TMA: Down goes BYU?

New Mexico 82, no. 3 BYU 64: In yesterday's Saddle Up, I made only brief MENTiON of BYU's home date vs. New Mexico. That note: "BYU will host New Mexico in the first game without ITS dismissed forward Brandon Davies, and it will be worth watching to see how the Cougars adjust Their lineup and Strategy Going Forward."

"Interesting" is one Way to put it. "Devastating" is Another.

In ITS first game without forward Brandon Davies Athletic - WHO was dismissed by the Cougars for violating the school's honor code by having "sex with his girlfriend - BYU Did not just look Slightly off. They Did not play so-so. They weren't fighting through ADJUSTMENTS and Feeling Their Way Around an inferior Opponent at home. Rather, They Were utterly manhandled by a just-OK New Mexico team, a team That under normal imprecision has little business Beating the Cougars in Provo.

But it's clear Cougars These Are not at full strength. At Least Not yet. The dismissal Davies wasn't just Devastating Because it robs the BYU of the ITS best interior player, or Because BYU is now likely To Lose ITS has a Well-grip. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. It was Devastating Because Of ITS timing. Anytime you lose a starter or important Contributor, rhere's always an Adjustment Period. For BYU, That Adjustment will take place DURING the last two games of the regular season and the Mountain West tournament, if Not Beyond. And That assumes the Cougars Will Be Able to "adjust" in the first place.