Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — Between cultural excursions, museum and art gallery tours, and plenty of pizza, what else can the BYU basketball team do over the next week while it visits Italy to prepare for the 2019-20 season?
Oh yeah, maybe play a little hoops.
The Cougars opened the biennial preseason tour each college team can take prior to the season with a 92-64 win Monday against BC Silute, a team that competes in Lithuania's National Basketball League. It’s the first of four games that BYU will play across five nights in Italy, returning home in time for the start of the semester and even before BYU football’s home opener, Aug. 29, against in-state rival Utah.
And while winning is nice, that’s not quite what head coach Mark Pope had in mind for the trip. He wants the Cougars to take a loss, to be dominated and humiliated and hurt so bad that it drives them to get better, sitting with them on the plane ride back to Salt Lake International Airport and into the upcoming season.
It’s why he scheduled a date with one club in Italy’s top division, Serie A.
Then a few days later, he found out that the team had folded.
“That game didn’t work out very well,” Pope cracked to a small group of local media, before adding: “Like every coach in America who gets to do this, I’m way more excited about the extra 10 days of practice. The trip is going to be amazing. We’re doing a lot of fun things, and we’re really enjoying this time on the court together.”
Of course, preseason trips aren’t always about basketball. They’re about bonding, about developing chemistry, and finding out how a team jells together.
That shouldn’t be an issue for the Cougars, senior T.J. Haws admitted.
“I feel like this team is super close off the floor, and we’re getting closer every single day,” Haws said. “Guys like each other, and there’s a good vibe in the gym. But I’m excited to be able to play against someone else.”
The Cougars attended church with a local ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday before heading off to play Stella on Monday. Yoeli Childs, the team’s lead returning scorer and rebounder was there, documenting the day on Instagram.
That’s another good thing about the trip for the Cougars. While Childs will be suspended nine games for failing to administer the correct paperwork when he entered the NBA draft (prior to withdrawing before the NCAA’s draft withdrawal deadline), the Bingham High product will be eligible to play in Italy.
Childs had 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists against BC Silute for the Cougars, who were led by Haws' 23 points and 10 assists on 70 percent shooting.
🎥🇮🇹 BYU vs BC SILUTE HIGHLIGHTS
— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) August 20, 2019
#BYUhoops#GoCougspic.twitter.com/uovl0DcstK
So, too, will Wyatt Lowell and Richard Harward, the two Utah Valley transfers who followed Pope from his previous job. The duo is currently set to sit out the 2019-20 season, per NCAA transfer regulations (along with former Arizona point guard Alex Barcello) — but Pope admitted their cases are still open for a possible appearance at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis.
So it’s all systems go for the Cougars in the Mediterranean.
“I think the excitement and intensity (for Italy) is at 100%,” Childs said. “That’s just what has been brought for this coaching staff: every day is intense. Every play feels like 100%. We’re going to go rip it and give 100%.”
Another newcomer looking to find his role with the team is Jake Toolson. The former BYU wing transferred back to Provo after three years at nearby UVU — but he’s got an advantage on the rest of the team unique to “the new guy.”
He’s been playing with Pope, as well as assistant coaches Cody Fueger and Chris Burgess for a while. He knows their demeanor, their substitution patterns, and even some of the playbook that will likely carry over to Provo.
“It’s a whole new experience for me. I’ve grown a lot being at UVU the last few years, and that’s shaped me into the player and the person I am today,” said Toolson, who averaged 16.7 points per game with 47% 3-point shooting en route to WAC Player of the Year honors as a junior. “The advantage I have, even though I’m the new guy, is that I know this staff. I know what to expect. That’s been very familiar for me. I know some of these guys from when I was here the first time, but my favorite part has been getting to know my teammates.
“I’m really excited to just play with a bunch of good players and great dudes. They’ve really welcomed me, and I’m excited about the things we are going to do together.”
Chemistry and team bonding — the get-to-know-you type of activities — are keys to the Cougars’ Italian giro.
But they’ll get plenty from the basketball, too.
“We’re really getting after it, with some really great competitive practices,” Haws said. “Coach says he really loves how he doesn’t have to coach effort with this team; we’re all excited to get out there and play during this trip.”
