Provo • Blowout losses, lackadaisical defensive efforts, multiple-game losing streaks, selfish play and teammates who are disgruntled over their playing time and roles have a way of tearing apart college basketball teams.
But the BYU Cougars insist that won’t be them this year after having experienced all of the above through the first 18 games of the season. That unified front was evident Thursday night as the Cougars fought off the distractions of last Saturday’s 88-66 loss at Saint Mary’s and guard Jahshire Hardnett’s absence from two practices by crushing Portland 79-56 at the Marriott Center.