BYU Back on Top: But Not without Struggle

He does this without ESPNU Top 100 players and with guys doing missionary work in some of the poorest places around the world without complaining. This is an opposition to guys who complain because they can't just skip college and go to the NBA.

And he was not going to let cancer end his career this early.

Doctors removed his spleen and now tests show there are no signs of cancer left.

"I believe that I'm a lucky guy. I believe I've been met with a challenge, but it's a challenge that is manageable," Rose said. "It's a challenge that I can handle and continue to do what I love to do."

Rose has been praised for his kindness and charity work. When it was announced he had cancer, every coach in the conference phoned in with words of encouragement. Fans from rival schools sent letters to him telling him that they are praying for him.

"We were kind of sweating a little bit to know what it was," guard Jimmer Fredette said. "He's going to have us running and gunning just like always. We're expecting full-fledged coach."

Now we can get back to the fun. Rose is a big fan of the old "Show Time" Lakers, modeling his team after that ‘85 team. He loves to push the tempo and has one of the most conditioned teams in America.

Even though they are losing their leading scorer, Lee Cummard, they return all their other starters, and Jimmer Fredette looks ready to take over next season.

Fredette was one of the most sought-after recruits coming out of New York. He turned down bigger schools like West Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Penn State so he could be with Coach Rose.

He only averaged 0.6 less points than Cummard (16.8 to 16.2) and did that as a sophomore.

So, do not be surprised when Fredette wins Conference Player of the Year. Nor should you be in shock when point guard Lamont Morgan leads the most potent offense in the Mountain West as the Cougars sprint into the Tournament.

And when you watch Dave Rose celebrating with the rest of the team, as they march deep into the Tournament, just remember one thing.

Rose and his players will be doing all of this with the fear of the return of his cancer over their heads. Every couple months, he will undergo scans to “just mak[e] sure."

But will their coach quit?

"I promise you this," Rose said. "I will appreciate every day. I will appreciate every practice. I'll appreciate every game more than I have because I think that's what you do when you go through this."

Let's just hope he does all this appreciating cancer-free.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?