BYU-Ottawa Notes and Quotes

The following notes and quotes are from BYU men’s basketball’s 109-69 exhibition win versus Ottawa (Ariz.) Wednesday in the Marriott Center.

Series Results: This was the first all-time meeting between the two teams. As the game was an exhibition, the overall series officially remains at 0-0.

Attendance: 7,315

Team Notes

• Starting Five
  With three starters not returning from last season’s NIT quarterfinal run, head coach Mark Pope unveiled a new-look starting lineup against the Spirit. Jaxson Robinson, Rudi Williams, Gideon George, Spencer Johnson and Fousseyni Traore got the opening nod for the Cougars.
• Tune-Ups
  BYU is now 3-0 in exhibitions in the Pope era.
• Fast Start
  BYU’s 51 first half points marked the first time the Cougars scored 50 or more points in a first half since March 9, 2021 (vs. Gonzaga, WCC Championship). Entering the 2022-23 season, BYU is 55-7 under Pope when leading at the half, with his side leading 51-35 against Ottawa at the break.
• Not Letting Up
  58 second half points marked the second time in four games BYU has scored 50 or more points in the second period (52, 3/16/22 vs. Long Beach State). The team's total of 109 was also the firs time the Cougars reached the century mark since February 4, 2021 (105, at Portland).
• Fast Start
  With its 109 points on Wednesday, BYU has now scored over 100 points in four exhibition games since 2012-13. 

Player Notes

• Newcomers
  BYU has 12 newcomers on the roster. Nine of those players—Tredyn Christensen, Dallin Hall, Jared McGregor, Braeden Moore, Jaxson Robinson, Richie Saunders, Tanner Toolson, Noah Waterman and Rudi Williams—made appearances Wednesday night. 
• Johnson’s All-Around Effort
  Johnson had 16 points Thursday. His previous high across all games with BYU was 15 (12/1/21 at Utah Valley). He also had six steals, eclipsing his previous mark of four (3/4/22 vs. Loyola Marymount). The last time a Cougar had five or more steals was Jake Toolson on Jan. 4, 2020 (5, vs. Loyola Marymount).
• Double-Double
  In 34 collegiate games Traore has 10 double-doubles, with the team holding an 8-2 record in those games. He had 10 points and 11 rebounds against Ottawa.
• Fast Start
  Atiki Ally Atiki had 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%) in just 17 minutes. 

Postgame Quotes

Head Coach Mark Pope

On a complete team performance

“It was really fun to watch this group because they turned down so many challenging shots to earn great shots for their teammates all night long. That was actually super special.”

On the potential of the team’s young players

“Moving forward, we have a chance to see some really special guys. We're going to grow a lot as a team this season and in the next year or two. We have a chance to be really special, I have a lot of faith in that young group.”

On the team’s 19 turnovers

“The one thing about the turnovers that I was okay with was that a lot of those turnovers came with us trying to do what we're trying to learn. Clearly we're not going to win any games when we have 19 turnovers, but we're in a massive growth place right now. So, as long as we're turning the ball over trying to accomplish what we're trying to do, it’s ok, we’re learning.”

Guard Spencer Johnson

Opening Statement

“DIM. Defensive impact metric. We track it every week, every day in practice. It's how disruptive you are on defense, so that was our focus today. We’re really pushing to be disruptive on defense because it’s something that’s reproduceable.”

On starting for the first time at BYU

“One thing I've always talked about is it doesn't really matter who starts the game, it matters who finishes. But I've worked really hard, and it felt so good to hear my name being called and then to step out there and actually play really well. But ultimately it was even better to get the win.”