This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Coach Dave Rose's BYU basketball team returns to the Marriott Center on Friday night looking for better consistency and a much-needed win to get it on track before a tournament next week in Hawaii.
The Cougars will play host to Central Michigan at 7 p.m. in their final nonconference home game of the season. Next week, the Cougars will play in the Diamond Head Classic in Oahu on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday before beginning West Coast Conference play on Dec. 31 at Saint Mary's.
Friday's game will be the first meeting between the Cougars (6-3) and Chippewas (5-4), who have won two straight.
All five CMU starters average at least 8.4 points per game, led by 6-foot-1 guard Chris Fowler at 17.0 ppg. Braylon Rayson (16.6), Rayshawn Simmons (14.2) and John Simons (10.1) also score in double figures. The Chips don't run as much as BYU, but are still averaging 75.7 ppg. The Cougars are averaging 80.9 ppg.
Saturday's 92-83 loss at Colorado showed that the Cougars still cannot string together two good halves against a quality team. They outscored the Buffaloes 47-44 in the second half, but that wasn't enough to overcome a 48-36 halftime deficit.
"We were not consistent enough in two areas," Rose said. "Offensively, were not able to hit open shots, shots that we worked for and shots that we get. And then our ability to rebound in big, key moments, was lacking. They beat us on the boards."
Colorado won the rebounding battle 49-41 and worked the ball inside enough to get 23 free throws, making 20.
"We finally got on a little run where we started to hit some shots and put a little pressure on them," Rose said. "But they were really consistent in answering it. Every time we made a run, they answered it pretty well."
The Cougars also have to figure out a way to get senior guard Chase Fischer going. He was 0 for 9 from 3-point range against Colorado, forcing Rose to turn to freshman Zac Seljaas in critical moments. Seljaas responded with 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting, and likely earned himself more playing time in the future, beginning Friday night.
Twitter: @drewjay —
Central Michigan at BYU
P At the Marriott Center, Provo
Tipoff • Friday, 7 p.m.
TV • BYUtv
Radio • 1160 AM, 102.7 FM and Sirius XM 143
Records • BYU 6-3, Central Michigan 5-4
Series record • First meeting
About the Cougars • They are coming off a 92-83 loss to Colorado in which freshman Nick Emery led with 23 points and fellow freshman Zac Seljaas scored a career-high 18 points off the bench. … They are 5-0 at home this season and looking to go undefeated at home in nonconference play for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
About the Chippewas • They have won two straight games, including a 79-71 win over Texas Southern on Dec. 12. … Four players are averaging in double figures: Chris Fowler, Braylon Rayson, Rayshawn Simmons and John Simons. Fowler is averaging 17.0 ppg. and Rayson is averaging 16.6 ppg.