When asked about preparation that goes into a rivalry game like this, Rose explained it’s slightly different for the coaching staff but more of a change for the players on both sides of all three in-state matchups.
“I think the preparation routine is very similar but actual content of the preparation is a little bit different,” said Rose. “The way it’s accepted by the team is way different too. There’s a real sense of urgency.”
To help with that urgency, Rose will lean heavily on Anson Winder.
Winder has provided a spark off the bench this season in BYU’s sixth man role, which Rose said Anson has fit into nicely this season.
“It’s great to have a guy that you know you can count on to come in and change the game, and Anson can do it in so many ways,” Rose said.
Rose pointed to multiple times Winder has come into a game and got a steal or a big bucket right away that has changed the momentum of the game. Rose credited Winder for his ability to give the offense a real push but said it’s Winder’s defense that makes the biggest impact — something that often goes unnoticed.
The senior guard from Las Vegas feels this is the most exited he’s been to play Utah and credits that to this being his last time to take on the Utes.
“The fact that it’s my senior year, this is the most excited I’ve been to play Utah,” he said. “We let one slip last year, and the two years before that we won both games so I’d rather leave my career going 3-1 against Utah than 2-2.”
Winder and Rose are both anticipating a raucous crowd Wednesday night at the sold-out Marriott Center, something both appreciate and recognize the power the crowd can create and often the lift it gives their team.
“Through the years I’ve been in crowds where they’re like a sixth man and you can really feed off the energy they bring,” said Winder.
