Brock Zylstra

[KillerDog]

This is the official Brock Zylstra thread. This kid has potential and has started to show it. I think he is going to be a contributor on this team now that it is clear K. Collinsworth will be playing PG for us instead of wing. We need back-ups as both wing spots. I expect Rogers and Zylstra to be the primary backups. Rogers will also back up the 4 a little (less than JT did last year) and may beat out Abuou. Jimmer and K. Collinsworth will see simultaneous court time with Jimmer at the 2 and Jacks catching a breather. I think we have the talent to play 4 reserves and they will be Rogers, C. Collinsworth, K. Collinsworth, and ZYLSTRA.

What can we expect to see from Zylstra at the 2 and 3 spots? He is physical, plays aggressively on offense (goes to the rim), solid athleticism, tends to get a bit out of control, decent but not impressive behind the arc, solid rebounder, and complete effort guy. I don't think he is substantially behind Abuou at this point.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

If Zylstra is to contribute I think he's got to embrace the role of solid perimeter defender. I think even in limited time it has been evident that he takes the court as an offensive-minded player who still thinks that is his best way to make an impression. But he doesn't really do anything well enough offensively to have that be the way he earns time.

He appears strong and athletic enough to get it done on defense, but he's got to make that mental shift. That to me represents why there is a substantial difference between Abouo and Zylstra. Abouo can fill a significant need for the team, while still giving us the same contribution Zylstra would make on offense.

It was only one practice but at the open practice he definitely made the most errors from what I could tell. He'd enter at the wrong time on drills, he'd forget to transition from defense to offense consistently, he'd lose a defensive assignment, and took some horrible shots in the few scrimmage opportunities they had. So maybe he just lacks proper focus to be a consistent rotation guy.

[jay santos]

This is the official Brock Zylstra thread. This kid has potential and has started to show it. I think he is going to be a contributor on this team now that it is clear K. Collinsworth will be playing PG for us instead of wing. We need back-ups as both wing spots. I expect Rogers and Zylstra to be the primary backups. Rogers will also back up the 4 a little (less than JT did last year) and may beat out Abuou. Jimmer and K. Collinsworth will see simultaneous court time with Jimmer at the 2 and Jacks catching a breather. I think we have the talent to play 4 reserves and they will be Rogers, C. Collinsworth, K. Collinsworth, and ZYLSTRA.

What can we expect to see from Zylstra at the 2 and 3 spots? He is physical, plays aggressively on offense (goes to the rim), solid athleticism, tends to get a bit out of control, decent but not impressive behind the arc, solid rebounder, and complete effort guy. I don't think he is substantially behind Abuou at this point.

I will be completely shocked if K Collins plays the point while Jimmer is on the floor and also if he is not the primary backup on the wing.

I don't see Zylstra playing much.

[KillerDog]

I will be completely shocked if K Collins plays the point while Jimmer is on the floor and also if he is not the primary backup on the wing.

I don't see Zylstra playing much.

I've heard Kyle is playing the #2 point reps right now. If he is our #2 point, I expect we will see Jax resting some with Jimmer on the court at the 2 spot. Rose used his back up pg that way last year and it worked well. I would be surprised if he doesn't do it again, especially considering Kyle's size and build.

[jay santos]

I've heard Kyle is playing the #2 point reps right now. If he is our #2 point, I expect we will see Jax resting some with Jimmer on the court at the 2 spot. Rose used his back up pg that way last year and it worked well. I would be surprised if he doesn't do it again, especially considering Kyle's size and build.

Well we did that because we had Morgan who deserved PT and could only play point. Only late in the season when Loyd had proven he could open up the game at point did they ever do it with him. I guess I'm very skeptical about KC's ability to play the point. I think he'll do it for 2 minutes a half after the 12 or 8 minute mark and that's about it. I still bet the majority of KC's minutes will be at the wing.

[KillerDog]

Well we did that because we had Morgan who deserved PT and could only play point. Only late in the season when Loyd had proven he could open up the game at point did they ever do it with him. I guess I'm very skeptical about KC's ability to play the point. I think he'll do it for 2 minutes a half after the 12 or 8 minute mark and that's about it. I still bet the majority of KC's minutes will be at the wing.

You may be right. I think Kyle's natural position is at the wing. I just know they are giving him lots of practice reps at point.

[Jacob]

There is no reason not to play Jimmer at the 2 for short spurts. Get him away from dribbling and set him up for catch-and-shoot jumpers off of screens.

there isn't much reason to concern yourself with which one is labeled the PG when both of them are on the floor. Jimmer is the point, but on some possessions, he doesn't have to bring the ball up the court. It's not a big deal. Just like when Loyd was in last year alongside Jimmer, it made sense for Loyd to be the one pushing the ball up the court on a lot of the possessions. You play to the players' strength and you don't need to worry about who is labeled what while they are on the floor together.

As for Zylstra...I hope KDog is right and he is able to contribute and not that he is forced to contribute because we have no depth.

[jay santos]

As for Zylstra...I hope KDog is right and he is able to contribute and not that he is forced to contribute because we have no depth.

I hope KDog is right about KC because it means he's a lot more skilled than I thought he was. If KC is a true possibility for a future point guard, then all we have to do is stop him from going on mission and we've got at least a few more years to ride on this wave.

[Jacob]

I hope KDog is right about KC because it means he's a lot more skilled than I thought he was. If KC is a true possibility for a future point guard, then all we have to do is stop him from going on mission and we've got at least a few more years to ride on this wave.

Pull your head out and look at the kids stats from high school! He is a point guard. 9 assists per game in one of the slowest offensive system around? Look no further for your point guard of the future. And who wouldn't want a 6-5 point guard?

