The Cougars have taken full advantage of the college basketball rules that allow a student-athlete to go on a Church mission at any time during their enrollment in school and never lose their remaining eligibility.  How does this help the Cougars?  Well, they usually bring in these 18 year old kids and let them get their feet wet for a year (or two) and then send them to Botswana or Chile looking for potential Mormon recruits for a two year commitment.  They then come back and are allowed to play.  Most of these kids have gone from being boys to men (End of the road anyone) and are much more developed physically than their competitors.  Think of it. Do you remember how much you matured from the ages of 18 to 21 and we are not just talking physically.  The Cougars are famous for having some physically dominant front lines of what they call ‘Big Boned’ farm boys who look like they could carry the tractors on their back instead of driving the darn things.  Long-time coach Stan Watts has helped this program develop into one of the powers of the Rocky Mountain Region and they have become a national player with their never-ending stream of talented big men who are not afraid to mix it up with anyone.  There are high expectations in Provo this season and we are not just talking about the great skiing that is in store for this winter at Park City. 

One player who will not be leaving the country any time in the near future is sophomore guard Danny Ainge.  For this North Eugene High School legend (he is the only athlete EVER to be named first team in football, baseball and basketball) it was a foregone conclusion that he would be coming to BYU but he did have one caveat; that he be able to play baseball on the side during the summers and forego his commitment to serve a mission.  The Cougars were glad to accommodate this once in a lifetime athlete and he had a great first season for the Cougs. He has already been drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays and he showed how good he was in that sport by making it to the ‘Big Show’ is his first year of pro ball.  But this non-stop personality will be ready once again for the bell as soon as the basketball season begins. Ainge had an outstanding first season in Provo.  A truly charismatic player with a desire to win that is unmatched in the game of basketball and possible all sports for that matter, Ainge is the type of player you either love or hate. One thing is for sure you will know he was playing especially if you are on the other team (or one of their fans where he might be the most harassed player on the planet which actually seems to motivate him).  A six four wonder who plays with endless enthusiasm and seems to either think he is or might actually be the smartest guy on the court at all times.  Ainge is a great shooter who can also use superb ball handling skills and quickness to get to the hoop.  He would rather pull up for two and does have three-point range but has to take a large part of the ballhandling skills on this team which of course he did with zeal.  He is (in)famous for slashing through defenses on full court drives for two but he can also just as easy kick it to a teammate for an open look. Ainge easily could have averaged 20 points a game but he took it back a notch still leading the team at almost 16 a game as well averaging over four and a half assists a game.  Defense is not his big this thing but he will not back down from anyone and loves getting into an opponent’s space, grill as well as their head usually in that order.  He is not necessarily quick but his tenacity makes him a solid defender.  Ainge is Mr. Everything to BYU basketball and might be the most irreplaceable player in the country. If that moniker doesn’t work for you then he is definitely the most despised! This kid is so good that he at times gets himself in trouble in huddles (and on the court) for second guessing Watts play calls but when you are this good you are forgiven.  After all it does seem like Ainge not only runs the team on the court but drives the bus on the road, sells the popcorn during halftime and if you would let him he would probably take over control of the program in the front office.  Of course. one man no matter how good can do it alone and this was a problem for the Cougars even with their seeming neve ending rotation of post players to load up the paint.  Coach Watts plan to stick with the ‘safe trek’ and go with seniority and experience next to his heralded superstar. But whoever plays next to him, no matter how good, will live in the shadow of the kid from Eugene.    

