Yep, big fish in a small pond.
WElcome to the "big pond" with larger fish.

Why is it that every story about BYU losing or narrowly winning a big-time game--regardless of the sport--always includes a line about the team starting the game flat? I absolutely do not get that. It seems to me that coaches spend a lot too much effort in keeping the players from getting too excited. Just once I would like to read about the team being too excited at the start of the game, just to see if the end result is the same. Just a thought.

The game was lost at the foul line, the one and only place on the floor where the player has complete controll of the outcome. Work on it with professional help.

BYU plays the likes of Wyoming, Colorado St., Utah, Air Force. Texas a&m playes Texas, Kansas, and other good teams. BYU's problem is that they do not play anybody good, on a consistent basis. See you in a year.... go FSU!

That's an interesting comment about "a lot of teams lose in the ncaa first round but not very many teams win conference championships."

If you look at Division I, 32 teams will lose an ncaa first round game. There are 31 conferences in Division I. Thus, the number of teams that lose first round ncaa games is about the same as the number of teams that can hang a championship banner from the rafters. If you count shared championships, the number of banners probably exceeds the 32 first round losers.

I simply don't understand the free-throw problem. Most high schools, boys and girls, shoot better than the Cougar team.

I agree with Big Fish completely, but let's not call A&M a large basketball fish. A&M is a football school with a .500 conference record. BYU basketball was completely overrated this year. Yes, they beat an all-american-less Louisville and competed with a Lawsonless Carolina. Other than that, what did do they do? They beat up on a bunch of sorry MWC basketball teams.

I'm weary of this whole thing. I would not expect BYU to EVER get a higher seed until they win. Given their preparation, I don't see it happening anytime soon. Jitters? Come on. Facts say that EVERY big game this year, they chocked and got the "jitters". I'm tired of it. I'm still a Cougar, always will be. But I'm a tired Cougar. Tired of Once and Done. It's old already. Bring on football. Same story there too. Can't win the big one. No. "Beating" UCLA doesn't count. ARG!

Agreed! If Collingsworth, Plaisted and Miles could seek psychological help with mastering their fears of sinking free throws, the Cougs could have won at least 4 more games this year including this one. Elevate them to even a lofty 60% (lofty for them!) from their current average would have won them games this year and more respect. You three now have the off season to excercise these free throw demons so that we don't have to talk about this next year!!! It is now in your hands . . .

I love how Rose tried to put a positive spin on the loss by touting a Mountain West banner. BYU may have won the MWC, but, especially how they keep getting bounced in the first round, they would be at the bottom of most other conferences. It's the same issue with their football team. I recall the year they were crying BCS, then they got worked by a WAC team-Hawaii. What was the spin? Oh yeah, their running back got hurt. Further, the classy response, instead of attempting to reaffirm a past accomplishment, would have been to praise A&M. They wanted it more and won. Give them their props and prepare for next season where, I am sure, the whining will start all over again.

OVER RATED

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Cougar Nation - relax - it's all good. You did what eveyone expected - walked through the MWC and took the big fat crown and choked on it at the big dance. Cinderella doesn't choke!

ESPN Gametime said its been "forever" since BYU has won a first round game. Was Ainge's team the last to do it?

So much said about the Utes playing church ball...Where's your comments today....one and done....all you can say is wait until next year....same o,,,same o,,,,...all we can say GO UTES.

I'm glad the Cougars lost. Now we can all watch the Utes play in the High School Invitational.

I love to hear from all these so called cougar fans tearing down the team. Did they lose? yes. did they win 27 games. YES. If your a cougar fan stop tearing down the team. And to those Ute fans laughing, keep laughing all the way to the middle of the MWC and the Cry Baby Invitational.

