BYU to Face Weber State Thursday in Ogden

BYU Faces Weber State in Ogden Thursday

Coming off a fourth-place finish at the Yahoo! Sports Invitational in Hawaii, BYU travels to Ogden to play its third instate game of the season at Weber State Thursday. Tip off is scheduled for 8 p.m. following the Weber State vs. Southern Utah women's basketball game at 6 p.m. The game can be heard on KSL Newsradio 1160 AM with Greg Wrubell and Mark Durrant calling the action on the Cougar Sports Network. The game is not being televised.

Up Next

BYU returns home to host South Alabama Saturday to complete a home-and-home series with the Jaguars. USA won last year's meeting in Mobile, 64-63. Saturday's game starts at 7 p.m. as part of a double-header with the BYU women's basketball team. BYU is 5-0 at home this year and has a 10-game home winning streak dating back to last season. South Alabama comes to Provo with an 8-4 record, including a 3-3 road mark. Among USA's three road losses was an eight-point setback (70-62) at Indiana. Among its three road wins was a 68-66 win at Auburn. The Jaguars have won three of the last four but are coming off their only home loss in six outings vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (67-55).

Game 12 Fast Facts

Teams:

Brigham Young University Cougars (7-4) -- Provo, Utah

Weber State University (5-4) -- Ogden, Utah

Date: Thursday, Dec. 28, 2000

Site: Ogden, Utah

Arena: Dee Events Center (12,000)

Time: 8 p.m. MST

Series: BYU leads, 16-9

Last Meeting: BYU 66, WSU 53 in Provo (Dec. 11, 1999)

Coaches:

BYU, Steve Cleveland (50-52 in fourth year; same overall)

WSU, Joe Cravens (23-14 in second year; 78-66 in sixth year overall)

TV: None

Radio:

KSL Newsradio 1160 AM (Cougar Sports Network)

Pregame Air Time -- 7:30 p.m. MST

Play-by-Play -- Greg Wrubell

Game Analyst -- Mark Durrant

BYU's Probable Starters:

Pos. # Name Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG

F 42 Nathan Cooper 6-6 210 Sr. 4.7 4.5

F 15 Mekeli Wesley 6-9 240 Sr. 17.2 5.7

F 1 Nate Knight 6-10 225 Sr. 4.8 4.2

G 24 Terrell Lyday 6-3 195 Sr. 15.6 2.3

G 21 Trent Whiting 6-1 185 Sr. 16.2 2.0

WSU's Probable Starters:

Pos. # Name Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG

F 14 Damon King 6-3 190 Sr. 9.6 3.8

F 40 Jake Shoff 6-8 255 So. 7.6 4.8

C 35 Stephan Bachmann6-10 235 So. 13.7 4.3

G 3 Jermaine Boyette6-2 185 So. 20.0 3.3

G 23 Quynn Tebbs 6-1 185 Sr. 6.2 2.2

Scouting Weber State

Weber State returns two starters and nine lettermen from last year's 18-10 team in the first year under coach Joe Cravens. The Wildcats enter Thursday's game with a 5-4 overall record and a perfect 3-0 home mark. The Wildcats have wins over UC Riverside, Morris Brown and Boise State in the Dee Events Center this year. Other wins include a neutral court victory over Anderson at the Ball State tournament and a road win over Utah (79-77) in Salt Lake City. Weber State is 1-2 versus instate opponents this year. The two losses were both on the road. The Wildcats lost at Southern Utah (78-69) and are coming off a loss at Utah State Saturday (89-77). Weber State is led by sophomore point guard Jermaine Boyette, who is averaging 20 points per game since joining the team four games ago. He sat out the first five games. Boyette has been the team's leading scorer in the last three games. He had a season-high 27 points to lead the Wildcats to the upset win at Utah and has followed with games of 20 and 19 points, respectively, vs. Boise State and Utah State. He had 14 points in his debut at UC Riverside. The Wildcats are 2-2 since adding Boyette to the lineup. The Wildcats top returning scorer from last year, sophomore center Stephan Bachmann, also scores double figures this year with a 13.7 average after nine games. Three other players score at least nine points per game, including senior swingman Damon King (9.6), junior reserve forward Chris Woods (9.1) and sophomore reserve guard Stevie Morrison (9.1). Woods leads the Wildcats on the boards with 6.5 rebounds per game. In addition to Boyette, King and Bachmann, the Wildcats will likely start two Utah products in sophomore Jake Shoff (Alpine) at one forward and senior Quynn Tebbs (Salt Lake City) at the other guard spot. Shoff scores 7.6 points and Tebbs adds 6.2. Senior forward Ivan Gatto, a starter last year, is coming off the bench this year for 6.3 points and four rebounds.

Series History

BYU leads the series, 16-9. The Cougars won the last meeting in Provo, 66-53, to win the 1999 Cougar Classic. The Wildcats jumped out to a big early lead and held on to win the last meeting in Ogden, 83-80, on Nov. 19, 1998. The Cougars and Wildcats first played during the 1973-74 season with BYU winning a close contest, 77-76, in Provo. With the exceptions of the 1978-79 and 1979-80 seasons, the two teams have since played each other on an annual basis. The Cougars have not fared well on the road during the series, having suffered all nine losses in the series in the 12 meetings in Ogden. BYU is 13-0 vs. Weber State in Provo. The Series has had four overtime contests, two at each venue with the home team coming out on top in all four extra-period contests. The last overtime game was an 83-77 Wildcat win in Ogden Dec. 8, 1992. The other overtime game in Ogden was the only double-overtime game, an 84-81 Weber State win on Jan. 6, 1983. Weber State has won the last four games in Ogden as the team's have traded home-court wins since the 1991-92 season. BYU's last win at the Dee Events Center was a 69-57 victory on Nov. 29, 1990.

Common 2000 Opponents

BYU and Weber State have both played Southern Utah, Boise State and Utah State thus far this year. BYU is 3-0 in those games while the Wildcats are 1-2 with an overtime win over Boise State. Both of Weber State's losses were on the road. None of BYU's wins were on the opponent's home court. Weber State also defeated Utah, who BYU will play at least twice this year as Mountain West Conference members.