Teaming up with Ainge in the backcourt this season will either be one of two seniors Dick Nemelka or Roland ‘the Big Cat’ Minson.  Nemelka is a solid player who had bided his time behind upperclassmen and like all good little Cougars did not say a word last year when the freshmen Ainge passed him up on the depth chart and took over the starting role next to the legendary Elwood Romney (who by the way is an ancestor of George and thus Mitt Romney).  Nemelka became the solid third guard off the bench and had a good year with his solid all-around game.  This year it should be finally his turn. A good shooter with range who can also handle the ball, Nemelka will be a good complement to Ainge. Minson has had a legendary career in Provo playing the small forward spot.  Last year he just could not keep up with the more athletic players on the wings. He gracefully took a spot on the bench. The high scoring Idaho Falls High native was once a scoring machine with his ability to run the court and finish with flair.  At only six feet tall Minson’s glory days are behind him (he was once MVP of the NIT when he averaged over 20 points a game) but the Cat is not giving up without a fight.  He is going to try and transition to the two guard.  We shall see how that goes but Minson is just the type of guy to overcome the odds and survive.  He does have nine lives after all.  Another Senior Jeffrey Congdon is back behind Ainge and Nemelka and the only true point guard in the rotation. The Senior does not expect to play much especially if Minson pans out or if any of the new recruits are near the phenom Ainge was last year in Provo. That is too bad because Congdon is a terrific point guard who can really distribute the ball and has a bit of a showman in him.  Things could change and this could be his team but if not he will still be reliable when called upon.  Two Dougs are also in the mix but mainly for depth in the back court.  Senior Doug Howard and junior Doug Richards have not played much so far in their Provo career but that could change and they like Congden will be ready if called upon. 

One of the reasons the Cougars is picked so high in the WAC was the all senior front line studs.  The front line of Minson and Mel Hutchins and center John Fairchild went into last year as the incumbents but that changed quick.  It was not to be as the trio did not live up to expectations and basically lost their starting roles before the season even began.  A trip overseas (China) before the season where the Cougars got a chance to play many games and see many different lineups (and recruit many potential Mormons) showed Coach Watts he needed to infuse his lineup with younger more athletic talent.  Especially to play he type of up and down style they were playing now on the international level.  Fairchild and Hutchins were overmatched by bigger physical players though Hutchins still showed the kind of toughness under the boards he is known for.  Hutchins is only six foot six but man is he a terrific rebounder. He came from California and plays with a chip on his shoulder that motivates him to play much better than he seems to.  He is one of smoothest defenders you will ever mind and always was in the right place and could easily handle guys much bigger than he was.  Hutchins is as unselfish as it gets and often passed up his own shot to hit an open teammate.  He does not put up big scoring numbers but Watts has always loved his desire to mix it up and guard people and will keep him in the starting lineup. Even with his lack of height this kid has the kind of motor that will transcend size and strength. Fairchild became a solid bench player primarily playing the four as Watts went with more size at center.  This California kid (from Encinitas) is a terrific scorer on the block and has a chance at making the next level with his work ethic and understanding of the game. At six eight 205 he needs to put on some weight if he is going to bang down low with the Pros.  Craig Raymond also got a shot to play in the post and at six eleven and 235 is definitely big enough for the wars of the WAC (sounds like a new wave French Movie).  ‘Stretch’ comes from the home of grunge Music (Aberdeen Washington) and is a solid board guy with a developing low post game that at certain points has been quite formidable.  He like his fellow seniors did not play as much this year as they had in the past as the old ‘shuttle’ method of bringing in fresh horses up front constantly was given up in favor of playing the younger studs.  He, like his teammates, has a shot at the next level as big men who can score and board and especially defend which Raymond can do are always in demand to eat some playing time off the bench and eat up some space in the paint.  Another senior big man did have a productive season underneath even if it was in a limited role was Jim Eakins.  Another Cali kid (Sacramento) Eakins showed the ability to play and being a little bigger than his compatriots (six eleven) could match up against the bigger athletes of the WAC though he was awful thin at 215.  Eakins got caught up in the minutia that is BYU basketball and though he can score and board he did not play near as much as he probably should have for his entire time in Provo. His role was always inconsistent as there were other guys who are just as big (and way bigger) and had much more talent than his hard working journeyman.  He will figure out a way to help this team this year whether it is five minutes a game or starting as he is a winner everywhere he has played. The best thing about all of these Cougs playing at the next level besides their size is they have all learned to take limited rules and do their job.  Heck you could even say they have flourished in these roles and with their backgrounds and coachability, good teams will want to keep them on the roster.  And of course the lack of the drama.  They might not be the most talented group in the country but they are consistent, don’t stir up trouble and this year want to get those WAC rings and will do what it takes to accomplish this. 

