BYU basketball holds first practice, team begins to take shape


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PROVO — “Hectic.”

That is the one word BYU men’s head basketball coach Dave Rose used to describe the first practice of the season. BYU plays fast, that is how the Cougars like to score and that is how they like to practice. With a roster of 18, including many newcomers, the pace made for a little bit of crazy.

“A lot of things to improve on and get better at and to put in, but for the first day I was really pleased with the pace and the attitude of the players.” Rose said.

Shooting seemed to be poor during the session, and scoring seemed secondary in the midst of speed and chaos. A point of emphasis during a very physical practice and a point reiterated by Rose and all of the players was defense.

“The biggest thing on our players' mindset was defensive," Rose said. "I think there was a real urgency about our defense and to where we are.”

The two-hour practice included sprinting, double teaming drills and half-court scrimmages where a group had to score to stay on the court and received a point each time it successfully stopped the next group.

Newly minted captain Kyle Collinsworth is still healing but is determined to take personal responsibility for leading a strong defensive approach.

“When things go wrong on defense I try to put it on myself,” Collinsworth said. “I’m just trying to step up in that area, ’cause if we want to win big games and conference championships, make it deep in the tournament, that’s one area we have to change.”

In regards to Collinsworth’s health, he participated in half-court drills but not full court. He spent much of practice on a stationary bike, which he says he likes to ride for about 10 miles after practice on doctor’s recommendation. He also says he feels like he can do more but is willing to take it slow. Rose admitted he still cringes when Collinsworth comes down from grabbing a rebound.

***

Along with Collinsworth, Tyler Haws and Chase Fischer were named captains. Haws came into the season lighter and says he worked on his defense and 3-point shooting during the offseason. Haws also felt the change in the makeup of the team. At the end of last season, BYU only had nine men active. This year he said there are so many new guys that are hungry and want minutes on the floor. But of his last season, Haws said he just wants to win.

You may not have heard of the third captain, Chase Fischer. He is a transfer from Wake Forest and sat out last season. This was the first real team practice for Fischer, though he has been with the team for a year. It may seem odd to be named a captain before playing, but Haws and Fischer offered explanations.

“When Kyle talks, people listen, when Chase talks … Chase never stops talking,” Haws said.

“I like to talk a lot; I’m very personable, I like to talk to all the guys. I feel honored to do that, I think that’s kind of my personality just being a leader,” Fischer said.

At Wake Forest, Fischer played heavy minutes his freshman year and was a captain his sophomore year before seeing his time on the court diminish. Rose is excited about Fischer and what he brings to the team on and off the court.

“What I like about Chase is he fits in with everyone,” Rose said. “He’s the kind of guy who has a relationship with every player on the team."

Rose emphasized that Fischer has been a redshirt, a captain, a high school All-American and has been through rough times. He can relate to a lot of guys. He will also help fill in some of the scoring lost with the departure of Matt Carlino. Fischer is also well known for his 3-point shots. (For more information about Fischer, check out the Cougar Tracks article on his transfer).

Fischer said he liked the energy and pace Monday. He referred to a quote the team has on a board that says “It’s bigger than you.” He compared the team to the San Antonio Spurs and said he wants competitive team play.

***

Rose says he expects to have narrowed down potential starters to 10 to 12 players within a couple weeks. The question then becomes who sits or who may redshirt. The team has veterans, role players and wild cards. Very few things on the squad are a sure thing.

One man who sticks out because of his personality, size and style of play is Corbin Kaufusi. He is the brother of BYU football player Bronson Kaufusi, and he was supposed to be a football player as well. He opted for basketball after he grew taller while serving an LDS mission. Kaufusi clearly has talent and moves well for a big man. He floats between a natural pick-up style and a rigid over-thought style. He is looking for a balance of technical ability and athletic ability as he learns the game and said he is anxious to learn and work.

“I’ve got to play the game the coaches want me to play but at the same time keep my own aspects of the game,” Kaufusi said. “I think that’s what the beginning of the season is doing, allowing me to figure out what the balance is.”

Asked if he has had a big man emerge as a mentor for him, Kaufusi said senior Nate Austin has been a big help and everybody on the team looks to him as a leader. He also said he is not focusing on anything in particular but looking to get better every day.

His struggles Mondy were more prevalent on defense as he tried to find where he was supposed to be and how to defend. On offense, his scrimmage play came more natural. He did not shoot free throws well until the scrimmage. But Rose has been very optimistic about Kaufusi’s play.

“He had a real impact and that’s the part of Corbin that intrigues everyone is that he gets big rebounds, makes big baskets, made a couple of big free throws in our scrimmage today, which are all things that’ll just help his confidence,” Rose said.

BYU will have its Cougar tipoff game on Oct. 29, followed by a few exhibition games. Regular season play starts with the Maui Invitational on Nov. 18. There is a lot of talent, but it will likely be November before the team really shows what it is made of. Mitchell is a KSL Sports Radio intern and broadcast journalism student at Brigham Young University, where he anchors and produces sports. Find him @mitchellive on twitter.

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Mitchell Marshall

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