PROVO — In Wednesday night’s 82-64 loss to New Mexico, the third-ranked BYU Cougars looked like they were waiting for ... what? No one wanted to rebound the ball and the 3-point shot was just off, even for Jimmer Fredette.
San Diego State doesn't want to play BYU again and the Cougars have seen way too much of New Mexico this season.
STARTERS
Jimmer Fredette: When Fredette has shot poorly from the field in the past, teammates like Jackson Emery, Brandon Davies and Charles Abouo have stepped up for him. There was no help on this night for The Jimmer, who was 10-of-26 overall and 1-of-9 from deep. He still has the best name in basketball. He also outrebounded Abouo, Emery Anderson and Rogers. Grade: C+
Jackson Emery: On the bright side, Emery's alma mater, Lone Peak, is two wins from a 5A state title in Utah and Jackson's little brother, Nick, scored 36 Wednesday night. But Jackson shot just 4-of-12 and had just three rebounds on a night when the Cougars desperately needed rebounding help. Still, BYU's all-time steals leader sure can play defense. Grade: B-
Charles Abouo: As mysteriously as it came, Abouo's 3-point shooting touch has now departed. A moment of silence for the dear departed. Even worse, Abouo grabbed just three rebounds in 26 minutes as the Cougars got killed on the glass, 45-29. Grade: C-
Noah Hartsock: It would've been a great story: BYU rightfully enforces honor-code violation on Davies. Hartsock steps up his game to show the might of right. Unfortunately, Hartsock was outmatched and sometimes even lost out there. He was 0-fer shooting in the game. Three blocks save the grade from an epic fail. Grade: D
James Anderson: The only difference between Anderson and Hartsock was Anderson wasn't in the game enough to look overmatched. That and he did make an unguarded dunk. But one rebound? One? Grade: D
RESERVES
Logan Magnusson: ‘A’ for effort for the Heber City native (whose Wasatch Wasps won their second straight state 3A title last weekend). But Magnusson lacks the athleticism to stay with all those high-flying Lobos. Grade: C
Stephen Rogers: Rogers hit his first trey of the game and looked like he might be in for a big night. It was fool's gold, though, as he didn't score again in 16 minutes of play. Grade: C-
Kyle Collinsworth: It's hard not to believe he has hit that freshman wall, having now played in more games than ever for the 19-year old. He was scoreless in 19 minutes and turned the ball over twice. He did have two assists, but struggled to secure rebounds like the rest of the Cougars. Grade: C-
Brock Zylstra: He played 11 minutes and scored three points, about what you'd expect from a seldom-used former walk-on. Grade: C
Nick Martineau: Two minutes, no stats. Grade: Incomplete.
Andy Griffin is a southern Utah broadcaster and sports writer and has been involved in covering sports in Utah, including professional, college and high school sports, since 1989.