BYU Vs Dixie State Red Storm

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

The kid for Dixie, Dalton Groskreutz was a missionary in my ward for about 6 months last winter. He would come play ball with us on Tuesday nights, I didn't watch any of the game but the fact that he was 4-6 shooting for 9 points tells me that either my stake center has a really great run with awesome ball players or BYU's defense isn't good.

Probably my stake center.

[Goatnapper'96]

The kid for Dixie, Dalton Groskreutz was a missionary in my ward for about 6 months last winter. He would come play ball with us on Tuesday nights, I didn't watch any of the game but the fact that he was 4-6 shooting for 9 points tells me that either my stake center has a really great run with awesome ball players or BYU's defense isn't good.

Probably my stake center.

BYU is not going to be real good defensively this year. In fact I think they will be average at best. The only decent defenders seem to be Collisnworth and Abwow. Only having one decent perimeter defender is a recipe for not so good things. Carlino, once he arrives, will be at least a year away. I am hopefull Demarcus can get there this year.

Saying all that, Dixie really shot absolutely out of their gords. They hit some shots I am convinced they will not regularly hit. If they are as good as they looked last Friday, they will win their D2 NC going away. They really were hitting obscenely.

Wasn't Dalton a semi-decenly recruited wide out IIRC? Isn't he out of St George and I think he took up football his senior year and by the end of it was looking like a decent big WR/TE prospect. Anyone else recall this? The name really sticks out.

[KillerDog]

A few things:

1.) You are still a pussy.

2.) Let me be the first to give you huge kudos wrt Brock Zylstra. He reminds me of an LDS classmate I had at West Point known affectionately as "Sweet Richie B." Sweet Richie B was a bit of a local hero who hailed from a corner in Winslow, AZ. Now that I have spent some time down memory lane, I am not sure I think BYU can be "good" with Brock Zylstra as a starter, but I think they can be a NCAA tourney team. I think they can be good with Brock as a backup. Regardless, you took a lot of crap about jumping on the BZyl train and it is time I gave you props for being the first to jump aboard - a year early but he is surely showing the skeelz you saw.

3.) I don't think this team can be good until the following three things happen:
1.) Carlino gets elgible and some experience. I am not sure I think that can happen this year.
2.) Harrison gets more experience and begins to be the type of player who can influence a game on both sides of the court. As you pointed out, BYU defense sucketh. Abouo can cover on the ball - however at present he is the only decent on the ball defender. The rest sucketh. I think that Carlino will be adequate with experience. I think Harrison can become a good defender. At his best I see Harrison as a kid who can defend like Jackson Emery, shoot the outside jumper like Emery but still take it hard to the hole like my favorite Cougar hunter of all time: Ron Jeremy. In essence I am thinking Harrison could basically be like Michael Jordan if Jordan had been a white mormon boy. All levity aside, I don't see BYU being a good team until Harrison is good. I think he could start reaching good next year and should be good his junior and senior. I believe Rose knows this and Demarcus is going to see a lot of minutes to develop this year.
3.) Chris Collinsworth finds himself athletically and gets explosive. Chris is not going to be the same racehorse he was as a wiry 215 lb freshman, but I think by next year if he can stay healthy he will regain much of his explosiveness. I see him being a serious glass cleaner as a junior and a senior. Once again, something I do not see totally developing this year.

To be honest I think we can see some serious signs of good play next year, perhaps a team good enough to win a NCAA tourney game. If Collinsworth regains his explosiveness, I salivate of him playing on the backside of an experienced Davies, coached by the greatest Holy Father of back to the basket coaches ever seen in Provo, wreaking havoc after teams are forced to double Davies and on the offensive boards. Especially if Demarcus develops an outside jumper, which I expect he will, playing on the perimeter alongside proven shooters Haws and Rogers. Carlino will be no slouch either. Next year has real potential. But I still maintain it will be the following year when the starting backcourt is the three juniors of Carlino, Harrison and Haws.