The one big man that showed the ability to match up with the more athletic guys on a consistent basis is Junior Kresemir Cosic.  This European wonder was actually picked up on one of the trips this program makes during the off season as they use these to show their skills and spread their gospel.  He has been here for a few years now and has become quite the crowd favorite as he has a game that marvels the fans.  Watts had used Cosic off the bench two years ago though he did get more than his share of time. He was not going to waste this kid’s talent coming off the bench for another season and became the starter two games in last year. Cosic is a gifted player who has all of the skills that the new athletes must have.  Cosic started most of the year at center and showed that even at six eleven he can do just about anything on the court.  The post position is no longer just a big man posting up down low and waiting for the ball and using his size and strength to score and grab rebounds.  Oh he can do all of that but he is so much more!  Cosic has guard like skills in the body of a monster.  He can dribble, pass, shoot and has the agility on the court to do so many things that you just don’t imagine a kid that big can do. Kreso does not get near the recognition he deserves with Ainge but he really is huge in Provo.  On the recently built Marriot Center fans like to say “Watts built, Marriott paid for it and Kreso filled it.’ He loves the game of basketball and has traveled across the world to show the world there is a ‘different way’ to play this game for the big men who are so used to being thrown down on the block and taught turn arounds and baby hooks. You can do it all and Cosic will continue to preach and teach this way wherever he plays.  Finland has also been a prime location for this program to recruit from.  Senior Kari Limo and sophomore Timo Saarlainen are both from the Scandinavian country know for long, cold winters (Don’t know what you got) and ironically play the same position.  Limo had some big games last year as he took over for Minson at the three but will be challenged by Timo and some other second year guys to keep his job. 

A trio of sophomores were productive for the Cougars before leaving for their mission.  Coming back they will be receiving a bunch more playing time.  Michael Smith, Devin Durrant and Fred Roberts performed well on the JV squad before they left but are expecting much bigger roles now.  By the end of their freshmen year, Smith and Durrant were actually starting at the 3 and 4 and Roberts was the primary backup at both playing the swing forward as JV Coach Dave Rose develops the new talent. This trio complement each other well though there is no true center here.  They do not need one on this roster with all of them seniors coming back and the biggest recruit ever (both figuratively and literally) coming to Provo.  

Maybe the player that best defines the Cougars up front is sophomore Greg Kite.  Basically, a huge body that fills up space, the Cougs have routinely recruited size over skill and strength over quickness.  They are not keeping up with the Jones of the world as far as athleticism.  Just up the road the Utah Utes are recruiting the new style player and thus are capable of competing with the better schools in the country. The Cougars must change their philosophy and they are obviously trying with the sophomore forwards and Fredette but in reality they are nowhere near as athletic or fast (which is a huge thing for a breaking team) as the teams they are competing against.  But they are competitive and they are big and Kite defines both of these to a T.  At six eleven and 250 pounds, Kite did not play often behind Cosic and company up front. Kite barely scores and if he does it as an accident as he knows his role and seems to cherish it.  Kite sets a mean screen and does board but the statistic that defines him is personal fouls.  He averaged almost 2 fouls a game in just over 7 minutes.  Yep, that’s a true stat.  The term enforcer from the Hockey World seems to fit as soft as these clean cut white boys are nobody really messes with them with Kite hanging around.  If the game gets a bit too physical for Watts liking or if Ainge is taking too much heat then in comes Mr. Kite to set a big screen for his buddy and usually leave a welt or two (if not broken fibula) on the other team.  Every team should have one of these guys but then again this is not Hockey! Kite still hasn’t decided if he is going to be taking a mission this year (or ever) so for now he is on this roster.  The final decision might come down to whether or not the phenom takes his mission this year as there are many who say it would not hurt the kid who weighs about a 220 should teach the ministry for a couple of years while putting some weight on that slender frame. 