WSU Quick Facts:

General Info

Location: Ogden, Utah

Enrollment: 15,000

Nickname: Wildcats

Colors: Purple and White

Home Arena: Dee Events Center (12,000)

Conference: Big Sky

Basketball Info

Head Coach: Joe Cravens

Alma Mater: UT-Arlington, 1977

Best time to call: Weekday mornings

Office Phone: 801-626-6496

Overall Record (Years): 78-66 (6th year)

Record at School (Years): 23-14 (1)

Assistant Coaches: Kirk Earlywine, Mark Leslie, John Stroia

1999-2000

Overall Record: 18-10

Conf. Record/Finish: 10-6 (4th)

Final Ranking/Post Season Finish: N/A

2000-2001

Lettermen Returning/Lost: 2/3

Starters Returning/Lost: 9/5

Returning Starters (last year's stats)

Stephan Bachmann, 6-10, 240, So., C (10.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

Ivan Gatto, 6-10, 220, Sr., F (7.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

Media Relations

Basketball Contact: Brad Larsen

Office: 801-626-6010

Home: 801-776-5376

E-mail: blarsen3@weber.edu

Fax:801-626-6490

Press Row: 801-626-6588

Athletic Web Site: www.weber.edu/athletics

2000-01 Schedule

11/17 UC Riverside 82-59 W

11/20 at Southern Utah 69-78 L

11/22 Morris Brown 87-59 W

12/1-2 at Ball State Tourney

vs. Princeton 60-65 (OT) L

vs. Anderson 81-73 W

12/5 at UC Riverside 68-89 L

12/9 at Utah 79-77 W

12/16 Boise State 88-80 (OT) W

12/23 at Utah State 77-89 L

12/28 BYU

1/4 Cal State Northridge

1/6 Northern Arizona

1/9 at Portland State

1/11 at Sacramento State

1/18 Montana State

1/20 Montana

1/25 Idaho State

1/27 at Eastern Washington

2/1 at Cal State Northridge

2/3 at Northern Arizona

2/8 Eastern Washington

2/10 Portland State

2/15 at Montana

2/17 Sacramento State

2/24 at Morris Brown

3/1 at Idaho State

3/3 at Montana State

3/8-10 at Big Sky Tournament

BYU TEAM NOTES

Cougars 2-0 vs. Instate Opponents this Season

BYU is 2-0 vs. instate opponents this year, defeating Southern Utah and Utah State two weeks ago at home. The Cougars will play their first instate road game Thursday vs. Weber State with the hope to remain the only unbeaten team against instate rivals this season.

BYU Holds on vs. Southern Utah

Despite scoring just three field goals in the entire second half, BYU turned up the defensive effort--recording three blocked shots in the final two minutes of play--to preserve a 58-52 victory over Southern Utah Thursday at the Marriott Center. On offense, the Cougars were unable to get into any kind of rhythm against the pressure of Southern Utah's matchup zone. BYU was just 10-31 shooting on the night, tying an all-time low for field goals made set back in 1982 in a pre-shot clock loss to Wyoming in the Marriott Center, 27-25. The Cougars struggled from the three point line as well, shooting just 25 percent (3-12) for the game. Terrell Lyday led all scorers with a season-high 24 points, including 12-16 free throws. Eric Nielsen contributed a season high 15, going 7-8 from the line. But to make up for their offensive struggles, BYU managed to make 46 trips to the foul line, falling just one attempt short of a Marriott Center record. The Cougars converted 35 free throws, including 25-34 in the second half, to keep themselves in the game. The two teams were whistled for 49 fouls, and three players fouled out of the game. SUU lost backup center Chris Wallin with seven and a half minutes to play, and starting center John Wheeler, who was plagued with foul trouble the entire game, left with 5:15 to go in the game. Still, BYU was unable to take advantage of the size difference. After taking a five-point lead into the locker room at halftime, BYU opened the margin up to as much as 12 points late in the second half. But Southern Utah hung around, and went on a 9-0 run to close to within three, 52-49, with just 3:12 left in the game. But BYU blocked three consecutive shots in a 40-second span, and converted five of eight free throws in the final minute of play to hold on for the win.

Cougars Edge Utah State

Trent Whiting scored a game-high 22 points in his long-awaited BYU debut, and Mekeli Wesley knocked in two free throws with eight seconds to play while also scoring 22 points, as the Cougars held off Utah State 69-67 at the Marriott Center. BYU improves to 6-2 on the season with the win, while the Aggies drop to 6-2. Whiting made an immediate impact in the Cougar offense, starting in his first game back since transferring from Utah last season. He and senior Nate Knight, a Sandy, Utah native who transferred from Kentucky last year as well, became eligible Friday when the fall semester ended. Knight also saw significant action in his first game for the Cougars, finishing with six rebounds in 18 minutes of play. The Cougars started the game 5-5 from three point range, as Whiting drained his first three shots from downtown and Wesley added two long-range jumpers of his own. Mekeli finished with 22 points, including 2-3 on three point attempts, and Whiting went 4-7 from behind the arc. BYU led by as much as 12 points in the early going, but Utah State battled back to take the lead for only the second time in the game with just 36 seconds remaining in the first half. But an NBA-range bomb by Whiting at the buzzer sent the Cougars into the locker room with a 41-40 halftime lead. Utah State came out firing in the second half, taking a 42-41 lead on a dunk by center Dimitri Jorssen just over a minute into the half. The Aggies maintained the lead for almost the entire half. But with 3:23 left to play, Terrell Lyday hit a clutch three pointer to bring the Cougars within two. On the ensuing Aggie possession, Whiting stripped the ball from point guard Bernard Rock and took it the length of the floor for a layup to tie the game at 63-63. With 39 seconds left, and the game tied at 67-67, the Cougars tried to free up Whiting for a three pointer. His attempt from the corner hit the back of the rim and bounced out near the free throw line. But Travis Hansen outleaped an Aggie defender to capture the offensive rebound and maintain possession for BYU. Wesley's two free throws with just eight seconds left gave BYU its first lead of the second half, and proved to be the difference in the final score.