Well, it has started, just as expected. All the BYU-haters who are watching their teams at silly post-season tournaments like the NIT or CBI are standing on the sidelines cheering as the real champions take a tough loss at the real tournament. It was a game the Cougs could have and should have won, but such is the nature of college basketball when the team is very good but not great. BYU should be closer to greatness next year with this experience under their belts. Congrats to the Cougs for a very-good-but-not-great year, now let's get ready for some football.

Oh yeh, Congrats to the Utes for beating UTEP in the first game of the CBI (College Basketball Intramurals)!

Yep...choked again on the big stage. Six in a row; how does that taste to you Cougar fan. Enjoy the off season but dont forget to watch the teams that are truly representing the MWC; the Runnin' Rebels and Running Utes. Keep on runnin' UNLV and Utah. Cougs, watch and learn!

Two games in a row that the coaches have fallen down in preparing the team to play. No excuses. BYU made some adjustments and clawed back into the game, but that early hole was just inexcusable. Especially hard to take considering the whining about poor seeding...Learn a lesson from all this, Coach Rose, and learn how to prepare your team to play. That's the advantage UNLV has, Kruger knows how to prepare his team for the big game.

BYU, how does it feel to win the MWC conference and lose each year in the NCAA tournament. DON'T EVER EXPECT ANYTHING HIGHER THAN A 8 SEED, EVEN IF YOU GO 33-0. Nobody watching BYU in the state of Utah, or elswhere in the U.S. will remember the record they had. It's not like A&M is a good team, they're average at best. BYU has no right to talk smack to UTAH UTES fans ever in basketball.

Thursday's results just go to show that the Mtn West is somewhere between a poor mid-major conference and the middle to bottom of a major conference. UNLV beat up on a mediocre mid-major while BYU narrowly lost to a .500 major conference team. BYU's showing completely supports the arguement that the Mtn. West is a nothing conference. The throw in the bad showings by New Mexico and San Diego State in the NIT and it just worsens. Utah's win seems to keep us associated with low level programs and conferences. OUCH!!!

I couldn't agree more with the comments on poor free throw shooting. Rebounding and early shot selection wasn't the best either. I'm a cougar fan but I really don't think these three things have much of an excuse.

it's just a game.

While not traumatized as I would be if the Utes had been in BYU's shoes last night, I take no satisfaction in BYU's loss. The BYU loss is a disaster of MWC basketball. The MWC champions must to better than 1-1 even with their 8 seedings, particularly against a middle of the road, Big Twelve team. There is no hope of respect on a national scale otherwise. This is not just BYU’s problem; San Diego States and New Mexico’s early demise in the NIT further exacerbates the MWC standings amongst conferences. Ardent Ute fans like myself can enjoy Ute success in the CBI, but don’t expect any respect outside or SLC.

Outside of playing the Utes I must hope, root for and expect every MWC football and basketball teams to be competitive, winning non-conference games, particularly their bowls and tournament games.

While I don’t believe blogs have any sway or impact on outcome, a little more support and respect in this forum for our MWC enemies when they represent the MWC during their bowl and tourney games can only help.

No more talk about BYU being the class of the MWC when UNLV is now 3-1 in tourney play in the last two years, Utah was in a Championship game and a Sweet Sixteen in the last decade while Wyoming AND San Diego St. have won games in the tournament since BYU. Heck, even Air Force was in the NIT championhsip game in 2007. BYU needs to realize they're not as good as advertised.

Where's the mental toughness? Why did everyone play scared for the first 6 minutes? Make some free throws for heavens sakes. Say what you will about Majerus' but his teams were ready to play come tournament time. Maybe BYU should petition the NCAA to have their tournament games played at the Marriott Center, then they'd have a Final Four team for sure.

One and done. One and done. One and done. Does BYU belong in the Big 12? Um, no. Does BYU belong in the Pac 10? Um, no.

Congratulations on your success this year. But saying that a conf. championship is great and losing first round is like saying she has a nice spirit.

