BYU To The Final Four

HOOPS: while bashing majerus the zoo readies for final 4

Posted By: aka
Date: Tuesday, 16 April 2002, at 9:20 a.m.

link...

 

Cougar basketball looks to next year's Final Four By Chad Newswander NewsNet Sports Writer 4/15/2002 "There are a lot of question marks about this team," head coach Steve Cleveland said. Those doubts are about to be stifled next year as the men's basketball team makes a run to the Final Four, according to junior guard Travis Hansen and sophomore guard Mark Bigelow. "Seriously, too many people look at our team and don't give us the credit," Bigelow said. "I totally think it is possible to reach the Final Four." Next year, the Cougars will most likely return two starters and have a recruiting class that involves diversity and a winning tradition. Bigelow and Hansen, the leading scorers for the Cougars last year, will return to assume their roles. Bigelow will see his overall game improve and will be a great deal better next year, Hansen said. "He is the best pure shooter on the team," Hansen said. Meanwhile, Bigelow said that Hansen will be one of the best players on the West Coast and it will be his turn to lead to the Cougars. On the recruiting side, they have already signed 6-foot-11center Rafael Araujo from Brazil who is playing in Western Arizona. And they are actively pursing Kevin Woodberry, the point guard from the national junior college champion. "We can make the Final Four," Hansen said. "There is no reason we can't." Others teams have also cut down the nets and arrived to the Final Four without much consideration before the NCAA Tournament started. The University of Indiana was not even ranked before the tournament started. The Hoosiers reached the Final Four and advanced to the championship game until nationally ranked Maryland ended its Cinderella story. Indiana made this run under second year head coach Mike Davis. He was the assistant head coach when Bobby Knight was at the helm of Indiana. In their march to the championship game, the Hoosiers defeated Utah, Duke, Kent State and Oklahoma. If the Cougars are capable of putting up the numbers and reaching the Final Four, then they would receive the national recognition they deserve, Bigelow said. "We won't get that respect, Bigelow said. "And we don't deserve that respect until we put up those numbers." Next year, BYU will have a chance to continue its home winning streak, break its 10-game losing streak on the road and make it to the Big Dance. "It is time to prove everyone wrong," Bigelow said.

Was wondering how long it would take that link to make it here...

Posted By: OhioBlue
Date: Tuesday, 16 April 2002, at 9:32 a.m.

In Response To: HOOPS: while bashing majerus the zoo readies for final 4 (aka)

...and I'm wondering, as well, why Bigelow would say such a thing considering that the Final Four is played on the road. Can't fault him for hoping I suppose.

I have a feeling this one is going to be latched onto, and good, by anti-BYU fans. Ah well (sigh)....maybe he and Reno Mahe should teach a class in what not to say to the press.

I can't even imagine the euphoria. Hunks of Velveeta & PROVOlone would be falling from the sky & people would be engaging in sit-ups in public places. Y’z & exUte would be so excited that they’d spoon while watching an uncensored version of Titanic. (NM)

Posted By: Ute 92
Date: Tuesday, 16 April 2002, at 10:07 a.m.

In Response To: HOOPS: while bashing majerus the zoo readies for final 4 (aka)

Let's clarify. Thats the MWC basketball tournament final four their talking about. (NM)

Posted By: AZUTE
Date: Tuesday, 16 April 2002, at 10:18 a.m.

In Response To: HOOPS: while bashing majerus the zoo readies for final 4 (aka)

No, that would still be a road game - does anyone know, are they running some sort of four-team invitational in Provo this coming season? (NM)

Posted By: Ute King
Date: Tuesday, 16 April 2002, at 10:31 a.m.

In Response To: Let's clarify. Thats the MWC basketball tournament final four their takling about. (NM) (AZUTE)

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