Ask BYU coach Jeff Judkins about his basketball program two years ago, and right now is when he would have pinpointed.

Yes, it's taken him longer than he hoped to figure out this group -- just as much as it's taken longer for the players themselves to catch on to what he's saying, and what he wants.

But the idea right now is, as Judkins says, "it's time." The core of the roster is seven juniors who have experienced a glut of highs and lows, but little consistency. And the ninth-year coach demands that changes this year.

The Cougars open the season with a 3:30 p.m. game today at the Marriott Center against UVU.

"It's time. They've been young. A lot of them played a lot of minutes early," Judkins said. "And now it's time to show the things they've learned the last couple of years."

The game plan is built around several players in their third years. Jazmine Foreman is a point guard who will likely team up in a Judkins first -- a combination with two point guards on the floor at the same time.

Haley Hall is listed as a junior, though she's had the last three years ended by injuries.

Forwards Keilani Moeaki and Coriann Wood offer BYU the kind of versatility that makes them inside or outside threats.

The scoring attack will be built around Mindy Nielson, whose game must come into her own this year. Even some teammates agree that the unselfish Nielson must get a little hoggish this year, find her shots.

It's been a tough road to get some of these Cougars to listen up, though, and only games will tell if the lessons have sunk in.

"For whatever reason, this group is the most stubborn one I've had here. Not in being rude, but just wanting to do their own thing sometimes," Judkins said. "I think sometimes you have to learn by your own mistakes, and I think they have."

Hall has remained on the bench, almost as a coach in the making, and marveled with Judkins at the growth of the junior class. They'll be complemented by freshmen Alexis Kaufusi (who sat out last season) and highly touted Wasatch High product Kim Parker, among others.

"We were just talking today, how far these girls that are juniors now have come since they were freshmen," Hall said. "How much more confident they are now. We know what we have to do to win, and we're excited to show off the excitement, intensity and hunger we have right now."

BYU went 13-16 two years ago and 18-11 last season, the first two-year stretch it hasn't made the postseason. Judkins points out last year's team started 10-2 but hit some rough patches early in conference play and never quite got its confidence back. Consistency also lacked severely, as some results (both wins and losses) pointed out.

Arguably, motivation was also lacking. Judkins boasts he's got the deepest team in the league, which helps him out. He talked with his players about it after practice Wednesday. Players appear to agree with the not-so-subtle undertones.

"I think the biggest thing is competition. For practice, if you know that you're not performing, and there's someone right behind you, they'll take your spot," Hall said. "Where in the past we haven't been as deep, so people have been given a little more leeway. This year, there's not really any for anybody."

Least of all, possibly from Judkins. He wants to see this group live up to what he believes it's capable of achieving.

"Last year we made mistakes and got down on ourselves," Judkins said. "We have to be more consistent. We're not going to let mistakes dictate us this year. We're just not."

STARTING 5: KEY ISSUES FOR THIS YEAR'S TEAM

1. A change in philosophy: Coach Jeff Judkins has never done it before, but he's planning on a lineup that includes playing two point guards simultaneously. He feels like it'll take some pressure off juniors Haley Hall and Jazmine Foreman on offense, while also allowing them to apply pressure at the other end of the floor.

"Juddy always says he'll play point guards together, and I think this year more than ever he means it," said Hall, citing the team's need to take advantage of quickness and negate a height disadvantage.

"I've never done it before, but I think it's best for this team," Judkins added.

2. How deep is deep: "There's no question, we're the best team in the league 15-deep -- by far. The key is, will we be nine- or 10-deep and still the best in the league? That's what I'm hoping," Judkins said of a group that has 12 returners plus two freshmen (redshirt Alexis Kaufusi and highly regarded newcomer Kim Parker).

3. Somebody score the ball: Last year, BYU shot 37 percent from the field and 27 percent from 3-point range. And a lot of those deep looks were wide-open, because teams begged them to shoot from the arc.

"We are shooting the ball a lot better, we're scoring with more ease," Judkins said.

He praised offseason diligence and the addition of Hall, who is a good shooter and also has a contagious quality. She hit three treys in a row in an exhibition game, and that got the rest of the team rolling from long range, too.

4. It's an inside game: Keilani Moeaki has been known to show flashes early and fade as the season goes on. The Cougars cannot afford her talent and confidence to slip this year.

"She's playing her best basketball," Judkins said. "She's more mature."

Also, there's Coriann Wood. The juniors will mix up between being an inside and outside presence, as both have shooting range.

5. Stop the roller coaster: For whatever reason, BYU played better on the road last year. For home games, Judkin is requiring players to meet before the game to get focused -- a way to eliminate the distractions that don't exist away from Provo. He's also seeing steady daily efforts.

"We haven't had a real great practice, but we haven't had a real crappy practice, either," the coach said. "Last year we were much more up and down."

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