Does winning a conference championship make you a legitimate power? Not in this case. Compare and contrast to ten years ago. The team from Salt Lake wins the conference. They lose in the national championship game - on the way, beating the likes of West Virginia, Arizona, and North Carolina. I know that they don't hold a candle to the likes of Texas A&M, but I still feel it was impressive. After winning their first conf. title under their 2nd year coach, they progressed to the Sweet 16, in '92. They repeated that several times through the decade, including the trip to the final four and a trip to the elite 8, averaging an 8 seed.

Memo to BYU fan: good season, you did the conference proud, but quit trying to "big time" the rest of us, only to fall short. It's a sign of insecurity.

...and done.

I love it!! Maybe you can pray for additional skills in the off-season. Or even better, how about defacing some additional property? Go Aggies, later Zoobs.

They should have won, the refs are to blame for this loss too.
BYU is always getting hosed by refs.

So much for talk about being an 8 seed! Way to go Belmont! They left their hearts on the court. Kudos to some fine young men.

To those bloggers who are so happy that BYU is out of the tournament so they can watch the UTES play in the high school invitational, so the UTES can go on to their church ball invitational. To the blogger who said that other MWC teams are still playing while the true champions lost a hard fought game and have to go home...You guys are the stuff UTES love to taunt. You just make it so darn easy! Every time you make up a new name for the less prestigious tournaments, talk about how your team is the true champions, whine about the seeding, whine about the refs, whine about losing to UNLV at the UNLV Invitaional, you just make people want to beat you down. Try writing a blog that shows some humility, try admitting that your boys got out played, try not to insult other teams who are still playing, regardless of how you feel about the other tournaments. Before you begin your blog, think long and hard before you hit that SEND button. Do you really want to keep whining aboutall this stuff? It's time to grow up and admit your team laid an egg. (Again)

When you look at it, the only really good basketball and football that has been played in Utah has been under coaches LaVell Edwards, Urban Meyer, Rick Majerus, and Roger Reid.

Why is it that somebody always goes off for a career high against BYU in the first round of the tourney? Why is it UNLV got Kent State who scored 10 points in the first half? Why is it I'm a Cougar fan?

Am I the only one who has noticed the lack of humility in the BYU players? I've always known their fans were arrogant, but lately when I've listened to the players' comments, I've been a little surprised. How many times did Cummard tell the reporter interviewing him that "We're a really good team". We all know that these BYU team players all feel that they're on a higher spiritual plane than the other lowly teams in the league, and they aren't that good at hiding their opinion. I think if we saw more humility from the players and fans BEFORE a big game, we wouldn't get so much enjoyment out of a loss AFTER a big game. You guys pretty much bring these attacks on yourselves.

Funny stuff! You were joking, right? By the way...with two post season losses, I'm confused. It was hard to believe that UNLV was living better than BYU both on and off the court, but now Texas A&M has beaten you guys, too. Time for you boys to climb back up on your high horse! No team in the world should be an even match against all that talent and the higher standard of living you hold yourselves to. It's a puzzler!

I'm optimistic about the immediate future of the BYU Men's Basketball program. They should be better next year, losing only Burgess and Murdock.

It should be a great battle between BYU and UNLV (who will also be much improved) for the conference championship.

Go Cougs!!!

As a USU fan, I just love that the article title is "Aggies send Cougars packing." Okay, so I realize BYU had a better year than USU - BYU made the big dance; congrats on a great season. But I can't help but think that because it had been a longer than normal time period since BYU lost to a team called the Aggies, they were bound to lose. Ironically, BYU could have taken the opportunity to lose to USU in Logan earlier in the year, but refused to go to Logan, so perhaps this was their karmic reward. You reap what you sow, BYU! Looking forward to a very fun game next year with BYU and USU in the building formerly known as the Delta Center.

Seriously though, congrats on a great season Cougs, I wish my Aggies had been in the NCAAs.

