It's early in the college basketball season -- so early that I couldn't stay up past midnight to watch ESPN's 24 hours of basketball.

I lasted about an hour.

I have to learn to pace myself and build up my stamina.

It's a long season.

BYU men's basketball head coach Dave Rose knows that, too. Which is why, after BYU's easy 87-53 win over Idaho State Tuesday night, he said, "We're gonna play a lot of guys."

With maybe his deepest team, Rose is still experimenting. He played 10 guys in the first half of Tuesday's game and even had two different starters for the second half. He admitted that at some point, he's going to have to tighten up the rotation.

"We can't keep shuffling guys around forever," he said.

He also knows that over the course of a season, minutes can pile up. If you play Jimmer Fredette 37 minutes a game, by Game 30, he's going to be one tired hombre.

Last year, Jimmer led BYU in minutes played per game with 33, followed by Lee Cummard with 32.8 and Jonathan Tavernari with 31.6. Even if you cut Jimmer's minutes by an average of two per game, that's more than an hour of wear and tear saved on his knees and ankles.

At the pace Rose wants to play, that can be pretty important.

Back to last year, the starting five all averaged at least 22 minutes a game. Lamont Morgan had the most minutes off the bench with 16.2 per game, followed by Noah Hartsock with 11.3 and Charles Abouo with 10.7.

Expect the starters' numbers to dip just a bit this year and the bench numbers to increase, especially if the first two games of this season are any indication. Freshman Tyler Haws is averaging more than 20 minutes a game and Michael Loyd almost 20, both off the bench. Again, the rotation will tighten as the season progresses, but expect Rose to play nine or 10 players every game.

And expect different players off the bench to make an impact on a given night.

"I just want to provide good minutes," said Haws, who contributed nine points, five rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal in 24 minutes. "I'm just trying to be ready when coach calls my number."

That will be the key for guys like Haws, Loyd, Hartsock, Morgan and Brandon Davies. Against Idaho State, BYU's bench outscored their Bengal counterparts, 30-12.

Rose said, "There are a couple of players on this team that some nights will get extended minutes and not many minutes the next night. Their attitude will determine how much they can help the team."

In other words, come in a play hard when your needed. When you're not, be a good teammate and you'll get another opportunity soon.

"It's a tough role to be in," Rose admitted. "Guys have to respond positively."

Rose promised BYU fans his teams would run when he took over in 2005, and run they have. With the added depth this season, the Cougars are going to run even more, and run early. That's what they did against Idaho State and built a big lead.

"I hope this game kind of defines us personally as a team," Rose said. "We want to race the ball up the floor and use a lot of guys early. We love to attack offensively."

Then, as the lead grows, keep up the pressure with execution.

It's early, but so far it's working.

Minute by minute, as Michael McDonald once sang for the Doobie Brothers.

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 801-344-2555 or by e-mail at ddickson@heraldextra.com

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