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BYU coach Dave Rose will take his eighth team into the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday when the 25-9 Cougars take on 20-12 Ole Miss at 7:10 p.m. MDT at University of Dayton Arena here in the western half of Ohio.

In three of those seven tournaments the Cougars advanced past their first game — in 2010 against Florida, 2011 against Wofford and Gonzaga and 2012 against Iona.

Naturally, Rose's message to his team Monday as it prepared to take on the Rebels in the first-ever meeting between the programs on the hardcourt was a simple one: It is a lot more fun to win these games than lose them.

"I told the guys today there's one thing about this tournament that's magical and that's when you advance," Rose said. "And the three times we've been able to

advance, one of them was here."

Upon arrival in Dayton, an assistant reminded Rose that after the Cougars beat Iona 78-72, they had to take a long bus ride to Louisville for a second-round game two days later. Some guys were grateful they won't have to do that again; if BYU wins, it will fly to Jacksonville, Fla., for the next game, against Xavier.

"And to tell you the truth, I don't even remember the bus ride, because that's what the feeling that you have is when you advance, it's

pretty special," Rose said. "And so that's a good memory from Dayton, at least for our staff and the couple of guys that were on that team. And hopefully we can recreate that and experience it again, because it's pretty special being invited to the tournament and getting an opportunity."

Tyler Haws, Kyle Collinsworth and Skyler Halford appeared at the BYU news conference in Dayton today, and all acquitted themselves well, delivering thoughtful and insightful comments.

Here are a few of them:

Haws on what seniors Josh Sharp, Nate Austin and Anson Winder have told teammates about that 2012 game at UD Arena:

"Well, I think it was a great memory that they had. They had the greatest comeback in NCAA history. But I don't think we want to get into that type of

a situation again. But they said it's a fun atmosphere, fun court to play on, and we're excited."

Haws on coach Rose's best advice after the Cougars got the bid on Sunday night:

"I think his advice to us was our understanding of what has got us to this point and to bring it back, understand those things and do them for 40

minutes. And I think just little things like rebounding the ball and having an edge to us and playing for each other. Just those little things and starting right from

when the ball gets tipped up."

Collinsworth on Rose's best advice:

"He said the teams that win in this tournament are the teams that play the most like themselves. And I think that's to our advantage. We're a unique team. We push the ball. We get a ton of 3s and just our pace. If we can play our game, I think we'll have a chance."

Halford on Rose's best advice:

"Just to reiterate what they said is we are a team that loves to play with pace, and when we play our style of play, we're a really good basketball team. And when we play at that pace with an edge like Ty said, that's key for us. And we'll see what the outcome is, but I think it will be good for us if we can play that way."