This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
New York • Chase Fischer suited up for the BYU Cougars in Tuesday night's National Invitation Tournament semifinal game against Valparaiso.
It was almost the other way around.
Fischer said Monday that he visited both private institutions — Valpo is an independent Lutheran school in Valparaiso, Ind., about an hour's drive from Chicago — before choosing BYU after he decided to transfer from Wake Forest.
"It came down to BYU and Valpo when I was transferring," Fischer said. "I know the [Valpo] coaches well. I have watched them over the last couple of years because I had some familiarity with them. They have a really good program. I like coach [Bryce] Drew a lot."
Fischer, who describes himself as "a Christian," said both school's values appealed to him.
"That's one thing I like about BYU and Valpo — those dudes are good Christian men," Fischer said. "They preach good values. You don't hear that a lot in college basketball. And they're a solid team. They have a good culture there."
Haws gets home
Three years ago, when BYU lost 76-70 to Baylor in the NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden, Tyler Haws scored 25 points for the Cougars.
On Tuesday, his younger brother, T.J. Haws, returned home from an LDS Church mission to France. The younger Haws is one of three returned missionaries set to join the team next year. Big man Eric Mika returns home from Italy in April and Payton Dastrup returns home from Panama in July.
Next year's team will also feature Bingham High's Yoeli Childs, the 5A MVP.
Fredette visits
Former Wooden Award winner Jimmer Fredette, who guided BYU to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2011, paid the Cougars a visit on Sunday night at their Times Square hotel. But the All-American, who now plays for the nearby Westchester Knicks of the NBA Developmental League, didn't offer any advice.
"He's done a lot of great things, but that's not him," said Kyle Collinsworth. "He's not going to give us an inspirational speech. He just came to say hi. He hasn't changed one bit. He's just the same old dude from my freshman year."
Briefly
The Cougars have two NIT championships to their credit, having won the titles in 1951 and 1966. … Prior to Tuesday, the season series was even at 1-1, but the teams were playing for the first time since 1948, a 62-57 BYU win.
Twitter: @drewjay