The kid we are referring to is freshman big (and we do mean big) man Shawn Bradley.  At seven foot six inches tall, Bradley is truly a menace to opposing teams.  A great shot blocker, how can you not be at that height, Bradley also has enormous potential on the offensive end though right now that is mostly tipins and dunks.  He has a chance to be great if he can add some muscle to an awfully thin physique (220 pounds seems okay until you consider he is actually seven foot six) and get better on the block.  Born in West Germany (Germany was divided by a wall at one-point kids) Bradley moved to Utah as a kid and was a dominant prep player setting Beehive state records for blocks and leading Emery High (out of Castle Dale) to a 68 and 4 record while he was there including two state championships.  Heavily recruited he stayed near home and BYU got their ‘biggest’ recruit ever when he chose religion over the glory of a bigger program.  Believe it or not there have been other Mormon kids who have not chosen BYU when they had a chance but not Bradley who wants to take this program to the promised-land it has never been to.  Watts was extremely cautious with the Cougs version of Goliath and as mentioned above he might sit out a year or two.   Then again he might not.  After all most of the key players are coming back this year and if Bradley does play the Cougars have a real shot at finally making a final four.  To be honest Bradley was nowhere near as good as the Yugoslavian is right now and was probably not better offensively than the three seniors but man he is a game changer with his intimidating presence on the defensive end.   Cosic has taken this kid under his long wings due probably to the shared European sensibilities and they have developed a special bond that is really helping this kid.  Bradley has a more complete game that most seven footers and is learning some of the European style foot work and style of play from the originator himself Mr. Cosic.  He loves running the court and finishing with a monster dunk but the ‘Stormin Mormon’ is better suited learning the subtleties of the low post game. These two ‘Euros’ might actually  spend some time on the court together (in the BYU version of the twin towers) this year if Bradley plays. This kid can play but right now as his meal ticket is blocking shots which he is as gifted at as anybody on the planet but if he wants to be a legitimate next level talent which with his size he definitely should be then he has to make the weight room and training table his real meal ticket.   As far as BYU goes Bradley is the great white hope (aren’t they all in Provo) that could finally take this program to a place it has never been.  The Final Four!  

Brigham Young University is known for being the center of the Mormon world.  The fan support is huge especially in the state of Utah but like the missionaries that dot the planet the impact of this University reaches to all corners of the planet.  The Cougars have put together a nice little athletic program being able to recruit fine players mainly from within the religion.  With their internal ‘recruiting’ program they already have in place for new members of their Church they can also go outside the Beehive state and get some talented players.  It seems like they have become adept at bringing in a certain type of player and were not just talking white clean cut kids.  The football team is know for having great quarterbacks and the college team is know for great big hulking monsters in the middle.  The problem is those types of players are starting to become obsolete in the new style of the full court game.  The Cougars must adjust to this and they have the perfect mentor for the brand new style especially for big men.  Who as to know that the game of basketball would be forever changed when a Mormon mission went to Yogoslavia and brought some big kid into the ‘fold’ and he soon brought his Euro style of ball to the BYU campus in Provo.  Kresemir Cosic has been a huge influence on basketball in general but around here he is the ultimate teacher and he now has his biggest student’ and the future of this program (and possibly white guy basketball) lies in these giants large hands.   Combine that with the hugely competitive and talented stud in the back court and that made BYU basketball must see not only in Utah but all across the basketball map.   Oh, and the fact they got to play a large majority of their games down the stretch at the Marriott Center and it’s rabid almost 20,000 fans does not hurt perpetuating the brand.  The future is now for BYU and no matter how popular this team is they have to win games in the post season and hopefully that curse will change.