Early Look at the 2011-2012 BYU Basketball Squad and Beyond
By Mitch Harper
DaMarcus Harrison
By: Mitch Harper (Twitter: @Mitch_Harper)
Last night of course was the end to a once-in-a-generation team. Many are sad. We here at Cougar Center are no different, we wanted to see this great BYU team advance as far as they could. But they brought us some special memories, and the future of BYU Basketball looks to be bringing some more special memories in the future.
Here’s a look at next year’s personnel. A lot to be excited about Cougar faithful. BYU Basketball isn’t going to be slowing down anytime soon.
Returning Letterman (Alphabetical listing w/player’s 2012 year)
– Charles Abouo, Sr.
Charles in Charge Abouo came on strong towards the end of this season. Came into the starting lineup when Kyle Collinsworth was injured and did a solid job. BYU’s best defender next season and will be a Senior leader. Will be interesting to see if he is as effective on the offensive end without players like Jimmer Fredette and Jackson Emery commanding attention, allowing him to get open looks. Needs to be more polished in his offensive game going into next year.
– James Anderson, Sr.
Anderson had his moments of success during the 2011 season. Will need to be more of a physical presence on the glass. But Anderson likely sees his minutes diminished next year with Davies back and the influx of young big men in the program next year.
– Chris Collinsworth, Soph.
Collinsworth who saw his season cut short due to a season-ending knee injury. Only played in nine games in his first season back from a mission in Australia. Collinsworth is likely going to receive a medical redshirt year, so he will remain a Sophomore and have the opportunity to play with his brother Kyle, when Kyle comes back from his mission in Serbia. Chris is 6-9, 235 and a real physical presence on the glass. Offensively, reminds us a lot of Eric Nielsen from the early years of the Steve Cleveland era.
– Brandon Davies, Jr.
Davies saw his solid Sophomore campaign cut short due to Honor Code violations. Davies has yet to be cleared by the Honor Code office to play next season, but all indications point to him taking the necessary steps to be back on the team and anchoring the starting Center spot in this program yet again. Averaged 11 points per game and 6 rebounds a game in his second season. Steve Kerr from the BYU-San Diego State broadcast in San Diego said Davies is a future NBA prospect. A lot of potential for Davies, and we can’t wait to see him back in Cougar blue.
– Noah Hartsock, Sr.
Have to respect the kind of season Noah had this past year, and the sacrifices he made for the betterment of the team. Noah, obviously switched from his normal Power Forward spot to Center late in the year when Davies was suspended. Didn’t really find his flow in the offense from the 5-spot, but made the most of it and is going into next year as one of the team’s leaders. Will be in his natural position next season, and will be one of BYU’s key contributors in 2012.
– Nick Martineau, Jr.
Good guy. Can’t imagine the future of BYU Basketball at Point Guard being in his hands though. It will take some drastic improvements in his game to lead this team. This is one of the reasons why Rose should contemplate possibly signing a JUCO Point Guard in the Spring signing period.
– Stephen Rogers, Jr.
Rogers will be one of the players in 2012 that will see a much increased role on next year’s team. Rogers had his struggles early in the 2011 season finding his niche on the team and a rhythm. Then in MWC play started to come into his own and displayed the sharp-shooting talents he was known for coming out of Mesa Community College in Arizona. Nice thing about Rogers is that he isn’t your typical JC transfer. Still have two more years of Mr. Rogers draining threes from his neighborhood.
– Brock Zylstra, Jr.
Due to lack of depth at the guard position next year, Zylstra has an opportunity to break out and give the team something. If not next year, it won’t happen.
Players coming off a Red-Shirt season
– Matt Carlino, Guard, Rs.-Fr. (Transfer from UCLA)
Carlino was a much heralded prep out of Bloomington South High School in Indiana. A Top 150 recruit according to many recruiting services in 2009. Carlino originally committed to the nearby Indiana Hoosiers led by Tom Crean, but then de-committed and signed with Ben Howland’s UCLA Bruins. Carlino early in the 2010-2011 season felt a change of heart again and opted to transfer.
Made some visits to Gonzaga, UNLV and other western based programs but ultimately decided to transfer to BYU.
Carlino joined the program in late December and practiced with the team as a walk-on. Will be a scholarship athlete next season, but due to transfer rules will not be eligible til mid-December. Putting Carlino a little bit behind on the bid to be the starting Point Guard. Carlino though is a combo guard who is very skilled and can shoot the ball from deep, even in Jimmer range according to some.
– Anson Winder, Guard, Rs-Fr. (Bishop Gorman High School; Las Vegas, NV)
Winder will be a player in 2011-2012 competing to fill the huge shoes left by Jimmer Fredette at the Point Guard position. Winder likely has the inside track. Young, versatile player who can knock down the open 3. Very athletic as well. In AAU ball in Vegas, Winder was a scoring machine.
Newcomers
– DaMarcus Harrison, Guard, Fr. (Arden, North Carolina; Christ School)
A Top 100 recruit in the Class of 2011, Harrison is one of the biggest signings in BYU Basketball history. Harrison was recruited by BYU coaches for three years. Harrison who is LDS, was also recruited by South Carolina, Florida State, Wisconsin, and Clemson. Harrison had it down to Clemson & BYU and ultimately chose BYU back in October and signed with the Cougars a month later on Signing Day.
A 6’5 athlete Harrison is extremely talented and many believe will see time right away in this program. Very likely could be the starting Shooting Guard next season. Will be enrolled in the fall.
Return Missionaries
– Michael Boswell, Forward, RS-Fr. (Aloha, Oregon)
Boswell redshirted his first season in Provo, 2008-2009. Boswell was a talented big man at 6-9 from the northwest in Oregon. Averaged 17 points per game in high school and 11 board per game. Was a McDonald’s All-American nominee.
– Nate Austin, Forward/Center, Fr. (Alpine, Utah; Lone Peak H.S.)
Committed to BYU as a Junior in 2008. Saw limited minutes his first few seasons at Lone Peak, then the summer before his Senior season performed really well in a Las Vegas camp and his recruiting options opened up. Stayed committed to BYU throughout the whole process. Coming home from McAllen, Texas mission.
– Ian Harward, Forward/Center, Fr. (Orem, Utah; Orem H.S.)
Along with Austin committed to BYU as a Junior in 2008. And like Austin will be returning home from a mission in Texas. But Harward’s mission in Texas was in San Antonio. Harward really broke out on the recruiting scene to BYU coaches with his performances on one of the premiere AAU teams in Utah, Pump ‘N Run squad. Very long player who offensively is at his best with his back to the basket.
Players Currently on Missions
– Tyler Haws, Guard (Returns for 2012-13 season)
Currently serving in the Philippines. Solid player who has a high basketball I.Q. Wait til he comes into the backcourt with the likes of Carlino and Harrison. Very exciting.
– Isaac Neilson, Center (Returns for 2013-14 season)
Neilson signed in the November 2010 class. A 6-10 Center out of Mission Viejo, California with a 7’3 wingspan. Neilson will bring even more length to the program when he joins in 2013.
– Kyle Collinsworth, Guard/Forward (Returns for 2013-14 season)
Expected to leave for his mission in Serbia in May. KC displayed tremendous athleticsm and a knack for pulling down rebounds in his first season in a Cougar uniform. When he comes back to the program needs to work on his offensive game. Will be a special talent in this program.
*****
We will be discussing this 2012 BYU Basketball roster on the next Cougar Center Podcast on Wednesday, giving our thoughts as to who you can expect to be starters and other things of note from this group. So be on the look out for that this upcoming Wednesday.
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