Last Week Recap

Yahoo! Sports Invitational

Laie, Hawaii

Dec. 21-23, 2000

Cougars Open with 83-67 Win

over Boise State

LAIE -- He was listed as questionable entering Thursday's game because of a sprained ankle but once the ball tipped Terrell Lyday proved he had all the answers, scoring a season-high 25 points to lead BYU to a 83-67 win over Boise State at the Yahoo! Sports Invitational in Laie, Hawaii. Lyday quickly put any doubts aside scoring 20 first-half points to give the Cougars a 39-32 lead at the break. Despite turning his other ankle (left) in the second half he did returned to the game to finish with the game-high 25 points. Wesley and Whiting helped Lyday carry the scoring load, scoring 19 points apiece as the three BYU starters combined for 63 of BYU's 83 points. The Cougars built their lead to 15 points in the first six minutes of the second half but saw that advantage trimmed to only four points by the Broncos at the 11 minute mark. Wesley responded with two buckets inside, Whiting knocked down back-to-back threes, and Lyday followed with a trey during an ensuing 13-4 BYU run to give the Cougars a 67-54 edge with just over eight minutes remaining. The run not only broke the Broncos' momentum but also proved to brake their backs as Boise State did not threaten BYU the rest of the way. The Cougars were fluid offensively, shooting 53.5 percent from the floor, while making a season-high nine treys. BYU shot 60 percent from behind the arc. Wesley had a team-high seven rebounds and Nathan Cooper and Nate Knight made solid contributions off the bench. Cooper had six points and five boards while Knight added six points and four rebounds.

Cougars Fall 77-71 as Iowa State had Good Fortune

LAIE -- BYU held Iowa State's leading scorer, Martin Rancik, to only seven points Friday but Cyclone coach Larry Eustachy had some good fortune sitting on his bench. Seldom-used freshman point guard Zach Fortune scored 10 points in 12 minutes to help No. 26 Iowa State hold off the Cougars 77-71 at the Yahoo! Sports Invitational in Laie, Hawaii. The Cougars and Cyclones each had big runs during the game but in the end Iowa State and Fortune made more big shots to earn the chance to play for the Yahoo! Sports Invitational title. Senior Mekeli Wesley led BYU to a 31-29 half-time edge with 15 points in the first 20 minutes. The Cougars took their biggest lead at 39-33 several minutes into the final half before a huge 18-0 Cyclone scoring run seemed to bury the Cougar hopes. But BYU fought back with its own 20-8 run to turn the 51-39 deficit into an even tally at 59-59. Iowa State was able to hold on thanks largely to the shooting of its second point guard option off the bench. Fortune was forced to take shots with the Cougars double-teaming the big Cyclone post. He made good on his opportunity by making 3-4 attempts, including two big treys, to score 10 points. Iowa State shot a sizzling 56.5 percent for the game, including 5-11 threes. Jamal Tinsley led Iowa State with 17 points. BYU had to deal with foul trouble guarding the much bigger Cyclones. Three starters, Wesley, Trent Whiting and Nate Knight all fouled out and Eric Nielsen, who came off the bench for the first time this year, was whistled four times. The Cougars started the game with five seniors, as forwards Nate Cooper and Knight got the assignment. Wesley led all scorers with a season-high 26 points while Lyday and Whiting contributed 18 and 12 points, respectively. Knight had six points and a team-high five rebounds while Travis Hansen came off the bench to add nine points as only five Cougars made it to the scoring column. BYU shot 42.9 percent for the game. Lyday and Whiting had the most trouble finding the mark, shooting a combined 9-30 from the floor. The Cougars went 4-16 on three-pointers after making a season-high nine treys in the same arena during Thursday's win over Boise State. Lyday was a solid 3-7 on three-pointers to extend his consecutive games streak with a made trey to 14, dating back to last year. Lyday set the BYU record of 21 straight games last season. Hansen was the only other Cougar to connect from behind the arc, going 1-1. Whiting did not make a trey for the first time in three games, going 0-5.

Cougars Lose Lead, Game 70-67 to No. 13 USC

LAIE -- BYU suffered its second heartbreaking loss in two nights to a ranked opponent as it fell 70-67 to No. 13 USC at the Yahoo! Sports Invitational on Saturday. The Cougars played an outstanding first half and led by 18 points at the break thanks in part to two technical fouls and ejection of Trojan head coach Henry Bibby. The Cougar's defense also held USC to 27 percent shooting and 23 points in the first half. But USC came out in the second half a different team and began to pound the ball inside to its physical front line of Brian Scalabrine and Sam Clancy. BYU, who led for 37 minutes of the game, relinquished its lead with three minutes to play on a Clancy fade-away jumper. But the Cougars didn't let the game slip away. Terrell Lyday hit a three pointer with under two minutes left to play to cut a Trojan four-point lead to one. Then on USC's next possession the Trojans were called for an offensive foul and BYU had a chance to take the lead with a minute to play. As the shot clock wound down freshman Jake Chrisman found himself open and missed a 10-foot jump shot. USC rebounded with 42 seconds left and a one-point lead. It looked as if the Cougars might make the defensive stand but 5-foot-9 point guard Brandon Granville went baseline and made the lay-in with no time on the shot clock. The Cougars had one last chance with seven seconds left, but attempts to set up Trent Whiting for a final shot took too long and time expired before he could attempt a field goal. USC got to the foul line 35 times with Scalabrine taking 16 of the Trojan's foul shots. Eric Nielsen and Nate Knight both fouled out. Wesley, who led BYU with 19 points, played his third impressive offensive performance of the tournament and was one of five players named to the All-Tournament Team. He was 7-10 from the field, but only played 25 minutes because of foul trouble. Lyday was solid as well scoring 17 and connecting on four assists for the Cougars. Whiting and Eric Nielsen also scored in double figures for BYU with 12 and 10 points respectively.

BYU Starting Lineup (Record)

Montague, Lyday, Cooper, Nielsen, Wesley (5-1)

Whiting, Lyday, Hansen, Nielsen, Wesley (2-0)

Whiting, Lyday, Cooper, Wesley, Knight (0-2)

Montague, Lyday, Cooper, Wesley, Dawes (0-1)

BYU's record when . . .

BYU leads at half 7-2

Opponent leads at half 0-2

Score tied at half 0-0

BYU leads with 5 minutes left 6-1

Opponent leads with 5 min. left 1-3

BYU leads with 1 minute left 6-0

Opponent leads with 1 min. left 1-4

Score tied with 1 minute left 0-0

Game goes into overtime 0-0

BYU out rebounds opponent 3-0

Opponent out rebounds BYU 3-4

BYU and opponent tie in rebounds1-0

BYU shoots 50 % or better 3-0

Opponent shoots 50 % or better 0-3

BYU out shoots opponent 7-1

Opponent out shoots BYU 0-3

Whiting, Knight Made Strong BYU Debuts

Transfer players Trent Whiting (Utah) and Nate Knight (Kentucky) made their Cougar debuts Dec. 16 vs. Utah State in the Marriott Center. Both players had to sit out the first seven games of the year while waiting to become eligible after transferring from other division I schools during last fall. Whiting scored a game-high 22 points on 7-11 shooting, including 4-7 threes, in a team-high 39 minutes in his debut while Knight made a solid contribution with five points and six rebounds in 18 minutes. Neither player had played in a game for more than a year since transferring last fall.

