PROVO — Dalton Nixon was in the middle of reaching glory as a multifaceted defender, play-setter, rebounder, and 3-point shooter when he crashed at Loyola Marymount last week.
It is a travesty. His injury, a rare double-sided ankle sprain, was a fluke, albeit inflicted by an opponent push while defenseless and in the air. And that makes it more maddening heading into Senior Night on Saturday in the Marriott Center against Gonzaga.
“Dalton is a guy who does the dirty work and others need to get their hands dirty while he’s out.” — Jackson Emery
But for Mark Pope, in his first season as BYU’s head coach, Nixon’s injury is one more chapter and verse in his basketball version of the Biblical character Job.
It follows Yoeli Childs getting suspended nine games for doing a spring job interview, Zac Seljaas busting his foot in Europe last August, TJ Haws having arthroscopic knee surgery before fall camp began, Childs dislocating his finger and missing league games, and Jesse Wade’s knee making him a no-show.
That BYU is ranked 23rd is a miracle. It is a tribute to coaching, player leadership and hard work.
Pope’s staff needs a circus act to replace Nixon’s hustle factor. It will take a team effort, a jersey-clad village going down to the wire this season. You can only imagine the frustration on the part of Nixon and his family to see him at the pinnacle of his career, battling for conference seeding, achieving a national ranking as a team. Then, sitting with a double-ankle sprain for his home finale against No. 2-ranked Gonzaga. During Thursday’s game against Santa Clara, he was on the bench in street clothes with a boot on his foot. Terrible.
How does Pope fill the void left by Nixon? How much can be expected of sophomore Gavin Baxter, fresh off reconstructive shoulder surgery?
Jackson Emery, one of the best defenders in BYU history, pinpoints the challenge.
“Dalton is a stretch four, which Zac (Seljaas) will need to help cover, and he can. He’ll need to continue to allow spacing in that offense. Meanwhile, Zac and Gavin need to help on the defensive side to cover his energy and rebounding. Dalton is a guy who does the dirty work and others need to get their hands dirty while he’s out.”
Jonathan Tavernari, one of the most successful Cougar 3-point shooters ever, calls Nixon a void that can’t be filled on this squad.
“What Dalton brings to this team is irreplaceable,” said Tavernari. “His senior leadership and unselfishness are unmatched. Sacrificing his body on defense is something I’ve only seen Jackson Emery do, and that includes my professional career in Europe and with the national team.”
Baxter’s journey from the surgeon’s table remains an uphill battle.
Mark Durrant, a successful team leader and star in the Roger Reid era now turned radio color man on BYU broadcasts, says Baxter’s return isn’t a quick fix for Nixon’s absence.
“I don’t think we’ll see Gavin anywhere near 100% anytime this season,” said Durrant.
“The big question will be if he will be able to help this team with rim protection and rebounding, two areas (where) they are very weak,” said Durrant. “I think in those two areas he can help immediately. He’ll be particularly helpful with teams like Gonzaga and NCAA Tournament teams to help to match their size and athleticism.
“He can’t replace what Dalton brings, but he can bring things no other BYU player can and it will make a big difference in their biggest games.”
Emery says Baxter needs patience in his comeback from shoulder surgery, but he has a key role.
“Gavin has exceptional athleticism. But let’s not forget that he is continuing to build on his freshman year. He is young in his career, and more important than healing time is playing time. For a young player to be thrown into a tough conference schedule and tournament play is a lot to expect. What would I expect? Eight to 10 minutes per game to rebound, protect the rim, and get some putbacks. The key is to not ask him to do too much.”
Tavernari agrees with Emery that pumping the brakes on Baxter right now is wise.
“Gavin should have many expectations placed on him. There’s physical conditioning form and then there’s basketball playing form. You can’t expect someone who hasn’t played for over six months to have an immediate impact. That’s unfair to ask of Gav. Whatever he gives is a plus.”
Now come the Zags to Provo, one of the nation’s top offenses, with a stellar inside-out game and an army of shutdown defenders.
Any more miracles left in Pope’s bag of tricks?