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BYU basketball coach Dave Rose said at media day a few weeks ago that the key to a successful season will be defense, and whether the Cougars can consistently stop people from scoring.

The Cougars have enough offensive weapons to be really good, he said, but whether his plan to install a more defensive-minded culture in the program succeeds or not will determine whether BYU will get back to the NCAA Tournament.

The team held some media availability after its practice on Wednesday night, and I asked Rose if the defensive mindset is taking hold.

"I think the challenge is to the players, and I think they've accepted it really well," Rose said. "The easiest way probably to evaluate that is that trying to run our offense in practice is a lot more difficult. A lot of that can be because there is nine guys on each side, so you maybe have a little more energy because of the amount of reps that you get.

I think they've just really got a mindset that they want to be better defensively. We are spending the same amount of time, doing the same drills, but hopefully the message gets through a little bit better, and the guys believe that's what we need to do to improve and get better."

Kyle Collinsworth agreed with the coach, although he has yet to participate in a full-court scrimmage. That is expected to take place for the first time since his knee injury on Friday.

"I think our offense looks really good," Collinsworth said Wednesday. "I think what looks better is our defense. Our defense is making it tough for our offense.

Last year when we would do drills it would be a 16-14 [score]. This year it is 8-6. People aren't scoring a lot, and our defense is putting a lot more pressure on our offense and making plays. So it is good."

My report on last night's practice, which includes a progress update on Collinsworth's journey back from ACL surgery seven months ago, was posted online this afternoon.

Here's more from Rose and Collinsworth:

Rose on what he has learned about his team in the two weeks they'v been practicing:

"Well, it is a really competitive group. I mean, there is a lot of emotion and a lot of urgency — some pretty spirited practices. And I think it is a quick-learning group. Hopefully we can continue to progress. With a lot of experienced guys, these younger guys are picking things up quick, which is good."

Rose on whether he has a feel yet for who will start, what roles guys will have:

"What I am trying to do right now is figure out who is going to start in the Cougar Tipoff, and how we are going to break that apart, and how we are going to work it. We will try to get to 10 guys first — 10 starters — and then we will get to five starters after that."

Rose on whether the hype that newcomer Corbin Kaufusi is getting in valid:

"A lot of that is probably my fault. When I talked about him earlier and compared him to a former teammate of mine [Hakeem Olajuwon], I was talking about how young he is in the game, and what kind of impact he can have in a practice, or a pickup game at the time.

I wasn't talking anything about potential and future, and being one of the top 50 players in the history of the NBA.

I was talking about when I saw a young player come to our country from Lagos, Nigeria, very young in the game, and then have a real impact at that time. The comparison [to Kaufusi] maybe has been blown out of proportion. But Corbin is an explosive guy, and I am excited to be able to coach him."

Rose on whether Tyler Haws is still Tyler Haws in terms of value to the team:

"He is really consistent. We as a staff were talking about him the other day, and to think that to this point, since his mission, that he's been probably more effective in the early periods of practice this year than he has the last two years. He has always been really effective once the season starts, but I have liked the mindset that he has and the progression that he's made as far as leadership and being able to lead. What he has always been good at, and is even better at now, is leading by example. If you just do what I do, you will be in good shape. You can turn that over to him this year, and get the same result."

Collinsworth on improving his shooting:

"Yeah, free throws are better. My shot is better. It is just more consistent, and I am more confident with it. So it has been really good."

Collinsworth on what characterizes this team:

"I think we have a lot more leadership this year. Guys know their roles a little bit better. We have seniors now, and so the leadership is there. When we are going through rough periods of time, our leadership picks up and we make things better quickly."

Collinsworth on whether they are as athletic as last year:

"Losing Eric hurts. But Corbin is athletic as well. We have a lot more guys this year. It will be different. We will see how it all forms together. We still have a couple more weeks, but we are pretty deep. I think the key difference this year is our leadership, so far. We have a lot better leadership."

Collinsworth on what Chase Fischer brings to team:

"Leadership and the will to win. He always wants to win. He doesn't care if he scores zero or he scores 30, he just wants to win, so I think the will to win, for sure."

Collinsworth on what Luke Worthington has been like this season:

"I think he's improved a lot this year. He's probably the most improved player. He's playing really well. He's becoming a presence for us, and he is scoring down low, so it is good."