I've heard a lot of comments on CougarBoard over the past week comparing this years team to last years team. Everyone seems so surprised that people would even compare the two teams. I know a lot of you are still in denial that comparison are being made, so I thought I would do an ultimate comparison and show why so many BYU are struggling with this year team.

BYU, under Dave rose and last years team, has had the identity of transition basketball and three point shooting. They also had the identity of being un-athletic (with some exceptions) and small. The typical star player for BYU during these times was a shifty 6-2 or 6-3 guard who could break someone down and score on demand. Three point shooting was a must for this star to make up for lack of athleticism and they were usually a liability on defense. For some examples we can look at Jimmer, Tyler Haws, Elijah Bryant, and TJ haws. Even Yoeli Childs was under sized for his position at 6-8, but he knew how to put the ball in the bucket and developed a three point shot (as is tradition at BYU). These are the types of players that Dave Rose recruited and it worked well for us. We as BYU fans began to expect this. Maybe our guys couldn't dunk in transition, but they could threes all day.

The crutch for almost all of these teams is that they just weren't athletic enough. They would often loose to Power House Programs, and, while they would make the tournament, they couldn't win any games because of the athletes they went up against. The other teams were too big, too fast, and too physical.

Then coach pope moved in, while inheriting 8 seniors who were all brought up in this system. He had a magical year last year and continued the tradition of transition, threes, and bland defense for just that year.

Now this year, we finally get to see what Coach Pope wants to do with this program. He had 8 spots to fill with players he wants. He brought in some Monstars. Richard harward 6-11, Matt harms 7-3, Caleb Lohner 6-8 (same height as yoeli), Gideon George (6-6 with what looks to be a wingspan of 7-0), spencer johnson (6-5, who could be played as a point guard next season). He wants to make this team a team that can complete physically with the power house programs. He wants to recruit the Big athletic guys. Just look at Fousseyni Traore. He's 6-7 (220) and he's a senior in high school!!

The reason old BYU teams made so many threes is because they had too. They had to be quick and fast and hit their shots. This years team has proven to all of us that they no longer need to rely on the three ball. We can push people around now! Just think about Richard Harward last game, destroying the other team down the stretch, or gideon george's monster block in transition.

We, as cougar fans, need some time to adjust to this, because it's not what we know. We haven't seen this from BYU. We are so use to seeing the OLD BYU. This is not the OLD BYU, This is the NEW BYU, so Let's enjoy it! Let's all talk about how Caleb Lohner is going to posterize someone this season. OR how Gideon George has a great turn around J, instead of comparing them to OLD BYU and saying they can't shoot the three. Lets get excited about Defense, and shutting teams down, holding them to 2 points in the last 8 minutes of game play. This is Who we are now. This is THE NEW BYU.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying better three point shooting wouldn't help. I'm saying if that's all your talking about, then your missing the point of this years team.