Added Offense

BYU has received a shot in its offensive arm since Trent Whiting and Nate Knight joined the lineup Dec. 16 vs. Utah State. BYU has averaged 72.5 points per game in the four games the two transfer seniors have played for the Cougars. BYU had failed to score 60 points in three of the four games prior to their debuts and was averaging 69.1 points per contest overall. Excluding the 100-point effort in the season-opening win over Elon College, BYU was averaging 64 points in the other six games before Whiting and Knight became eligible. Whiting has been the primary difference, averaging 16.2 points while Knight has added 4.8 points in a more limited 16.5 minutes per game.

Streaks

The Cougars have lost their last two games, both single-digit defeats to nationally ranked teams. The Cougars have lost consecutive games twice this year and had back-to-back losses on three occasions last season. BYU has not lost more than two consecutive games since losing three straight in February of the 1998-99 season. BYU won five straight games between its two sets of losses this year. BYU is 0-2 in true away games this year. The Cougars have a 10-game home winning streak dating back to last year when the Cougars won their final five contests in the Marriott Center. BYU is 5-0 at home this season. BYU's last home loss was to New Mexico (78-74) on Feb. 17, 2000.

Closer Contests

After having the first six games of the year decided by more than 10 points, four of BYU's last five games have been single-digit outcomes, including two home wins over instate opponents Southern Utah (58-52) and Utah State (69-67). BYU is coming off losses to No. 13 USC (70-67) and No. 26 Iowa State (77-71) at the Yahoo! Sports Invitational. The Cougars only double-digit game in the last two weeks was a 16-point triumph over Boise State in Hawaii.

Magical 70

BYU is a perfect 7-0 when holding its opponent's below 70 points but is 0-4 when the opposition has scored 70 points or more. USF and ASU scored 80 points while Iowa State tallied 77 and USC 70 in the four Cougar defeats. BYU has held opponents to a combined average of 57.3 in its seven wins and 76.8 in its four losses. BYU has scored 73.4 (+16.1) in seven wins and 65.0 (- 11.8) in its four losses. Overall, BYU is averaging 70.4 points this season while allowing 64.4.

Trends

BYU has committed more turnovers than dished out assists in each of the last three games and six times overall. BYU is 3-3 in those games. ... Mekeli Wesley, Terrell Lyday and Trent Whiting have each scored in double figures in the last three games. Wesley and Whiting have had double-digits in the last four. Overall, Wesley has 10 double-figures games and Lyday nine. The only other Cougar to reach double figures in the last four games is Eric Nielsen, who had 10 vs. USC Saturday. ... The Cougars have allowed double-digit offensive rebounds in each of the last six games and BYU has only grabbed single-digit offensive boards in the last six games. Overall BYU's opponent's have grabbed 10 or more offensive boards in nine games, while BYU has had double-digit offensive caroms in three games. BYU has a 6-2 record when being beaten on the offensive glass, with the two losses coming last week vs. Iowa State and USC.

Wesley Recognized for Outstanding Play

BYU senior forward Mekeli Wesley was named to the Yahoo! Sports Invitational All-Tournament Team last week while averaging 21.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in three games. He was named the Mountain West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week Dec. 11 after leading the Cougars to a pair of victories over Rice and Florida International. Wesley, a Provo, Utah (Provo HS) product, averaged 18.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and shot 60 percent (15-of-25) from the field in the two games that week. In the 78-50 victory over Florida International, he shot 50 percent (7-for-14) from the field and shared game-high scoring honors with 16 points. Wesley also grabbed four rebounds and had two steals vs. the Golden Panthers. On Saturday, he went 8-for-11 from the floor, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range, and led the Cougars with 21 points in the 59-49 win at Rice. Wesley also pulled down four rebounds and had two blocks. This is Wesley's first MWC player of the week honor of this season and the second of his career.

BYU Signs Two Players in the Fall

BYU Head Basketball Coach Steve Cleveland announced Nov. 16 that two players have committed to join the Cougar program beginning next season. Cleveland has received NCAA Letters-of-Intent from all-state forward/center Jared Jensen and former all-state point guard Shawn Opunui, who had previously committed to the Cougars before departing on an LDS Church mission. A 6-foot-9, 240-pound center from Plain City, Utah, Jensen is entering his senior season at Fremont High School where he scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds per game as a junior. Jensen earned Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News All-State honors and Ogden Standard Examiner All-Area recognition last season while being named Team MVP of the Silver Wolves. A 4.0 student who plans to major in engineering, Jensen is a talented offensive post player who has started at Fremont High since mid-way through his freshman season. Opunui, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound point guard, previously announced his intent to play at BYU during his senior season at Orem High School. After returning from a mission, Opunui has signed to join the Cougars for the 2001-02 season. Widely regarded as the best high school point guard in Utah while at Orem High, the all-state guard scored 21.7 points per game for the Tigers while dishing out more than six assists per contest. A strong offensive player and solid defender, Opunui shot nearly 91 percent from the free throw line, third best in state history, and 40 percent on three-point attempts. His 401 assists put him on the state's top-10 all-time list.

Injuries Play Role as Three Players Plan to Redshirt the 2000-01 Season

BYU Head Basketball Coach Steve Cleveland announced Nov. 17 that three players on this year's team - Garner Meads, Jesse Pinegar and Bart Jepsen - plan to redshirt during the 2000-01 season. Meads and Pinegar are both freshmen members of last year's top-20 recruiting class while Jepsen is a sophomore who returned from an LDS Church mission this summer. All three players have experienced injuries that have factored into the decision to redshirt. Meads, a McDonald's High School All-American forward, has had multiple injuries impede his ability to practice. A knee surgery limited his basketball until late summer and a lung injury sustained in only the team's fifth practice has kept the 6-foot-8 forward from any physical activity for the past month. "After meeting with Garner and his family we have determined it is in his best interest to redshirt this season," Cleveland said. "He has not been able to condition because of his lung injury and has also missed nearly all of our practices. He plans to leave on his mission in February, which means he will not enroll in school for the Winter semester." Pinegar, who was a high school teammate of Meads' at Salt Lake City's Brighton High School, suffered a stress fracture in his left foot last week and has a sesmoid (inflamed bone) problem on his right foot. While he will be able to condition and lift weights, the 6-foot-9 forward will not be able to jump and practice for 4-6 weeks. A 6-foot-9 forward, Jepsen has planned on redshirting this year since returning from his mission this summer. While serving his two-year mission, he sustained a broken leg.

