Editor’s Note: This week at Lawless Republic we are rolling out our five-part 2014-15 BYU Basketball Summer Prospectus. This is part two looking at the BYU’s personnel for this season.
When BYU lost to Oregon in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, here at Lawless Republic we put together a way too-early look at the 2014-15 roster. In just five months, a lot has changed with how the Cougar Cager roster will look this upcoming season.
In this installment of the 2014-15 BYU Basketball Summer Prospectus, we take a look at BYU’s personnel for the upcoming season.
As always with any Dave Rose-led BYU squad, the Cougars have talent. But are they experienced and deep enough too not only make it to the NCAA Tournament, but advance? Let’s look at this season’s cagers.
NOTE: Players are listed in order of projected depth chart. First player listed in position group is the projected starter.
Point Guard
Kyle Collinsworth | Jr. *ACL
Anson Winder | Sr.
Frank Bartley | Soph.
Jordan Chatman | Fr.
Much of BYU Basketball’s success this upcoming season will rest on the health of Kyle Collinsworth’s knee. If Collinsworth is healthy when the season tips off in November, BYU will be positioned to win many ball games, like has been the norm for BYU under Dave Rose.
Collinsworth is BYU’s most versatile player but he needs to improve his ball handling, limit the turnovers, and become more effective in his shooting. If he can do that, K.C. will have a special junior season, and it could possibly be result in this being his last season in a Cougar uniform. K.C. hasn’t ruled out leaving early for the NBA after this year if the opportunity presents itself.
When Matt Carlino transferred to Marquette it left a hole on the roster as to who would be the backup point guard. Senior Anson Winder would appear to be the favorite at this time. If Collinsworth isn’t ready to go for game number one, you could see Winder as the starting point guard. It’s also expected that sophomore Frank Bartley is going to get an opportunity to compete at the point.
Then there is returned missionary true freshman, Jordan Chatman. Chatman was a Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Washington in 2012 for Union High School. Rose won’t place a redshirt year on any player going into a season, but I would bet the ideal plan would be for Chatman to have a year to sit and absorb the program. Chatman is an interesting prospect because he has a chiseled frame and stands at 6’4”. In the Dave Rose era BYU has never had that from a player where his primary position is point guard.
Shooting Guard
Chase Fischer | Jr.
Winder/Bartley
Skyler Halford | Sr.
One knock on BYU this upcoming season is that they don’t have enough consistent scorers outside of Tyler Haws. Former High School Parade All-American and Wake Forest transfer, Chase Fischer, looks to be that consistent offensive threat for the Cougars to ease opposing defenses away from Haws.
Fischer was a high school legend in the state of West Virginia averaging nearly 40 points per game in his senior season. At Wake Forest, Fischer never could carve out a role in Jeff Bzdelick’s Demon Deacon program. When Fischer wanted to transfer, BYU assistant coach Mark Pope made a phone call and was able to convince Fischer, who’s non-LDS, to visit Provo and the rest is history.
I’d expect Frank Bartley to end up playing here at the two as well. That’s the best fit for FBIV, and his ceiling is much higher at shooting guard than at point. Senior Skyler Halford had his moments of brilliance last season where he proved he could knock down three pointers.
Small Forward
Tyler Haws | Sr.
Dalton Nixon | Fr. *Non-scholarship
Jake Toolson | Fr. *Non-scholarship
Tyler Haws doesn’t receive the fanfare like many star players at BYU have in the past, but this guy is going to go down as one of the best in the history of the program. Last year’s West Coast Conference Player of the Year is primed for a big senior campaign.
As a junior, many wondered if Haws could follow up his impressive returned missionary season as a sophomore. He was better in a handful of statistical categories, and I wouldn’t put it past him to have an even better senior season this winter.
Statistically, Haws is going to end up as one of the best in BYU history. Now the only thing alluding him is a deep-run in the NCAA Tournament. Since coming back from the mission in 2011, BYU hasn’t advanced past the second round of the NCAA’s. Could this be the year?
Behind Haws at the small forward spot is a pair of surprise additions to the roster that no one was expecting to play this year.
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Dalton Nixon and Jake Toolson were both expected to serve LDS missions this season, but both had unique situations that will allow them to play this season. Both players will be walk-ons this year, then they will be scholarship athletes for the remainder of their careers.