For this year I still think making the tourney will be a good year and I don't see this squad able to win a game. The will just lack the experience and quickness to defend and will be easily disrupted on offense by teams that can apply pressure. I expect they will play such a team in round 1. I am struggling to see BYU win a good game until the road matchups against St Mary's and Gonzaga - which I believe to be the 2nd half of WCC play. I just think BYU will be too young to beat Oregon, Baylor, Va Tech or Utah State. I think Wisconsin is going to pound us.

I was thinking a bit about this team last night. I agree with you that this team is probably a tournament team but probably not a team that can win a game. That said, I think our best chance of winning a tournament game is with the following kids:

Carlino -- I really like this kid. He can pass the ball at a high level and he is a lefty which means he'll give defenses more trouble than his athleticism and skills necessarily warrant. I believe defensively he can be a good zone defender and an OK man defender at the college level.

Harrison -- Length, talent, skills. I agree that Harrison can be our best defender. I think he needs to lift weights to get to the rim consistently at this level but he can shoot and has solid handles in traffic. He and Carlino could develop into an amazing back court next year or the year after and, I believe, could be adequate this year.

Abouo -- We need the defense he and Harrison can collectively bring because our perimeter defenders will need to protect our interior defenders. The only thing consistent about Abouo's offense is that it is consistently inconsistent. He rushes his shots in the game and hasn't learned to take it to the rack without adjustment. If someone could get through to him on the offensive end, we could see this team's upside improve dramatically but I doubt anyone can get through to him at this late stage.

Hartsock -- Solid defender, solid rebounder, solid jump shooter. Surprisingly good shot blocker and passer. Noah is never going to take over a game but he prevents people from monstering Davies and can do more things at a D-1 level than almost everyone else on this roster.

Davies -- Requires a double team. Should be a better defender with his length and feet than he is. He should be able to put pressure on opposing defenses and could be a difference maker. His foul shooting has supposedly improved as well.

Reserves:

Zylstra -- will see time at 1-3. Early season he will be our 1. Is now demonstrating why he scored so well in HS. He needs to find a happy place between out of control gunner and terrified reserve. I like him off the bench because of his versatility and offensive focus.

Rogers -- Will see time at 2-4. I like how he and Zylstra fit together as reserves. The maturity and instant offense should allow Rose to work with Carlino and Harrison to get them ready for the end of the season without costing us games. Rogers can guard but he won't. If he ever decides to defend and if Harrison becomes the defender he can be this year, I expect Rogers to take Abouo's starting spot.

CC -- I wish someone had taught this kid how to post up when he was younger. He could be amazing. Unfortunately he is more comfortable shooting ugly 3s than he is posting up. Still nice defensively and on the glass.

Generally, I'm with you Goat. I think this team is a tournament team with an outside chance to win a game depending on freshmen development. If either Carlino or Harrison develops we could win a tournament game.

[Goatnapper'96]

I was thinking a bit about this team last night. I agree with you that this team is probably a tournament team but probably not a team that can win a game. That said, I think our best chance of winning a tournament game is with the following kids:

Carlino -- I really like this kid. He can pass the ball at a high level and he is a lefty which means he'll give defenses more trouble than his athleticism and skills necessarily warrant. I believe defensively he can be a good zone defender and an OK man defender at the college level.

Harrison -- Length, talent, skills. I agree that Harrison can be our best defender. I think he needs to lift weights to get to the rim consistently at this level but he can shoot and has solid handles in traffic. He and Carlino could develop into an amazing back court next year or the year after and, I believe, could be adequate this year.

Abouo -- We need the defense he and Harrison can collectively bring because our perimeter defenders will need to protect our interior defenders. The only thing consistent about Abouo's offense is that it is consistently inconsistent. He rushes his shots in the game and hasn't learned to take it to the rack without adjustment. If someone could get through to him on the offensive end, we could see this team's upside improve dramatically but I doubt anyone can get through to him at this late stage.

Hartsock -- Solid defender, solid rebounder, solid jump shooter. Surprisingly good shot blocker and passer. Noah is never going to take over a game but he prevents people from monstering Davies and can do more things at a D-1 level than almost everyone else on this roster.

