The home-standing UNLV Rebels and the third game in three nights proved to be too exhausting for the regular-season champion Cougars.
As a way to prepare the Cougars for the end-of-season tournaments, coach Dave Rose has agreed for the second time in three years to participate in the Basketball Travelers Invitational at the Marriott Center.
The Cougars will play Atlantic Sun Conference member North Florida at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Rice at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, and Cal Poly at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Rice and Cal Poly meet at 5 tonight in the Marriott Center.
"You want to get some experience and learn to put a game plan together the same day you are playing," Rose said. "Also, part of the goal with these back-to-back-to-back games is to prepare the team for the end-of-season tournaments."
Two years ago, the Cougars defeated Liberty, Oral Roberts and Seton Hall at the Marriott Center in a similar tournament, but that one took place in late December.
BYU has little input over the caliber of its opponents. Last year, North Florida went 3-26, Rice went 3-27 and Cal Poly was 12-18. The Cougars have never played North Florida or Cal Poly and are 4-2 against Rice.
"The thing is, you get game experience," Rose said. "You learn a lot about your team, playing three games in a row."
Rose tinkered with his starting lineup in BYU's 82-53 win at Pepperdine on Tuesday, replacing Lamont Morgan at point guard with Jimmer Fredette, who went on to score 16 points. Jackson Emery started at the two-guard spot where Fredette had been starting, while Lee Cummard, Jonathan Tavernari and Chris Miles rounded out the first five.
drew@sltrib.com
Cougar trifecta
Upcoming schedule:
North Florida at BYU
Where: Marriott Center, Provo
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m.
TV: BYU TV
Radio: 1160 AM, 102.7 FM
Series history: First meeting
About the Cougars: Jimmer Fredette started at point guard in the place of Lamont Morgan and scored 16 points in BYU's 82-53 win over Pepperdine on Tuesday. Jonathan Tavernari added 17 and Lee Cummard had 13.
About the Osprey: Located in Jacksonville, Fla., North Florida is a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. This marks the final year for UNF in its transition to the NCAA Division I level. . . . Coach Matt Kilcullen is in his 10th season. . . . They lost their season-opener 75-60 to Savannah State on Sunday.
Friday: Rice, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday: Cal Poly, 8:30 p.m.