The Cougars need a new nickname. How about Flame Out Kings. Or, One and done, again? How about Choke Artists. Please no whining about seeds. You'd think the greatest MWC school could win an NCAA game in 6 or 7 tries. They won the MWC fair and square but they suck in the tournament.

hosed by refs. Yah, right! Who is this Ernest T. Bass guy anyway?

It's me it's me, it's Ernest T!

RISE AND SHOUT WE ARE OUT!!!! AGAIN!!! The question I have is why is Tavernari launching a 3 from near half court when we are only down 4 with 1:30 or so to play??? Horrible shot selection when it mattered. A two and a Stop pleanty of time to force overtime or get the W.

I'm so tired of BYU doing so well in conference and then falling flat on their face in the post-season. Not trying to pile-on, and I know that the players and coaches probably feel the same way. But, why can't BYU win a significant game in the post season? (applies to football as well as basketball)

Frustrating... maybe they should improve their schedule? This year's OOC schedule was pretty strong, but BYU still didn't get respect in the seeding. I suppose that they never will until they can do as my post suggests....

WIN A POST-SEASON GAME!

Definitely one area where BYU can learn from Utah... although I hate to say it.

Congrats on a good comeback last night and for hanging tough after a rough start. I am looking forward to some great basketball over the next few years from the the Ags, the Utes and Coogs. If all three schools can keep their coaches, the programs will continue to improve and start winning in the NCAA tourney. Sorry to be so positive towards our 'enemies' down South, Aggie fans!

Another NCAA appearance, another first round exit. I am not a BYU fan, but I am not a BYU hater either. I root for them when they play anyone other than Utah and Utah State. These last two years I have picked them to move on, believing that they finally have got it right. WRONG AGAIN! Last night left a bad taste in my mouth. They need to realize that they aren't the most athletic team, so what do they need to rely on? Fundamentals, which they fell short on and the end result, another first round exit. They played soft. They got out-hustled. They didn't leave it out there by playing the WHOLE game. The way they started did them in.

Generally I thought BYU played a good game. Had good ball movement, and stayed in the game. What was the problem??? They got worked on the boards. There were frequent trips down by the Aggies where their first shot was a miss. BYU consistently gave them second and sometimes third chance opportunities to score. You are not going to win many games if you don't win the battle of the boards.

It isn't their fault they can't hang with with anyone out of the conference!!
Only thing better then watching the Cougars lose is watching the "fans" watching the cougars lose!!!

This loss goes to prove that Utah fans have been right all along -- they're superior in every way to BYU fans because they elected to support a team that won it all 61 years ago. I've learned a lot by reading these comments over the past year -- that BYU fans think they're better than everybody else, that they're wrong to think that God is on their side, that BYU will never win big because they have to play crummy teams all year (including Utah), that BYU fans start fights in Las Vegas by throwing beer on each other, that BYU fans lack brains because they follow the prophet like sheep follow wolves in sheep's clothing, etc., etc. I'm just hoping that I've somehow absorbed the sheer intelligence exuded by fans of the U. I'm still confused over one thing, though. How is that this BYU team beat Utah?

I'm a BYU fan and I didn't think BYU played with much heart. They looked too reserved. They did not seem to play with any passion, aggression, or urgency.

I thought the refs were fine though. Very balanced and well called game. No excuses but a lack of heart.

And all you Ute fans who are laughing it up at BYU's loss, my only question is, wouldn't the victory be sweeter if Utah was able to beat a BYU team fresh off of a sweet 16 appearance or better? Wouldn't you rather have the opportunity to knock down BYU when they were nationally ranked and respected and wouldn't it make Utah look better if that were the case?? What glory is there in beating a rival that plays at a high school level? It is for this reason I hope Utah and BYU can both enter their last game undefeated in football this next fall, and both by nationally ranked, and both be playing for a BCS bid. Playing such a Utah team would make a BYU three-peat over them on their home field so much sweeter!!! GO UTES and GO COUGS!!!