BYU junior forward discusses the 2001-2002 season, the Mountain West Conference and much more
Moderator: (12:00 PM ET ) TheMWC.com and ESPN.com would like to welcome BYU's Travis Hansen.
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Brad (Columbus, OH): Being that you guys are so tough at home, where do you think that the toughest places to play on the road in the conference are?
Travis Hansen: (12:00 PM ET ) Wyoming and New Mexico. Because their fans are like a 6th man to their teams.
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Alex (Miami): First of all, congrats on this season thus far. Really impressive after losing three top players. What are the chances of BYU going to the NCAA Tournament after losing almost every game on the road? Will you guys be pleased with going to the NIT?
Travis Hansen: (12:02 PM ET ) Our goal is to win the MWC and play in the NCAA Tournament. We pretty much have to win the MWC Tournament to get into the NCAAs.
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Oliver (San Diego): It seems that every game on the road you guys get really close, but then same result. What does the team really need to win the last two road games?
Travis Hansen: (12:02 PM ET ) We need to play with the same intensity and execution on the road that we do at home.
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Chris (Provo, Utah): What's the secret of winning at home?
Travis Hansen: (12:03 PM ET ) We are more confident at home. We all play more aggressive at home. We feed off of the fans support.
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Carl (Denver): How come the Mountain West Conference is not as respected as it should be?
Travis Hansen: (12:04 PM ET ) Probably because it's a new conference and we really haven't had anyone make a big run in the NCAAs. We need to win more games against top 10 opponents. I think gradually we are getting more respect.
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John (Toole, Utah): What is the most difficult team to play in the conference?
Travis Hansen: (12:05 PM ET ) Probably Air Force because of the slow down offense they run. You have to play disciplined against them at all times.
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Pakboy: Out of all the players you have seen play this year, which one of them do you think has the best chance to play at the next level (NBA)?
Travis Hansen: (12:06 PM ET ) Randy Holcomb of San Diego State or Dalron Johnson of UNLV because they can handle the ball, shoot the three and are both tall guys with guard skills.
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Pakboy: Why do you wear No. 2?
Travis Hansen: (12:06 PM ET ) I used to wear #24 but Terrell Lyday had it last year so I chose #2 and have stuck with it.
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Steve (Fairbanks): What is it like playing for Coach Cleveland and at BYU?
Travis Hansen: (12:07 PM ET ) It's been awesome. Coach Cleveland is a great coach and prepares us well. Coach Cleveland and his staff are focused on helping you get better. It's fun to play here.
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Adam Larsen (los cabos mexico): Travis congrats on a terrific year so far! What do you think byu will need to work on the remainder of the season to be able to repeat as champs in the MWC tourney?
Travis Hansen: (12:09 PM ET ) Overall, competing for 40 minutes a game. Play harder and keep our intensity up for 40 minutes. If we do that we'll have a great chance to win the conference tournament.
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Provo Utah: Travis has put up some great numbers and is certainly BYU's MVP this year...but some purists think it is his defense that sets him apart from most players in Division 1. Which does Hansen think he is stronger at? Offense or defense?
Travis Hansen: (12:10 PM ET ) I think I am good at both. In order to be a good player you need to be good on both ends of the court. If you score 20 points but your man scores 20 you really haven't accomplished anything but if you can hold your man to five then you have.
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Robert Rodriguez in Sacramento: What did you do in the off season to enhance your defense? You have really improved with that. We all know you could score, but defensively, you have matured!!! Good luck the rest of the way and GO COUGS!!!
Travis Hansen: (12:11 PM ET ) Its primarily experience, having one year here at BYU has helped.
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Jim (Denver): How are you preparing for Utah coming to Provo on Saturday and what do you think are BYU's chances of winning?
Travis Hansen: (12:12 PM ET ) Utah is a tough team to prepare for because they all can shoot the three and drive to the basket. It will be a good game but since it's in Provo we have to win that game.
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Santa Barbara: Travis, you have always had a great first step. You look like you can get to the basket anytime you want. But this year you are showing you can really shoot the mid-range jumper, and are hitting almost 45% from the 3-point line. Have you been working on your shot since last year??
Travis Hansen: (12:14 PM ET ) Definitely. Coach Cleveland brought us in right after last season and talked to us about what we can each work on. And coming off a mission my legs were tired, I conditioned a lot and kept working on my shooting.
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Nancy (St. Louis): Did you go on a mission? If so, where did you go and how did that change your life?
Travis Hansen: (12:15 PM ET ) I went to Santiago, Chile and it was awesome. One of the best experiences in my life. I met some great people whom I still talk to. It changed my outlook on life.
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Orem Utah: It has been fun watching you play this year. Why did you choose BYU over Utah? I understand they both recruited you heavily.