Davies -- Requires a double team. Should be a better defender with his length and feet than he is. He should be able to put pressure on opposing defenses and could be a difference maker. His foul shooting has supposedly improved as well.

Reserves:

Zylstra -- will see time at 1-3. Early season he will be our 1. Is now demonstrating why he scored so well in HS. He needs to find a happy place between out of control gunner and terrified reserve. I like him off the bench because of his versatility and offensive focus.

Rogers -- Will see time at 2-4. I like how he and Zylstra fit together as reserves. The maturity and instant offense should allow Rose to work with Carlino and Harrison to get them ready for the end of the season without costing us games. Rogers can guard but he won't. If he ever decides to defend and if Harrison becomes the defender he can be this year, I expect Rogers to take Abouo's starting spot.

CC -- I wish someone had taught this kid how to post up when he was younger. He could be amazing. Unfortunately he is more comfortable shooting ugly 3s than he is posting up. Still nice defensively and on the glass.

Generally, I'm with you Goat. I think this team is a tournament team with an outside chance to win a game depending on freshmen development. If either Carlino or Harrison develops we could win a tournament game.

I was surprised he started Harrison but I think he is going to force Harrison to develop by playing him and asking him to step up on the defensive end. The kid has a ways to go, but I really think he has the God given ability to really defend on this level if he puts his mind to it. I think that is what Rose is asking him to do this year which is to be become his go to defender on the perimeter. Demarcus will not be asked to carry much on the offensive end until next year. This year Abwow and Rogers will get that torch, but I am not real confident Abwow has the consistency. It will be a fun year but in my world BYU is clearly at least a year away from good and likely two years away from having a chance to make any national splashes. In some ways I wish Davies redshirted this year. Perhaps Austin will be a decent post presence in two years? I thought the kid would play this year but I don't think he saw the court last Friday so I wonder if they are going to redshirt him and Ian Austin and just play Collinsworth and Sharp off the bench at the 4 and 5 and then use Rogers or Abwow as emergency 4's if injuries or fouls neccesitate it.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

I tend to expect a very significant improvement in our team defense as the season goes along. Part of the reason the defense looked so inadequate on Friday was because the coaches were switching back and forth between zone and man defenses constantly. Rose said that is why he wasn't able to get Austin and Harward in game because they would have just gotten lost on defense.

But the coaches like Sharp's versatility on defense. He's still new to what his assignments are in this system, and he's still very fresh to game play again. Collinsworth is out of shape and likely not trusting his knee fully yet. How far will he get this season? I don't know, but he'll be better than he is right now, and he'll solidify the post defense and defensive glass quite a bit. Brock has been horrid on defense in his very limited minutes in the past. I'm not expecting much more this year because he's proven to be a mental midget on defense, but it doesn't hurt to have another guy that is 6'6" and willing to rebound on the court. Harrison has the tools, LaComb has talked about his ability to cause deflections and crowd passing lanes. His defense within a team structure instead of playing out on an island should come because he's going to see minutes.

Rose said that too many guys were worrying solely about their man on defense, and were trying to make a stellar defensive stop themselves instead of trusting their teammates around them and the system to work. The staff will get that corrected over time, especially as guys like Sharp and Collinsworth get accustomed to game speed again. Whether they can get Rogers to buy in and Zylstra to keep his head in the game on that end of the court...those are the real tests for the staff.

[KillerDog]

I tend to expect a very significant improvement in our team defense as the season goes along. Part of the reason the defense looked so inadequate on Friday was because the coaches were switching back and forth between zone and man defenses constantly. Rose said that is why he wasn't able to get Austin and Harward in game because they would have just gotten lost on defense.

But the coaches like Sharp's versatility on defense. He's still new to what his assignments are in this system, and he's still very fresh to game play again. Collinsworth is out of shape and likely not trusting his knee fully yet. How far will he get this season? I don't know, but he'll be better than he is right now, and he'll solidify the post defense and defensive glass quite a bit. Brock has been horrid on defense in his very limited minutes in the past. I'm not expecting much more this year because he's proven to be a mental midget on defense, but it doesn't hurt to have another guy that is 6'6" and willing to rebound on the court. Harrison has the tools, LaComb has talked about his ability to cause deflections and crowd passing lanes. His defense within a team structure instead of playing out on an island should come because he's going to see minutes.