PLAYER NOTES

Mekeli Wesley (17.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

Last Game: 19 points, team-best 6 rebounds, 2 assists in 25 minutes vs. USC.

• Wesley was named to the Yahoo! Sports Invitational All-Tournament Team last week while averaging 21.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in three games.

• Wesley was hard to stop last week, going 22-33 (.667) from the floor and 19-23 (.826) from the line. He also made his only three-point attempt. He had games of 19, 26 and 19 points last week.

• After starting the year shooting 34.9 percent in the first four games, he has made shot 60.8 percent in the last seven games going 45-74. He has made at least 50 percent of his attempts in all but one (0-2 vs. SUU) of those seven games while making double-digit attempts. He is now shooting 51.3 percent for the year.

• He was named MWC Player of the Week Dec. 11.

• Wesley has scored in double figures in 10 of BYU's 11 games, including four straight. He has been the Cougars' top scorer or shared the honor in eight of the 11 games, including two of the last three. Last year he had double figures in 30 of 33 games and led the Cougar in scoring in 17 games.

• Wesley is moving up the career free throw charts at BYU. He took 23 free throw attempts last week to move into sixth place on BYU's all-time attempts list with 512. He moved past Mike Smith (491) and Gary Trost (496). Next up is Fred Roberts at 602 attempts. He made 19 free throws last week to move into seventh place with 394 free throws made. He needs to make 38 more to move past Mike Smith (431) into sixth place. This year Wesley has team highs of 64 makes and 82 attempts.

• He has had an offensive rebound in each of the last 10 games and is tied with Nathan Cooper with a team-best 19 offensive boards.

• Wesley did not make a field goal for the third time in his career vs. SUU, taking only two shots vs. SUU's zone. Of the three outings, Thursday's game was the only time BYU won when Wesley did not connect from the floor and it was also the most minutes (31) he has played in a game without making a field goal. Ironically, the two previous times he did not make a field goal he also failed on only two attempts. He was 0-2 vs. Colorado State with no rebounds while playing 11 minutes in a 55-44 loss on Jan. 17, 1998 during his freshman season. In his second game back as a sophomore, he went 0-2 in 11 minutes, going 3-4 from the line in an 82-75 loss at UC Irvine on Dec. 22, 1998.

WESLEY CAPSULE: A preseason All-Mountain West Conference selection, Wesley enters his senior year as the only player on the roster to have played in each of head coach Steve Cleveland's three previous seasons ... a three-year starter, he has developed into one of the top players in the Mountain West Conference with good scoring ability from both the post and the perimeter ... he earned second-team All-MWC honors as a junior and was on the WAC Newcomer Team as a freshman ... he has bulked up between his junior and senior seasons and is in the best shape of his career ... he missed part of his sophomore season while attending Salt Lake Community College for a semester and struggled to regain his freshman form ... a team captain, he returned to lead BYU in rebounding and was nine points shy of Lyday in scoring last year ... he will again be asked to provide leadership as a primary scorer and rebounder.

2000-01 BIO: Wesley had 19 points, team-best 6 rebounds, 2 assists in 25 minutes vs. USC ... season-high 26 points with 4 rebounds in 33 minutes vs. Iowa State ... 19 points, game-high 7 rebounds in 23 minutes vs. Boise State ... came out on fire making 7-8 first half shots, including 2-3 treys, for 16 points in 20 minutes on his way to a game-high 22 points with 2 rebounds, 2 assists in 30 minutes vs. USU ... season-low 5 points, team-best 9 rebounds and two timely blocks in the closing moments in 31 total minutes vs. SUU ... named MWC Player of the Week Dec. 11 ... season-high 21 points with 4 rebounds, 2 blocks in 34 minutes vs. Rice ... 16 points, 4 rebounds, season-high 3 assists in 31 minutes vs. FIU ... team-high 11 points, 7 rebounds in 30 minutes at ASU ... a season-high 20 points and 5 rebounds, 2 assists in 32 minutes vs. USF ... recorded career highs of 12 rebounds and five blocks against UCSB while recording his fifth career double double (first of season) with 11 points ... had a team-high 19 points, 3 rebounds in 21 minutes vs. Elon College, making all five of his field goals.

Terrell Lyday (15.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Last Game: 17 points, 2 rebounds, season-high 4 assists in 34 minutes vs. USC.

• Lyday had his best week of the year last week despite having two ankle sprains. He averaged 20 points, 2.7 points, 2.3 assists and 2.3 steals in three games. He scored a season-best 25 points vs. Boise State.

• He has reached double figures points in three straight games and nine of 11 overall this year. He has reach double figures in all but five games since joining BYU last year.

• He has made a three in each of BYU's 11 games this year. He has made multiple threes in seven of the 11games, including 4-7 vs. Boise State and 3-7 vs. Iowa State last week. He has made a trey in 15 straight games dating back to last season. Last year he made a two or more treys in 20 of 33 games and set a BYU record with a trey in the first 21 games of the season.

• Lyday shot only 22.4 percent from the floor and 16.7 on threes in BYU's fist three games away from the Marriott Center but last week shot 45 percent (18-40) from the floor and 50 percent (8-16) on threes in three games in Hawaii. Overall, he is shooting 36 percent from the floor and on threes in all games.

LYDAY CAPSULE: Lyday enters his senior season after exciting Cougar fans with a strong first season upon transferring from Fresno City College ... a preseason All-Mountain West Conference selection, he is a MWC Player of the Year candidate and considered the top guard in the league ... he was named MWC Newcomer of the Year last year ... athletic with a smooth jumper, he is a scorer who can finish inside or consistently knock down shots from the outside ... quick with good hands, he is an outstanding defender who led the MWC in steals last year ... he will be a go-to player for the Cougars in his final season.

