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BYU basketball: Cougs in NIT, Bryant out with injury

By Adam Andreason

March 6, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Saint Mary's Gaels guard Joe Rahon (25) dribbles the basketball against BYU Cougars guard Elijah Bryant (3) during the first half at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 6, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Saint Mary's Gaels guard Joe Rahon (25) dribbles the basketball against BYU Cougars guard Elijah Bryant (3) during the first half at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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BYU basketball could do a lot worse than the NIT. But even that is going to be an uphill battle as the injury bug bites again.

Yesterday, I was thinking: it could be a lot worse for BYU basketball.

Yes, the Cougars were just crushed by their nemesis in the WCC tourney (they never did get that early lead), but they now they have time for a small refresh. To play a mini season, turn over a new leaf, and get more time with the guys they have. There are worst places to build from than the NIT.

After all, it worked for St. Mary’s.

Though the National Invitational Tournament has faded in luster since the days when it was on par with the NCAA’s big showdown, this clash of runner-ups has some definite perks to it.

If seeding is in your favor, you host more home games. The No. 3 seed BYU basketball earned assured the Cougars of at least one more chance to play at the Marriott Center, Wednesday night against UT Arlington on ESPN2. Their bracket gives them another chance. Due to renovations in Houston’s gym, BYU basketball will host the next round regardless of whether Houston or Akron wins. 

And for home fans, it’s a seating reset. Those spots mostly reserved by deep-pocket donors open up, and for $15-20 you can sit up close.

This packs the crowd down into the lower bowl, and since only the diehards show up, it can get loud and feisty. ROC pass holders still get in free, so the student section should be in full force. If the Cougs get on a roll at home, they could really have some fun games. That’s what carried BYU basketball to Madison Square Garden the last two NIT runs.

Overall, a nice consolation prize was forming for the Cougars. It could surely be a lot worse.

It just got worse.

Elijah Bryant has just checked out. The point/wing is done for whatever remains of the season. He re-injured his knee against St. Mary’s in the WCC tournament, and joins L.J. Rose and Kyle Davis on the gurney of season-ending knee damage, and shrinks the thin depth of the Cougar bench yet further. Davin Guinn will make his first start of the season in Bryant’s place.

This is not only bad for the NIT run, but also slows what might be a promising basketball career for Bryant, who made great strides getting back from injury already. Now he’ll be spending the offseason rehabbing instead of expanding his game and gelling with the guys.

As for whatever BYU can squeeze out of the rest of this season, well… can you really expect that much? Dave Rose, to the end, has not had the consistent starting five and rotations he’s so fond of. To think they’d easily roll with this latest punch seems pretty optimistic.

Next: Pitta, Sorensen sign new contracts

So if the Cougars win a game or two in the NIT, good show. Props to the kids. But if the team struggles to find itself yet again from youth and adjustment, and gets bounced early, it should not come as a shock.

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