Rose said that too many guys were worrying solely about their man on defense, and were trying to make a stellar defensive stop themselves instead of trusting their teammates around them and the system to work. The staff will get that corrected over time, especially as guys like Sharp and Collinsworth get accustomed to game speed again. Whether they can get Rogers to buy in and Zylstra to keep his head in the game on that end of the court...those are the real tests for the staff.

Really great points especially wrt Sharp. I'm surprised by how long he is and how athletic he looked. I wasn't expecting anything from him. Also great points regarding team defense. The man D we play is very much a man with zone principles and good defenders in the system can look bad when bad or confused defenders are around them.

Well taken point regarding Brock's D. I have no idea what he's doing sometimes and I suspect he has no idea as well.

One other thing I'm most excited about is the amount of athletic length we currently have on the roster. Guys like Davies, Rogers, Sharp, Hartsock, Collinsworth, and to some extent Austin can all run, step outside, and have good size. I really like the potential of this team if it can gel and have people understand their roles.

[Dean]

Dixie-BYU LP Players Pic

Well, the Dixie St.-BYU Game turned out better than I thought it would (For Dixie).

This was a chance in a lifetime for the Dixie kids to play against BYU in the Marriott center. This was just a prep game for BYU. Big difference in motivation.

I really believe BYU will be a top 20 team this year. They are talented and have a great coaching staff. Don't let this exhibition game fool you.

I predict BYU by 8 at Utah State.

Utah State fans will be nasty to Davies... I hope he keeps his focus and turns it into aggression on the court. Go BYU for the rest of the year.

p.s. I don't know if it will work, but I'm trying to attach a file that Marty took of the 4 LP kids who were part of the game. Can't wait for Tyler to get back!

[Flystripper]

Well, the Dixie St.-BYU Game turned out better than I thought it would (For Dixie).

This was a chance in a lifetime for the Dixie kids to play against BYU in the Marriott center. This was just a prep game for BYU. Big difference in motivation.

I really believe BYU will be a top 20 team this year. They are talented and have a great coaching staff. Don't let this exhibition game fool you.

I predict BYU by 8 at Utah State.

Utah State fans will be nasty to Davies... I hope he keeps his focus and turns it into aggression on the court. Go BYU for the rest of the year.

p.s. I don't know if it will work, but I'm trying to attach a file that Marty took of the 4 LP kids who were part of the game. Can't wait for Tyler to get back!

I don't think BYU wins in Logan. USU is in transition this year, but they have one of the best homecourt advantages in the West

[Donuthole]

Well, the Dixie St.-BYU Game turned out better than I thought it would (For Dixie).

This was a chance in a lifetime for the Dixie kids to play against BYU in the Marriott center. This was just a prep game for BYU. Big difference in motivation.

I really believe BYU will be a top 20 team this year. They are talented and have a great coaching staff. Don't let this exhibition game fool you.

I predict BYU by 8 at Utah State.

Utah State fans will be nasty to Davies... I hope he keeps his focus and turns it into aggression on the court. Go BYU for the rest of the year.

p.s. I don't know if it will work, but I'm trying to attach a file that Marty took of the 4 LP kids who were part of the game. Can't wait for Tyler to get back!

Cool pic. Thanks for posting. I think most of us were impressed with how well Dixie played, even if the consensus is that they played out of their minds for most of the game.

Dixie has a lot to be proud of, IMO.

[Dean]

Cool pic. Thanks for posting. I think most of us were impressed with how well Dixie played, even if the consensus is that they played out of their minds for most of the game.

Dixie has a lot to be proud of, IMO.

Donuthole,

Thanks for your kind words.

Dixie goes to another tough situation this Friday. They play Seattle Pacific who beat Arizona last week and is ranked #2 in DII. This is Dixie's first real game.

Good Luck BYU!