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(Photo courtesy BYU Athletics/Jaren Wilkey)PROVO -- Just because the BYU basketball team's sophomore swingman Charles Abouo spent the off season away from school doesn't mean he wasn't learning. Abouo spent the summer traveling with the Ivory Coast national basketball team, and is ready to take the things he learned during that time and apply it to helping his team win.
"I was able to learn how to make good decisions under pressure," said Abouo of his summer endeavor. "I was able to play a lot of good minutes in some high pressure situations, and I felt like that's something that can really help me out when I come back to my team at BYU."
Although he hasn't had much of a break, Abouo is excited that the season is underway. "The (out of conference schedule) is a good chance for your team to develop," Abouo said. "It's a good chance for you to play against a lot of different teams and learn how to guard different players, different systems and different types of teams to get ready for conference play."
As Abouo and his teammates turn their attention toward their next opponent in Idaho State, Abouo said they know the game will be a tough challenge, just like the opener against Bradley.
In fact, Idaho State (0-2) played at Bradley Sunday night, losing by only five points after being put away with a clutch three pointer in the closing minutes of the game. The Bengals are led by Broderick Gilchrest, a junior averaging 20 points per game. Although they are winless on the season, they have played two solid opponents in Bradley and Iowa State.
"We know they're a good team," Abouo said. "We played them last year, and they had a good team with some good players, and they return a lot of those guys, and brought in some new guys who are really good players."
BYU (1-0) defeated the Bengals in their last meeting 85-65, but not before things got a little heated with ISU coach Joe O'Brien yelling over at BYU's bench. BYU coach Dave Rose said he expects a competitive game, but doesn't think there is going to be any kind of hostility between the two teams, specifically noting the respect he has for O'Brien.
The Cougars are 29-6 all time against the Bengals, and have won each of their meetings over the past three seasons. Tipoff is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Marriott Center in Provo.
