BYU dismisses Davies for remainder of season
SALT LAKE CITY -- Brigham Young's dreams of a deep run in the NCAA Tournament might have taken a major blow Tuesday when the third-ranked Cougars dismissed starting forward Brandon Davies from the team for the remainder of the season.
The school cited a violation of the school's honor code in announcing the move Tuesday night.
Davies, who grew up in Provo, Utah, had started 26 of 29 games for the Cougars and averaged 11.1 points and a team-leading 6.2 rebounds.
The 6-foot-9-inch sophomore was instrumental in helping contain San Diego State's forwards in the Cougars' 80-67 victory over then-No. 6 San Diego State on Saturday.
The win vaulted BYU to No. 3 in the latest Associated Press poll as the Cougars (27-2, 13-1 Mountain West) swept the regular-season series over the Aztecs (27-2, 12-2) for the third straight year.
The school does not release details of such violations, but officials said coach Dave Rose would address Davies' situation after tonight's game against New Mexico.
The Cougars lost Jan. 29 in New Mexico and were counting on help from Davies to secure a win tonight as well in the conference and NCAA tournaments.
BYU was intent on winning the Mountain West tournament next week at the Thomas & Mack Center, gaining a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advancing past the second round, where the Cougars lost last season.
All-America guard Jimmer Fredette remains the Cougars' biggest scoring threat, averaging a nation-leading 27.3 points a game. Guard Jackson Emery is second in scoring at 12.6 points, and Davies was third.
Davies played 27 minutes in the win over the Aztecs. He had four points, six rebounds and one blocked shot and helped contain San Diego State's big men.
He has put up some bigger numbers this season.
Davies had 20 points and nine rebounds in a win at Wyoming on Feb. 2, and posted double-doubles at UNLV (15 points, 10 rebounds) and against Colorado State (14 points, 15 rebounds).
Rose could switch to a smaller lineup by moving 6-5 Charles Abouo to power forward, or he could lean more heavily on 6-8 sophomore Stephen Rogers or seldom-used 6-10 junior James Anderson.
BYU was already short-handed after losing 6-9 sophomore Chris Collinsworth for the season because of injury.
Davies commanded the most attention inside, opening things outside for Fredette and Emery.
School officials said they became aware of the honor code violations Monday. Davies' future with the team and the university has not yet been determined.
AROUND THE NATION
NO. 1 BUCKEYES CLINCH SHARE OF BIG TEN TITLE -- At State College, Pa., senior Jon Diebler had career highs of 30 points and 10 3-pointers as No. 1 Ohio State (28-2, 15-2) routed Penn State (15-13, 8-9) 82-61 to clinch at least a share of the Big Ten title. Diebler's 10 3s set a school record and tied the conference mark. The Buckeyes can claim the conference title outright with a win over No. 10 Wisconsin on Sunday.
NINTH-RANKED AZTECS WHIP COWBOYS -- At Laramie, Wyo., Malcolm Thomas and Brian Carlwell both scored 15 points as No. 9 San Diego State routed Wyoming 85-58, rebounding from its second loss of the season. The Aztecs (28-2, 13-2 Mountain West) used two 11-0 runs to pull away, and the Cowboys (10-19, 3-12) never got closer than 16 points in the second half.
NO. 20 KENTUCKY SLIPS PAST 21ST-RANKED VANDY -- At Lexington, Ky., Brandon Knight scored 17 points as No. 20 Kentucky (21-8, 9-6 Southeastern Conference) defeated No. 21 Vanderbilt (21-8, 9-6) 68-66, remaining unbeaten at Rupp Arena under coach John Calipari. Festus Ezeli led the Commodores with 22 points but fumbled away a chance at a tying shot just before the final buzzer.
NEBRASKA SINKS NO. 22 MIZZOU -- At Lincoln, Neb., Lance Jeter scored 16 points and Nebraska (19-10, 7-8 Big 12) used a 17-2 second-half run to pull away from No. 22 Missouri (22-8, 8-7) for a 69-58 victory.
