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Provo • Aside from getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of the 10 new players who weren't on the roster last year, BYU basketball coach Dave Rose said a primary task for the 2015-16 season will be to replace the scoring of the graduated Tyler Haws.

Rose, entering his 11th season, said at Tuesday's BYU basketball media day that the lead-up to this season ahead reminds him of the 2011-12 season as the Cougars faced the prospects of replacing 2010-11 National Player of the Year Jimmer Fredette and his 28.9 scoring average. BYU went 26-9 that year, its first in the West Coast Conference.

Haws, who is now playing professionally in Spain, left Provo as the leading scorer in BYU history and averaged 23.2 points per game as a junior and 22.2 as a senior.

"The way we will try to [replace Haws' scoring] is similar to that year," Rose said. "A lot of guys will share that role."

College basketball teams can start practicing 42 days before their first scheduled games, which is this Friday, for most. However, the Cougars won't start until Monday due to the LDS Church's General Conference this weekend.

"I am just really excited about this team," Rose said. "I think some years you are a little more apprehensive, but this year, with us being able to travel [to Spain for four games] and coach our team a little bit in August, we have a good feel for the group, and what we can do, and how we can do it."

The four players who averaged more than or close to double figures in Spain — seniors Chase Fischer (17.7 ppg.) and Kyle Collinsworth (12.3), Utah State transfer Kyle Davis (12.3) and returned missionary freshman Nick Emery (9.5) — are the obvious candidates to replace Haws' production, along with redshirt freshman Jordan Chatman, true freshman Zac Seljaas and UNLV transfer Jamal Aytes, Rose said.

"I think this team is capable of having five or six score in double figures, depending on how the rotations work," he said.

Fischer, who was heading to the barber after Tuesday's interview sessions to get a nice mop of hair trimmed to BYU's standards, said he will accept more of the scoring load after averaging 13.2 points last year, third behind Haws (22.2) and Collinsworth (13.8).

"You will see more off-the-dribble game from me. Not that I didn't have that last year, but I just think we had Tyler Haws, Skyler Halford, Anson Winder, a lot of guys who could do a lot off the dribble," Fischer said. "I really got in the gym and worked on my ball-handling a lot, pick-and-rolls, different ways to get my shot off and finish around the rim. I think you will see more of a complete player. I've had the best summer of my life. I've put a lot of work in. I think it will be a big year for me."

Collinsworth said his surgically repaired knee feels just like his other knee now, and he's ready to follow up a huge year with an even bigger one as a senior. He said he briefly weighed turning professional "because of my age" after a junior year that saw him record six triple-doubles, the most in a single season in NCAA history.

"My body feels as good as it has ever felt in my career," he said. "It is no longer a mental issue. I don't think about [the knee] at all, I don't feel it at all. Everything else is good. I feel really explosive and healthy right now."

Fischer and Collinsworth worked out together all summer, and Fischer said Collinsworth has improved immensely in areas other than rebounding and scoring.

"I'm not going to give you guys too much — everybody can just wait and see — but he has put a lot of work in and really expanded his game. … This year will be a big year for him and he will show some people everything he can do," Fischer said.

Having received his senior season back from the NCAA, 6-foot-10 post Nate Austin also said he's completely healthy and ready to roll. No longer on scholarship, Austin said he returned due to his love for BYU and his teammates.

Aytes, who sat out last year with a micro-fracture in his left foot, said he, too, feels 100 percent and is ready to show BYU fans what he can do. He said LeBron James was his role model growing up, but his father often said his style is closer to Carmelo Anthony's.

"I am healthy; everything is good," Aytes said. "I am just waiting for that day to get back on the court. It is finally here."

drew@sltrib.com Twitter: @drewjay —

Cougar five

BYU basketball's projected starting five, 2015-16

Player Position Year Ht/Wt

Kyle Collinsworth Guard Senior 6-6/215

Nick Emery Guard Freshman 6-2/186

Chase Fischer Wing Senior 6-3/190

Corbin Kaufusi Post Sophomore 6-10/255

Kyle Davis Post Junior 6-8/225