Selected by just about every college basketball prognosticator to win the WAC title this season, BYU will have one final tuneup before beginning league play next week. The Cougars participate in the Cable Car Classic in San Jose tonight and Friday.
The 7-3 Cougars, still licking their wounds after losing at Weber State last week, will try to get back on track when they face 0-6 San Jose State, a future WAC member, tonight at 9 p.m. MST. The game will be televised live on KBYU-TV.Friday, the Cougs will face either Santa Clara or Alaska Anchorage at either 7 p.m. (if they lose tonight) or 9 p.m. (if they win). Friday's game will be broadcast live on KSL-TV and KSL Radio.
"The Cable Car Classic is a challenge in that you have the equivalent of two home teams to go up against," BYU coach Roger Reid said.
Santa Clara is the official host team, but the tournament has been moved to the new, 18,200-seat San Jose Arena after spending 17 seasons on the Santa Clara campus.
"San Jose State will be excited to be back in town after only one home game so far," Reid said. "Santa Clara played well against Kansas. Alaska Anchorage has been on a roll."
Forward Russell Larson leads BYU with averages of 18.5 points and 7.8 rebounds. All five Cougar starters are averaging double-figure scoring.
BYU will open the WAC season Jan. 3 against Utah in the Marriott Center. The Cougars then head on the road to play Air Force (Jan. 7) and Fresno State (Jan. 9).