2000-01 BIO: Lyday had 17 points, 2 rebounds, season-high 4 assists in 34 minutes vs. USC ... 18 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals in 32 minutes vs. ISU ... season-highs of 25 points and four steals with 4 rebounds, 2 steals in 36 minutes vs. Boise State despite a sore ankle ... had a career-low 5 points, with 2 rebounds, 2 assists in injury -shortened (sprained right ankle) 26 minutes vs. USU ... game-high 24 points, season-high 4 rebounds, career-high 2 blocks in 39 minutes vs. SUU ... 10 points, 3 rebounds in 37 minutes vs. Rice at the Compaq Center ... 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 31 minutes vs. FIU ... 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists in 38 minutes at ASU ... 16 points, no rebounds, 1 assist in 39 minutes at USF ... team-high 21 points, no rebounds, 1 assist in 30 minutes vs. UCSB ... 9 points, 3 rebounds in 23 minutes vs. Elon College ... sat out the last exhibition with a muscle strain in his lower leg and played just over half vs. Elon.

Trent Whiting (16.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.3 apg)

Last Game: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist in 34 minutes vs. USC

• He has reached double figures in all four games he has played this year. He has led the Cougars in scoring once (vs. USU). He averaged 14.3 points last week.

• He plays a team-high 36.5 minutes per game.

• He is shooting 44 percent, 40.7 percent on threes, and 83.3 percent from the line.

• Starting in his BYU debut, Whiting hit his first three shots and made four of five threes to score 14 first half points. He made several big plays in the game. He nailed a buzzer-beating three from 30-plus range to put BYU up 41-40 to end the half. He later made a critical steal and layup to tie the game with 2:40 remaining and made two free throws in the last minute to tie the score again at 67. He was 7-11 from the floor on the night. With Lyday playing only 26 minutes because of an ankle sprain, Whiting played both guard positions, coming out for only one minute.

WHITING CAPSULE: Whiting enters his first year at BYU after transferring from Utah last year ... he will not be eligible to compete until Dec. 16th against Utah State because of transfer rules ... he only played five games at Utah last year because of injury ... a NJCAA All-American at Snow College, he can play either guard position ... expected to be a key contributor, he is a gifted outside shooter with excellent range and a conditioned athlete with a strong vertical leap.

2000-01 BIO: Whiting had 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist in 34 minutes vs. USC ... 12 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal in 38 minutes vs. Iowa State ... 19 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal in 35 minutes vs. Boise State ... career-high 22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists in team-high 39 minutes vs. USU in his BYU debut.

Nathan Cooper (4.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Last Game: Did not score with 3 rebounds, 1 steal in 25 minutes vs. USC.

• After starting the first seven games, he came off the bench vs. USU and Boise State before returning to the starting lineup in BYU's last two games. He did not score in the last two games, taking only three shots.

• After averaging 7 points over the first six games, Cooper has averaged 2.0 points over the last five, three times going scoreless in a more limited role. His best game of the stretch was a 6 point, 5 rebound effort off the bench vs. Boise State.

• He is shooting 55.2 percent overall this year and is 3-7 on threes (.429). After being last year's top Cougar (.778) from the free throw line, he is shooting 65.4 percent (17-26) from the line this year. He has never averaged less than 74 percent (as a freshman) from the line over the course of a season.

• Making hustle plays, Cooper grabbed five offensive boards last week among his 11 rebounds. All three of his rebounds vs. Utah State came off the offensive glass. On the year is tied with Wesley with a team-best 19 offensive rebounds, one behind Mekeli Wesley. He is second to Wesley in total rebounds with 49 (4.5 per game).

COOPER CAPSULE: Cooper returns for his senior season as one of the team captains ... he is a versatile player who has a solid outside shot and a willingness to mix it up inside ... he has been considered the heart of the team because of his tough, scrappy nature and competitive desire ... he was the team's top free throw shooter last year... tendonitis in his knee limited his off-season play ... he has been a solid contributor in each of his first three seasons, both as a starter and off the bench.

2000-01 BIO: Cooper did not score with 3 rebounds, 1 steal in 25 minutes vs. USC ... did not score, 3 rebounds, 1 steal in 19 minutes vs. Iowa State ... 6 points, 5 rebounds in 22 minutes vs. Boise State ... 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in season-low 14 minutes vs. USU ... did not score, taking only one shot, with 1 rebound, 1 steal in 18 minutes vs. SUU ... 10 points, 4 rebounds, season-high 4 assists in 29 minutes vs. Rice ... had 7 points, 7 rebounds in 21 minutes vs. FIU ... had 5 points, 5 re bounds in 19 minutes at ASU ... had 4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists in 31 minutes at USF ... had 6 points, 6 rebounds vs. UCSB in 28 minutes ... had 10 points and 7 rebounds in 20 minutes vs. Elon College, going 3-3 from the floor, including 1-1 on threes, and hit 3-4 free throws.

Eric Nielsen (6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Last Game: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal in 20 minutes vs. USC.

• After not scoring for the first time this year vs. Iowa State, he scored 10 points vs. USC. He has reached double figures twice this year and his fourth on the team in scoring at 6.5 points per game.

• He attempted only seven last week in three games and game off the bench for the first time in the last two games. He averages 3.5 attempts per game.

• He is shooting a team-best 63.2 percent from the floor. Last year he had the eighth best season field goal percentage in BYU history at 57.8. He currently ranks fifth all-time at BYU in career field goal percentage among starters having made 55.4 percent (179-323) in his two-plus seasons.

NIELSEN CAPSULE: Nielsen came on strong at the end of last season and is expected to be a major contributor during his junior season ... a two-year starter, he played on the 1-25 1996-97 team and, after returning from an LDS Church mission, on last year's 22-11 NIT quarterfinalist squad ... an intelligent player with a good mid-range jumper, he returns for his junior year physically much stronger and has improved his shooting.

