Fans get first look at BYU basketball team

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BYU opened up the basketball season with the annual Cougar tip-off scrimmage with the blue team defeating the white team 84-70.

Coach Dave Rose loves this time of year and was pleased with how the game went, but singled out ball movement as the thing that impressed him the most.

“One thing I was really pleased with was how we moved the ball,” Rose said.

Rose talked about how normally that does not happen early on in the first few games. Rose also discussed the competitiveness of the team and feels they are ready to compete.

Brandon Davies shined for the white team in the first half. In just 18 minutes of play, he had 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists. But after a few tumbles to the floor, Coach Rose had him sit the second half out.

“We play hard no matter who we’re playing against,” Davies said, in response to the hard fouls.

Tyler Haws, in his first season back from the mission, seemed to pick up right where he left off. Haws finished the night with 26 points and helped lead the blue team to a 14-point victory. Carlino also helped, adding 19 points and 8 assists.

“It’s good to be back,” Haws said.

Haws will be given added responsibilities this season as Rose named him to be one of the team’s captains along with Brandon Davies and Brock Zylstra, despite playing on the team as a sophomore.

The two junior college transfers had big nights for the white team. Agustin Ambrosino had 17 points and Raul Delgado ended with 14.

Rose said the play of these two players will be key for this year’s team because of losing two experienced players in Noah Hartsock and Charles Abouo.

He enjoyed what he saw from them tonight.

“I saw two guys who are really confident in their ability to play,” Rose said. “They are confident in their ability to attack and score.”

While all these players had good games, the loudest cheer of the night came after Josh Sharp completed a drive down the baseline with a huge dunk over Ambrosino.

Sharp will be counted on to step up this year, especially after Rose announced early Wednesday that Stephen Rogers will not be able to continue to play basketball for BYU due to his ongoing knee problems.

The Cougars will have the first exhibition game this Friday at 7 p.m. against Southeastern Oklahoma State at the Marriott Center.

 

 

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