College Hoops Player of the Week: Tyler Haws, BYU

Player of the Week: Tyler Haws, BYU

Haws has played well all season for the Cougars, embracing the role as Dave Rose’s go-to guy, but I’m not sure many people expected the Jimmeresque performance that Haws put on in BYU’s 97-71 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday. Haws finished with 42 points on 14-25 shooting, hitting 6-8 from beyond the arc. The 42 points were the most scored by anyone this season (Minnesota’s Andre Hollins had 41 against Memphis back in November) and allowed Haws to join his father amongst the ranks of the Cougars that have broken the 40 point plateau. His dad went for 40 in 1989.

What makes Haws’ performance all the more impressive is that he spent the past two years on a Mormon mission in the Philippines. Not only was he not playing basketball during his time abroad, he wasn’t really working out, either. Everyone knew the kid could play, but the fact that he’s playing at a level where he needs to be seriously considered as the WCC’s Player of the Year at this point in the season is increcible.

The All-They-Were-Good-Too Team

• G: Tracy Abrams, Illinois: The Illini struggled to beat Auburn on Saturday afternoon, but it was no fault of Abrams’. While Brandon Paul struggled to the tune of 3-12 shooting and six turnovers, Abrams was lighting up the Auburn defense. He finished with 27 points, eight boards and five assists, proving that Illinois can win without Paul shouldering the load. Whether they can beat teams better than Auburn with Paul having an off night is another story.

• G: Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga: Pangos has struggled a bit in the early parts of this season. He’s not shooting as well as he did last season, and with the emergence of Kelly Olynyk giving the Zags one of the biggest and most versatile front lines in the country, he’s not playing as big of a role in the Gonzaga offense, either. On Friday night, Pangos busted out of that slump in a win over Baylor, exploding for 31 points while shooting 10-13 from the field and 7-10 from three.

• F: Tucker Halpern, Brown: Providence isn’t exactly a powerhouse this season, but they are a Big East program (for now), and when a team from the Ivy League beats an in-state opponent out of the Big East, it’s a big deal. Halpern is the biggest reason that Brown notched the 69-68 win over the Friars. He had 28 points, hitting 8-15 from beyond the arc, including the game-winner.

• F: Jerelle Benimon, Towson: Benimon became the first player in the country to notch a 20-20 game this season as he finished with 20 points and 21 boards, six of which came on the offensive end of the floor, in a win in overtime at Oregon State. Benimon transferred to the Tigers after spending two years sitting on Georgetown’s bench.

• C: David and Travis Wear, UCLA: As much attention as Shabazz Muhammad and Larry Drew have gotten for their play of late for the Bruins, the reason that UCLA was able to be Missouri was the play of the Wear twins. Travis finished with 22 points on 11-20 shooting while David chipped in 16 points, hitting all seven of his field goal attempts. Their ability to spread the and get out in transition

Bench: Ryan Broekhoff (Valpo), John Brown (High Point), Seth Curry (Duke), Frankie Dobbs (Bryant), Cully Payne (Loyola IL), Russ Smith (Louisville)