2000-01 BIO: Nielsen had 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal in 20 minutes vs. USC ... no points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal in 23 minutes vs. ISU ... 2 points, no rebounds, 1 block in 15 minutes vs. BSU ... 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists in 21 minutes vs. USU ... season-high 15 points with 4 rebounds in 35 minutes vs. SUU ... 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist in 19 minutes vs. Rice ... 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists in season-high 32 minutes vs. FIU ... season highs of nine points and nine rebounds in 31 minutes at ASU ... 4 points, 2 rebounds in 8 minutes at USF, fouling out ... 3 points, 2 rebounds in 12 foul-trouble limited minutes vs. UCSB ... 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists in 25 minutes vs. Elon College ... 3 assists vs. Elon College matched his season high of last season.

Travis Hansen (5.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg)

Last Game: 5 points in 16 minutes vs. USC.

• He came off the bench the last two games after started for the previous two. He came off the bench in the first seven games.

• He played less than 20 minutes in all three games last week after playing more than 20 minutes in each of the previous three games. He playing less than 20 in the first five games. Overall, he averages 17.3 minutes per game.

• He scored a career-high 9 points vs. Iowa State after having scored 8 points four times this year. He is fifth on the team in scoring with a 5.2 average.

HANSEN CAPSULE: Hansen enters his first season at BYU and should make an immediate impact ... he enrolled this fall after sitting out a redshirt season last year upon return from his LDS Church mission ... he played at Utah Valley State College as a freshman ... he is one of the most athletic players on the team ... he is a scorer who has nice range from outside and can slash to the basket effectively ... his explosive athleticism will be highlighted in BYU's motion offense and should improve the Cougars' team rebounding.

2000-01 BIO: Hansen had 5 points in 16 minutes off the bench vs. USC ... career-high 9 points with 3 rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench vs. ISU ... started but did not score with 2 rebounds, 1 assist in 12 minutes vs. BSU ... started for the first time and had 2 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal in 25 minutes vs. USU ... had identical 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 22 minutes lines vs. SUU and Rice ... 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 18 minutes vs. FIU ... had 8 points, 2 rebounds in 17 minutes at ASU .... he did not score and had 3 rebounds, 1 assist in 11 minutes at USF ... had 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist in 18 minutes vs. UCSB ... had 4 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists in 11 minutes vs. Elon College ... After missing the final exhibition game with a groin injury, he only played limited minutes vs. Elon.

Nate Knight (4.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

Last Game: 2 points (2-2 FTs), 2 rebounds in 15 minutes vs. USC.

• He has started the last two games after coming off the bench in his first two Cougar games.

KNIGHT CAPSULE: Knight transferred to BYU from Kentucky ... he becomes eligible to play his senior season on Dec. 16 vs. Utah State because of transfer rules ... he previously played at Utah Valley State College and Oregon State ... he is a hard-nosed player who can create problems for opponents with his ability to run the floor and post up ... he is primarily a power forward but could also play at center ... provides experience and depth to Cougar front line ... his brother Shane played for BYU and brother Travis currently plays in the NBA after a college career at Connecticut.

2000-01 BIO: Knight started and had 2 points (2-2 FTs), 2 rebounds in 15 minutes vs. USC ... got first start, equaled season-best 6 points with 5 rebounds, 1 block in 21 minutes ... season-high 6 points with 4 rebounds in 12 minutes vs. BSU ... 5 points, 6 rebounds in 18 minutes vs. USU in his BYU debut.

Matt Montague (3.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.9 apg)

Last Game: Did not shoot with 2 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal in 11 minutes vs. USC.

• He started the first seven games but has come off the bench in the last four since Trent Whiting made his BYU debut vs. Utah State.

• He started the year making his first eight shots, including 5-5 on threes, then made 5 of his next 8 shots, 1-2 on threes, but is 0-10 from the floor in the last six games. He is still shooting a strong 50 percent overall from the floor and on treys attempts (6-12), doubling the number of treys he made all of last year (3-12).

• He has not scored in the last four games and five of the last six. Overall, he has failed to score in six of BYU's 11 games.

• He has a team-best 43 assists (Lyday is next with 17).

MONTAGUE CAPSULE: Montague enters his junior season as the top assist maker on the Cougar roster ... he led the team in assists last year while starting 19 of 33 games ... prior to serving his LDS Church mission, he led the 1996-97 Cougars in assists while starting every game ... a hard-nosed competitor, he sees the floor well and is a great transition passer ... he was slowed some by an achilles injury last year and wasn't able to participate in preseason conditioning fully because of a flair up of the injury.

2000-01 BIO: Montague did not score and only took two shots (both threes) in three games at the Yahoo! Sports Invitational ... played 11 minutes with 2 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal vs. USC, 12 minutes with 2 assists, 2 rebounds vs. ISU, and 30 minutes with 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal and his first-ever block vs. BSU ... did not score (0-1) with 1 assist, 1 steal in season-low 10 minutes vs. USU ... was 0-3 from the floor with 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, career-high 5 steals in 34 minutes vs. SUU ... shot 0-4 and did not score with 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals in 40 minutes vs. Rice ... 8 points, 3 rebounds, season-low 2 assists vs. FIU ... did not score and had 3 rebounds, 3 assists in 28 minutes at ASU ... made his first eight shots of the year over three games, including 5-5 on threes ... had a season-high 12 points with 2 rebounds, 6 assists in 34 minutes at USF ... 9 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists in 33 minutes vs. UCSB ... 6 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists in team-high 30 minutes vs. Elon College, going 2-2 from the floor, both three pointers, marking the first time he has made two treys in a game during his career at BYU ... also had 8 assist and no turnovers and with game-best 3 steals.

Daniel Bobik (3.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg)

Last Game: Did not play vs. USC.

• He did not play for the first time this year vs. USC and played only 1 minute vs. ISU. He has not scored in the four of the last five games in which he has played after getting on the scoreboard in the first five games. He had four points, 4-4 FTs, vs. BSU.

• He has taken only three field goal attempts, all missed threes, in limited play during the last six games. He took only one field goal attempt last week during his eight minutes vs. BSU. The last field goal he made was vs. Florida International on Dec. 7. Since playing a season-high 20 minutes vs. FIU he has played a combined 26 minutes (4.3 mpg) in the last six games.

BOBIK CAPSULE: Bobik has enrolled at BYU for his freshman season after returning from an LDS Church mission to the Dominican Republic ... he was one of the first recruits to sign with BYU under Steve Cleveland ... he is an excellent shooter and good passer with good court awareness who could play either guard position ... he has worked with a personal trainer since returning from his two-year mission to prepare for the season.

