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HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — With two players not missing a shot in the second half, Brigham Young University played like champs against Nevada and now is hoping for the official title against Wisconsin in the championship game on Saturday.
Though the Cougars’ win against Nevada was their fourth consecutive 20-point win, it is their first away win of the season after a home opener loss against Utah State University. Head coach Dave Rose feels good about the way the team has progressed since its one loss of the season.
“I was really pleased with how guys played,” Rose said. “I thought that we attacked for 40 minutes. … That’s a good win. Trying to get your first win out of your building every year is always a real challenge, so I am really proud of our guys.”
With two BYU players, Charles Abouo and Noah Hartsock, both tying career high records in Friday’s game, the Cougars could serve as a serious threat for opponents deeper in the season.
Abouo was the leading scorer with 22 points and tied his career high with four three-pointers; Hartsock also tied his career high with 21 points.
Freshman Anson Winder — along with Brock Zylstra, Charles Abouo, Noah Hartsock and Brandon Davies — was part of coach Rose’s third different starting lineup this season.
Rose feels that his point-guard cubs, Anson Winder and Craig Cusick, will not only slice deep but wide as well.
"I really like the way (Anson) plays on attack,” Rose said. “Craig Cusick does a really good job of getting us in the offense. Anson is probably a little more aggressive with the ball. With the two of them, I think we can really build on this and we can become an aggressive, attacking team like we want to be," he said.
“You get a few guys that are inexperienced and … if your team makes a mistake … immediately you want to slow down and be conservative,” Rose said. “I really felt like we had a couple guys really bail us out. Noah did a great job and Charles ... That can help other guys relax.”
With a championship title of the Chicago Invitational Challenge on the line, the Cougars will need to be clearly pointed by Winder and Cusick and have strong shooters such as Hartsock and Abouo to come out victories over Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s ability to hear the war cry from the first whistle of its home opener is evidenced in their 5-0 record.
Guards Josh Gasser, Jordan Taylor and Ryan Evans all put up 15 points for the Badgers in their last game against Bradley. In addition to Wisconsin mirroring BYU with three double digits shooters in its semi-final game, Wisconsin’s defense also serves as strong warning sign for BYU. Wisconsin scored 18 points off of turnovers alone.
With comparable leading scorers, rebounders, stealers and higher assists, Wisconsin will be offering BYU a game for champions.
