By Marc Owen
The BYU men”s basketball team tips-off the new season at the Varsity Preview Friday, Nov. 1.
The Varsity Preview is a 40-minute intrasquad scrimmage held at the Marriott Center that is open to the fans.
Junior center Dan Howard said although the Cougars have similar scrimmages in practice everyday, the Preview will feel more like a real game situation.
“The nice thing will be that the lights will be on, the fans will be in the stands and we will have officials,” Howard said.
Coach Cleveland said the preview is helpful because it allows the coaches to see the players in simulated game situations.
Both coaches and fans will be looking closely at junior transfer Kevin Woodberry. Woodberry will occupy the point guard position vacated by Matt Montague.
Woodberry, who provided plenty of excitement at the Cougars” first practice with alley-oop dunks, said the Preview will be more organized than Midnight Madness.
“You can expect a lot more structure in the Varsity Preview and not so much flare,” Woodberry said.
Howard said he hopes the Cougars can get the season off to a good start and return to the NCAA tournament.
“We want to get back to the NCAA tournament,” Howard said. “It hurt not to be there last year.”
Woodberry said he believes he can help the Cougars get back to their championship form.
“I”m going to try to bring leadership and a little more scoring,” Woodberry said. “If we can win on the road, we will be back in the tournament.”
The Cougars have a lot of new faces for the fans to get to know. BYU has eight new players on this year”s roster.
Mike Middleton, the BYU Cougar Club Executive Director, said the Preview provides the fans with an opportunity to see the players up-close and get to know them.
Middleton also said the players will be staying after the scrimmage to sign autographs and talk to the fans.
The Preview starts at 7 p.m. and will include a three-point shooting contest at halftime.
The event is free to all season ticket holders and to BYU students who present their student ID.
The Cougars begin competition against other teams on Nov. 5 against EA Sports.