2000-01 BIO: Bobik did not play for the first time this year vs. USC ... played only 1 minute vs. ISU ... 4 points (4-4 FTs), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal in 8 minutes vs. BSU ... played 3 minutes vs. USU ... was 0-1 (a trey attempt) with 1 rebound, 1 assists, 1 steal in 9 minutes vs. SUU ... 0-1 (trey attempt) with 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal in season-low 5 minutes v. Rice ... 9 points, 3 rebounds, season-high 3 assists in 20 minutes vs. FIU ... 3 points, 3 rebounds in 16 minutes at ASU ... 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists in 12 minutes at USF ... 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist in 9 minutes vs. UCSB ... 16 points, 1 rebound, 1 assists in 19 minutes in his college debut vs. Elon College and was 5-10 from the floor and 4-4 from the line. He had three more field goal attempts than the next closest Cougar (Terrell Lyday with 7) ... started against EA Sports (Exhibition) in place of injured Terrell Lyday and had 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists ... had 17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists off the bench vs. Team Reebok.

Jacob Chrisman (4.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg)

Last Game: 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist in 11 minutes vs. USC.

• He did not play for the first time this year vs. ISU. He has scored in nine of the 10 game he has played (except SUU). He has had a rebound in 8 of 10 games played (except Rice and SUU). He played only 5 minutes vs. SUU.

• He has made 16-28 (.571) field goals this year.

CHRISMAN CAPSULE: Chrisman could be a significant contributor in his freshman

season ... he is extremely mobile and a strong rebounder ... he is an athletic low post player who can score in multiple ways ... he has developed a nice perimeter game ... a hard worker, he has a knack for the game and finds a way to make plays both on offense and defense ... a slasher-type player who has a nice shooting touch ... he will be primarily a three but could also play some four for the Cougars.

2000-01 BIO: Chrisman had 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist in 11 minutes vs. USC ... did not play for the first time vs. ISU ... 2 points (2-2 FTs), 2 rebounds in 7 minutes vs. BSU ... 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist in 10 minutes vs USU ... did not score or grab a rebound in season-low 5 minutes vs. SUU ... had 2 points and no rebounds in 8 minutes vs. Rice ... 7 points, 4 rebounds in 11 minutes vs. FIU ... 5 points, 3 rebounds in 12 minutes at ASU ... 7 points, 4 rebounds in 15 minutes at USF ... 4 points, 1 block, 1 steal in 23 minutes vs. UCSB ... 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 assist in 20 minutes in his college debut vs. Elon College.

Derek Dawes (1.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg)

Last Game: did not score with 3 rebounds, 1 block in 8 minutes vs. USC.

• He was 0-2 from the floor last week and has only taken four shots in the last seven games in which he has played (played in 9 of 11 games). He is 5-11 on the year from the field.

• He averages 2.8 rebounds in 6.6 minutes per game.

DAWES CAPSULE: Dawes enters his first year of college basketball as one of the most sought-after centers in the West ... he is an active player who runs the floor well and is a good free throw shooter ... he has outstanding shot blocking ability with great timing and good athleticism and size.

2000-01 BIO: Dawes did not score with 3 rebounds, 1 block in 8 minutes vs. USC ... 2 rebounds in 3 minutes vs. ISU ... did not play vs. BSU ... 1 rebound in 4 minutes vs. USU ... 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block in 7 minutes vs. SUU ... he gave a nice contribution vs. Rice despite playing only six minutes. After making a block he came down the court and knocked down a long jumper on his only attempt. He also grabbed three boards (2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block in 6 minutes vs. Rice in Houston) ... did not play vs. FIU ... started at ASU and did not score with 2 blocks, 1 rebound in 6 minutes ... 1 point, 1 rebound in 6 minutes at USF ... 3 points, 4 rebounds in 7 minutes vs. UCSB ... 6 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block in 12 minutes vs. Elon College in his college debut.

Dan Howard (2.0 ppg, 0.8 rpg)

Last Game: Played only 1 minute with 1 foul committed vs. USC.

• He has missed the last three games while recovering from a knee injury. He had played in the previous three games before injuring his knee at practice the day before the Rice game.

• He could play in Hawaii if needed.

• He is 3-4 from both the floor and 2-2 from the line this year.

HOWARD CAPSULE: Howard played four games last year but redshirted after having knee surgery ... he has not had any significant game experience since last playing for his high school team in 1996 ... a hard worker, he has a knack for the ball and could be a factor in his freshman year with his size inside.

2000-01 BIO: Howard played only 1 minute vs. USC, committing a foul ... did not play in the previous five games ... sat out Rice game with knee injury ... 2 points in 4 minutes vs. FIU ... had 2 rebounds in 2 minutes at ASU ... fouled out with 4 points, no rebounds, 1 block after playing a season-high 12 minutes at USF with Eric Nielsen in foul trouble and USF putting a 7-footer on the court ... did not play vs. UCSB ... had 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 block in 5 minutes vs. Elon College.

Ty Shippen (1.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.3 apg)

Last Game: Did not play.

• He has not played in the last seven games.

• After averaging 5 minutes in BYU's first two home wins, he has played only one minute since (at ASU).

SHIPPEN CAPSULE: Shippen joins the Cougars as a walk-on after transferring from Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho ... he is a gifted shooter and can play either guard position ... he is married to the former Kaly Gillette, who plays on the BYU women's basketball team ... he is the younger brother of BYU women's basketball coach Trent Shippen ... he served an LDS Church mission to North Carolina.

2000-01 BIO: Shippen had 1 assist in 1 minute at ASU ... he did not play at USF ... played only two minutes with one turnover vs. UCSB ... had 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists in 8 minutes vs. Elon College.

Jordan Archibald (1.0 ppg, 1.0 apg)

Last Game: Did not play.

• He has only played six minutes this year, all in the season opener vs. Elon College.

ARCHIBALD CAPSULE: Archibald redshirted last year and returns for his freshman season ... he has good size and is a good shooter ... he suffered a broken hand during the off-season and his preseason skill development and conditioning opportunities were further limited due to a fall groin pull.

2000-01 BIO: Archibald had 1 point, 1 assist in 6 minutes vs. Elon College.

Vranes out for the Year

Two-year starting guard Michael Vranes will miss the entire season after a foot injury required two fall surgeries. Vranes played both the point and wing for the Cougars and was the third leading scorer last season and the team's best defender on the perimeter.