Without Brandon Davies, No. 3 BYU Gets Throttled By New Mexico 82-64
Phillip McDonald scored 26 points and Drew Gordon posted 15 points and 16 rebounds, as the Lobos knocked off the third-ranked Cougars for the second time this season, 82-64.
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Brandon Davies left Brigham Young University early this week, and it didn't take long for Jimmer Fredette and BYU basketball to feel the impact of his departure. New Mexico dominated Wednesday night with an 82-64 upset, and now, the future for BYU's basketball team is up in the air. What's next for BYU? What about Brandon Davies?
Well, for one thing, BYU's head coach Dave Rose says that Brandon Davies isn't necessarily done for good at BYU. He wouldn't elaborate, but was quick to emphasize that while Davies is definitely suspended for the remainder of this year, he can still return to play in Provo, perhaps as early as next year.
But with a top five ranking and arguably the best player in the country in his senior season, BYU fans are focused on this year, and how far Jimmer Fredette can carry them. Without Davies, they'll be leaning on Fredette even more than usual, and it will take some time to adjust.
As Jimmer said, himself, "Brandon is one of our good players, and he is like a brother to us, family. It is tough to lose a guy like that. We just have to pull together.” And that quote came before the lopsided upset vs. New Mexico Wednesday night. BYU may still recover from the loss, and Brandon Davies may eventually return to school, but in both cases, it's going to take some times before things get back to normal.
Phillip McDonald scored 26 points and Drew Gordon posted 15 points and 16 rebounds, as the Lobos knocked off the third-ranked Cougars for the second time this season in authoritative fashion, 82-64, at the Marriott Center.
BYU played its first game in the shadow of Brandon Davies' absence. The forward was dismissed from the team earlier this week for a violation of the honor code, and the Lobos took advantage, out-rebounding the Cougars, 45-29, and grabbing 12 offensive rebounds.
Kendall Williams also chipped in 15 points and Dairese Gary donated 11 points and five rebounds for the Lobos (19-11, 7-8 Mountain West), who have won two straight since a four-game skid.
Jimmer Fredette did his best to keep the game close, scoring 33 points, although he needed 26 shots to reach that number, to go along with six assists and five rebounds. Jackson Emery was the only other Cougar in double figures with 11 points. BYU (27-3, 13-2) lost for the first time since January 29th, another defeat at the hands of New Mexico.