[KillerDog]

Pull your head out and look at the kids stats from high school! He is a point guard. 9 assists per game in one of the slowest offensive system around? Look no further for your point guard of the future. And who wouldn't want a 6-5 point guard?

I think he has the skills to be a BYU PG. I don't think he could do it at a big time school. I like his ball handling in traffic and I like his vision and anticipation. He plays higher than I would like. He also isn't 6-5. I think he is about an inch taller than I am so that would put him 6-6 or 6-7. He could really play 1-3 and possibly 4 at the Y.

[jay santos]

I think he has the skills to be a BYU PG. I don't think he could do it at a big time school. I like his ball handling in traffic and I like his vision and anticipation. He plays higher than I would like. He also isn't 6-5. I think he is about an inch taller than I am so that would put him 6-6 or 6-7. He could really play 1-3 and possibly 4 at the Y.

This is the main issue. He'll have a very difficult time handling the ball and not picking it up to start the offense 40 feet from the basket. He'll also have a very hard time defending quick guards. I think his natural college position is the 3.

[KillerDog]

This is the main issue. He'll have a very difficult time handling the ball and not picking it up to start the offense 40 feet from the basket. He'll also have a very hard time defending quick guards. I think his natural college position is the 3.

You, me, and every major coach that offered him agree that his natural position at the D-1 level is the 3. That said, he does a good job handling the ball with either hand, going either direction, on either side of the floor. Based on the level of team BYU plays against, I don't think it is too much to consider him as a PG at BYU. I would prefer he play the 3 and Winder play the 1 but he is getting the PG #2 reps in practice and Winder is not. Frankly, although smaller, Winder has a higher dribble and works to his right too much in footage I've seen. I really hope he develops as a PG though because putting a talent like KC in the correct position could be a huge benefit to the team.

[Jacob]

This is the main issue. He'll have a very difficult time handling the ball and not picking it up to start the offense 40 feet from the basket. He'll also have a very hard time defending quick guards. I think his natural college position is the 3.

How much have you watched him play? Against college competition? I haven't, so obviously I can't say. But I get the feeling you are saying this just because he is taller than your average point guard. And I'll admit that I've always had a problem with just letting the shortest guy on the court be the point guard, so I'm biased toward giving a taller guy a shot, especially considering what I consider to be the many advantages of being tall and playing basketball.

You, me, and every major coach that offered him agree that his natural position at the D-1 level is the 3.

Link? Dave Rose doesn't qualify as a major coach? There is a reason he played PG in high school. It's because he's an awesome point guard. His coach, just like almost all coaches, is going to stick a guy his size closer to the post just because he is tall. It happened with Kyle's brother. He played center at Provo, but played the wing in AAU. But it didn't happen with Kyle. Because he's really good at the point.

Also, I'd be fine if Winder works out as a point, but he's got a lot to learn having not played the position. IMO, we should try to convert more of the slightly taller, more athletic types to PG. But it will take some time for them to learn how to run a team

[jay santos]

How much have you watched him play? Against college competition? I haven't, so obviously I can't say. But I get the feeling you are saying this just because he is taller than your average point guard. And I'll admit that I've always had a problem with just letting the shortest guy on the court be the point guard, so I'm biased toward giving a taller guy a shot, especially considering what I consider to be the many advantages of being tall and playing basketball.

I watched him play a couple games and honestly I didn't know he was considered a point guard. He wasn't the primary ball handler in the games I watched, nor is he in the clips you see on youtube. He was the primary play maker and the offense went through him. I agree with that. I saw him fail to shuffle with guards that wouldn't make a D1 roster.

IPU would say show me a 6'6 D1 LDS point guard on any D1 roster going back 30 years and if not I'll believe it when I see it. I'm not as backwards as IPU, but I still have a hard time with this one. The ability to control the ball with your dribble and the ability to slide with a quick defender gets more difficult with every inch. Add to this that we're talking about a white kid whose big brother looked more like Frankenstein than Speedy Gonzalez going up against D1 college basketball players.

I'm not down on KC. I think he will be a candidate for MWC FOY. I'm very excited to see him on the court. Just skeptical he is a legit point guard. Based on the practice rumors, though, I could be completely out to lunch.

[KillerDog]

Link? Dave Rose doesn't qualify as a major coach? There is a reason he played PG in high school. It's because he's an awesome point guard. His coach, just like almost all coaches, is going to stick a guy his size closer to the post just because he is tall. It happened with Kyle's brother. He played center at Provo, but played the wing in AAU. But it didn't happen with Kyle. Because he's really good at the point.

Also, I'd be fine if Winder works out as a point, but he's got a lot to learn having not played the position. IMO, we should try to convert more of the slightly taller, more athletic types to PG. But it will take some time for them to learn how to run a team

No, Rose is not a major coach and BYU is not a major program. I love Dave and think he could be a major coach if he went to a big time program but he has decided to stay in Provo. BYU's recruiting pool is limited. We are able to get high mid-major and low major prospects regularly. Occasionally, we get major prospects if they are LDS and interested. Garner Meads, KC and D. Harrison are examples of that. When we get those guys, they can usually play a number of positions on our team because we are not a major program. We usually put them where a need is rather than at their best position. KC's best position is wing and that is where he was put at the major camps. He plays too high to guard PGs at the majors and to handle the ball against PGs at the majors. Drury played him at every position at PHS (1-5) and he was effective at all because he is a high level player. That makes his skill set and his size all point to an ideal 3. Further, my understanding is that those major programs that offered him did so as a wing. BYU offered to let him try his hand at PG, which he wanted to do, and was able to get him partly because of that promise.

Below are some analysts concerning KC. Notice he is ranked as a SF or SG.

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75...=1&nid=3975432

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...e-collinsworth