Helloooooooo Nate Austin!

[Katy Lied]

I remember counting Brandon Davies' fouls last year and holding my breath that he doesn't foul out. What a luxury to have a backup for Davies when he gets into foul trouble.

I dont know much, but got this from [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvornEtiKVk"]Nate Austin-BYU Basketball - YouTube[/nomedia]:

1. He heard a lot about Jimmer and the basketball team last year on his mission. He even caught a game at South Padre Island.

2. Every starter on his high school team went D1--most of them to BYU.

3. He is closest to Ian Harward since they both got off their missions at the same time, and worked their way into game shape together. He gained 30 lbs on his mission, but then converted 15 of that to muscle since he was on his bike.

4. He seems to be a former stutterer, it seems like he diverts when talking. Just guessing.

5. He seriously wants to challenge Brandon as the best big on the team. Guy is quietly very competitive.

Post your Nate Austin intel here. I know some of you have some info on Austin fit for public consumption. Went back and read some of Goatnapper's prognostications on Austin a while back, and he seems spot on.

[TripletDaddy]

My only legit Nate Austin intel: I was very impressed with him yesterday. And am really excited to see if he can bring consistency this season. He seems to have some great potential.

[cougjunkie]

I remember counting Brandon Davies' fouls last year and holding my breath that he doesn't foul out. What a luxury to have a backup for Davies when he gets into foul trouble.

I dont know much, but got this from Nate Austin-BYU Basketball - YouTube:

1. He heard a lot about Jimmer and the basketball team last year on his mission. He even caught a game at South Padre Island.

2. Every starter on his high school team went D1--most of them to BYU.

3. He is closest to Ian Harward since they both got off their missions at the same time, and worked their way into game shape together. He gained 30 lbs on his mission, but then converted 15 of that to muscle since he was on his bike.

4. He seems to be a former stutterer, it seems like he diverts when talking. Just guessing.

5. He seriously wants to challenge Brandon as the best big on the team. Guy is quietly very competitive.

Post your Nate Austin intel here. I know some of you have some info on Austin fit for public consumption. Went back and read some of Goatnapper's prognostications on Austin a while back, and he seems spot on.

Nate Austin did not start at LP. The team with Haws, Hamilton, Funk, Payne and Sharp. Nate Austin was actually the first guy off the bench. That is how deep that team was.

[Jennerstein]

Please remember all these positive sentiments when Austin hits the RM brick wall late Jan, early Feb.

[Dean]

Nate Austin did not start at LP. The team with Haws, Hamilton, Funk, Payne and Sharp. Nate Austin was actually the first guy off the bench. That is how deep that team was.

Nate was a Junior that year. He did start as a Sr. when Nate and Haws were Seniors together. West Jordan beat LP in the state finals that year. I hate the e-Center! LP always does well at Weber.

Nate certainly could have started as a Junior. That would have been:

Tyler Haws - 6'5" point guard
Josh Sharp - 6'8" wing
Bracken Funk 6'8" wing
Nate Austin 6'11" forward
Justin Hamilton 7'0" Center

But then my boy Kimball wouldn't have got to play as a Senior!

Nate works very hard in practice and in games. Has a great feel for the game. He is a good shooter.

We are really happy for Nate and BYU.

[myboynoah]

Nate was a Junior that year. He did start as a Sr. when Nate and Haws were Seniors together. West Jordan beat LP in the state finals that year. I hate the e-Center! LP always does well at Weber.

Nate certainly could have started as a Junior. That would have been:

Tyler Haws - 6'5" point guard
Josh Sharp - 6'8" wing
Bracken Funk 6'8" wing
Nate Austin 6'11" forward
Justin Hamilton 7'0" Center

But then my boy Kimball wouldn't have got to play as a Senior!

Nate works very hard in practice and in games. Has a great feel for the game. He is a good shooter.

We are really happy for Nate and BYU.

[Dean]

myboynoah[/B];728237]

I see said the blind man!

[Green Monstah]

I realize that he's played well against two poor Big Sky teams, but is Nate Austin a viable replacement for Davies as the starter?

Also, why didn't Austin get significant minutes against Wisconsin?

[Dean]

I realize that he's played well against two poor Big Sky teams, but is Nate Austin a viable replacement for Davies as the starter?

Also, why didn't Austin get significant minutes against Wisconsin?

Nate played well against a top half PAC 12 team also.

[Pelado]

I realize that he's played well against two poor Big Sky teams, but is Nate Austin a viable replacement for Davies as the starter?

Also, why didn't Austin get significant minutes against Wisconsin?

Good point, since Brandon did not play particularly well against Wisconsin's bigs.

I don't really remember seeing much out of Austin until this recent three-game stretch starting after the Wisconsin game - even though he had gotten some minutes here and there in prior games. Maybe he just hadn't quite earned Rose's trust yet to warrant more minutes.

[KillerDog]

Nate was essentially a wing player until Pope started working with him. His development has been very fast but the reason he hasn't played earlier is that he wasn't confident defensively or offensively as a pure post player and therefore the coaches were not confident in him for the same. His learning curve has been very fast and he's now developed into a viable option to give us minutes at the 5 and at the 4. I hope that by the end of the year he will have continued to develop as a post player and will be ready to spell Davies and/or Hartsock against anyone.

[SoCalCoug]

So is it looking like the addition of Mark Pope offsets the loss of Dave Rice? I only watched the second half last night, but I though Nate Austin was impressive - especially since my expectations for him were that he would be a tall body who might play some defense.

[Flystripper]

Good point, since Brandon did not play particularly well against Wisconsin's bigs.

I don't really remember seeing much out of Austin until this recent three-game stretch starting after the Wisconsin game - even though he had gotten some minutes here and there in prior games. Maybe he just hadn't quite earned Rose's trust yet to warrant more minutes.

Rose does not usually make knee jerk reactions. This is why it took a few games to move Zylstra away from pg duties. It is probably also why it took a little bit for a freshman to earn some more PT. That and CC getting shelfed again. This is good policy as it allows the team to develop and grow without constant shuffling.

[Coach McGuirk]

Rose does not usually make knee jerk reactions. This is why it took a few games to move Zylstra away from pg duties. It is probably also why it took a little bit for a freshman to earn some more PT. That and CC getting shelfed again. This is good policy as it allows the team to develop and grow without constant shuffling.

It is also why Carlino will be eased into the lineup and anyone with concerns over the cohesiveness with Carlino in the mix, should not have any concern.

[Dean]

So is it looking like the addition of Mark Pope offsets the loss of Dave Rice? I only watched the second half last night, but I though Nate Austin was impressive - especially since my expectations for him were that he would be a tall body who might play some defense.

Mark Pope is a great addition to work with the 4s and 5s.

I think Nate and other bigs are and will show improvement over the years to Coach Pope's instruction.

Trent P. could have used that type of help, but I'm not so sure about Chris M. I'm sure other coaches know proper technique and drills, but there is nothing like having that hands on post position experience.

Recruiting players with that raw ability AND court sense with capable coaching is a successful combination.