Nixon, son to former BYU sharp-shooter Kevin Nixon, is delaying his mission and will leave after the basketball season is complete. Toolson, nephew to BYU legend Danny Ainge, on the other hand isn’t able to serve his mission due to an anxiety order he has. Both players are sharp shooters that will give BYU the opportunity to spread the floor more in their uptempo offensive attack. Would not be surprised if both of these guys see time this season. Between the two, Nixon is the more likely bet to see minutes. Nixon is 6’7” and could play the power forward spot as well.
Power Forward
Jamal Aytes | Soph.
Luke Worthington | Soph.
Josh Sharp | Sr.
Nixon
Corbin Kaufusi | Fr. *Non-scholarship
Like Chase Fischer, Jamal Aytes is another transfer that BYU will look to be a key contributor this upcoming season. Aytes, a transfer from UNLV, signed with Dave Rice’ Rebels over BYU out of high school. Mid-way through Aytes’ first year with the Rebels last season, he had a change of heart. Aytes enrolled at BYU in January earlier this year and was part of the team through the second-half of the season.
Many are probably surprised that Aytes is listed at power forward due to his size. At 6’6”, Aytes would appear to be undersized to hold down the four-spot. But when you watch Aytes’ game he is best with his back to the basket in the post. Aytes offensively has D-1 ready low-post moves that will allow him to make a difference right away for this BYU team. The problem is that BYU fans will have to wait until December for Aytes to get his Cougar career started. Aytes’ first game in a Cougar uniform will be on December 20th against Stanford.
While Aytes is out due to NCAA transfer rules, look for sophomore Luke Worthington to get the starting nod at the four.
Worthington had many ups and downs in his first season as a Cougar. Started to gain some confidence towards the end of the season as he started three games in relief of Mika at the center spot.
Senior Josh Sharp returns for his final season. If Sharp can get back to the way he played during WCC play in the 2012 season on the glass, Sharp could be a nice asset off the bench for this squad in the rebounding department.
Freshman Corbin Kaufusi was another unexpected addition to the roster. Kaufusi was originally expected to be an offensive lineman for the BYU Football team. But when you come back from your mission at 6’9”, football starts to become an unrealistic option. Hello, BYU Hoops! Kaufusi was a two-sport athlete while prepping at Timpview in Provo. If anything, Kaufusi provides BYU more size in the frontcourt that this team sorely lacks. If you’re expecting Corbin to be another bruiser like his older brother Bronson was, you’re likely going to be disappointed. Corbin had a better offensive game around the rim in high school. Physically, Corbin is more slender than Bronson was. Will still never forget a classic Kelly Olynyk smash by “LeBronson”.
Center
Nate Austin | Sr.
Isaac Neilson | RS-Fr.
Ryan Andrus | Fr.
Senior Nate Austin returns for his final season in Provo. Austin started his career as BYU’s version of Mehmet Okur. A big man who would extend out to the three-point line and bury the trey on a regular basis. The problem is that Austin fell in love with that shot and his offensive game eroded. At times last season, Austin wouldn’t look to attempt a shot when close to the basket.
This season, Austin needs to give BYU some offense that forces opposing defenses to account for Austin. There were times last season that teams would sag off of Austin and double-down on Haws. Improvement is needed.
On the defensive end, Austin will clean up the glass as BYU’s top rebounder. Austin had 10 games last season with double-digit rebound totals. It’ll be interesting to see if there is a transition period for Austin moving from the four to the five-spot this season in replace of Eric Mika who left for his Mormon mission in Italy this past May.
Isaac Neilson is a wildcard in BYU’s frontcourt this season. Neilson has been around the program since January after enrolling at the same time as Jamaal Aytes. The Mission Viejo, California product, has a nice touch around the basket and is more athletic than you would expect at 6’10”. If you want to pinpoint a player that has some under-the-radar “buzz”, this would be your guy.
Ryan Andrus is the other center BYU will have in the mix. Andrus is a true freshman from American Fork High School. Andrus is 6’10” who hit 45 three-pointers for the Cavemen the past two seasons.
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2014-15 BYU Basketball Summer Prospectus
PART I: Last Year in Review
PART II: Personnel Breakdown
PART III: Top Story Lines for 2014-15 season
PART IV: The Future of BYU Basketball
Part V: 2014-15 West Coast Conference Preview