West Coast Convo’s Preseason Individual Awards
By Josh Horton
Jan. 24, 2013; Spokane, WA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3) tries to get by Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Kevin Pangos (4) during the second half at the McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs beat the Cougars by a final score of 83-63. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
MVP – Tyler Haws (Guard, BYU)
By Andrew Perkins
Tyler Haws looks to garner back-to-back WCC scoring titles this upcoming season while he steps into main possession of the “go-to guy” role for BYU. Without Brandon Davies providing an inside punch, the Cougars will need Haws to work his mid-range magic even more than he did last year. He’s been working on his long-range jumper, so there’s a good chance he’ll hit more than 1.2 three-pointers a game this season. If he can hit the three consistently, he’ll see a lot more space than he did when opposing teams muscled him around and pounded away at him last season. If the Cougars roll out a 4-guard line-up, Haws will also be depended on to crash the glass. It wouldn’t be surprising to see all of his numbers go up even higher this season. It is definitely hard to imagine him surpassing last year’s performance, but he will have ample opportunity to do so. And the Cougars will need him to do so.