Travis Hansen: (12:16 PM ET ) Coach Cleveland and his staff was the reason I chose BYU. Their system seemed to fit my style of play better.
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Mike Yancey: You look like you got some pretty good hops. What is your vertical? What did you do to get it?
Travis Hansen: (12:17 PM ET ) Played a lot of dunk ball as a kid, 7th and 8th grade, I could dunk when I was in 9th grade. My vertical is around 38.
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Gerard (Cleveland): Travis- do you have any certain shooting routine or ritual that you go through before a game? Or anything special that you like to do to get yourself ready to play?
Travis Hansen: (12:19 PM ET ) Actually I come a couple hours early and get some shots in to warm up. I also watch tape of the last game we played to see what I can improve on.
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Salt Lake City: Have you seen any of the Olympic events?? Which is your favorite??
Travis Hansen: (12:20 PM ET ) We had morning practice today so I hope to see the Giant Slalom today. My favorite is the short track skating with Apolo Anton Ohno.
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Alex: Can you make the NBA?
Travis Hansen: (12:21 PM ET ) I need to play hard, keep improving and work on my outside shot more and hopefully I'll get some looks by NBA scouts.
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gardner (orem): who helped your game the most as a kid -- your two sisters or your older brother?
Travis Hansen: (12:22 PM ET ) My dad. He helped me with my shots and moves.
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Salt Lake City: What do you like best about basketball? About attending BYU?
Travis Hansen: (12:23 PM ET ) Competition and the players on the team. We are all really good friends. BYU, the people. Everyone is really cool, the teachers, coaches and other students.
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Alex: I am a Freshman and I am having trouble because the coach doesn't give me any Varsity time but I am just as good as anyone out there, do you have any advice for me? I can play awesome but they say I am too short.
Travis Hansen: (12:24 PM ET ) Keep playing hard and improving. Spend some extra time during the summer in the gym. Keep trying to play better than the people ahead of you.
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Raleigh NC: How has strength and conditioning coach Jay Omer changed your routine and what has been the results in strength and vertical leap (if that is possible)
Travis Hansen: (12:25 PM ET ) jay's assistant Justin works more with us. He has been the one that has really helped me with my strength and jumping.
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John Utah: Tell us about your sisters and their basketball plans.
Travis Hansen: (12:27 PM ET ) They are twins, juniors in high school, and have verbally committed to come to BYU.
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Steve (Philly): Travis, How do you guys think you match up against the power teams in the bigger conferences. ( Maryland Kansas etc)
Travis Hansen: (12:29 PM ET ) We match up pretty well. Hopefully next year or in the near future we can play them. They are great teams with great players. We beat Stanford earlier this season. It was one of the biggest wins we've had since I've been here. Beating them was a great feeling. We played really hard. It's always good to beat nationally ranked teams.
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Matt Berkshire: What are your thoughts on Wyoming?
Travis Hansen: (12:30 PM ET ) Our game in Laramie is going to be a lot of fun and a great game. They are one of the best teams in our league. I think we match up pretty well with them.
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Gerard (Cleveland): Travis- what's up man. I was just wondering how much pride the team takes in keeping the nation's longest home win streak going? Is it something that your conscious of when you take the floor each time at home, or do you just forget about the streak once the game starts?
Travis Hansen: (12:31 PM ET ) I think we forget about the streak once the game starts. We joke about it in practice. We are so confident in our arena and the fans are great.
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Shawn (Layton): First off I just wanted to say that you are having a great year and I wish you continued success. My question is do you think that the Big Three in Utah (Utah State, U of U, and BYU) have a shot of all making it to the Big Dance this year? And in your mind who's the best team out of those three? (try no to be too partial!)
Travis Hansen: (12:33 PM ET ) I think each team could make the NCAA Tournament although one or two could be bubble teams. All three are very good teams. BYU is the best, naturally.
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Luke St. Paul: Great season, Travis. Who are some players that have played before you at BYU that you look up to the most?
Travis Hansen: (12:34 PM ET ) I loved watching Marty Haws and Andy Toolson. Those two were really fun to watch as was Danny Ainge.
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DG BOISE: What is the the difference between playing a Stanford from the Pac-10 and say a UNLV is there that much difference between the Pac-10 and the MWC?
Travis Hansen: (12:36 PM ET ) I don't think there is that much difference between the two leagues. We have as much talent and the games are just as good. They are a more established conference and we are younger so we need to win more games against nationally ranked teams to get the respect.
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Dan (Las Vegas): Besides BYU, who do you think has the best chance to win the MWC Tournament
Travis Hansen: (12:38 PM ET ) Everyone in the league has a good chance to win the tournament. This season it's a really tough league, from top to bottom, any any one could step up each night and win.
Moderator: (12:38 PM ET ) That is all the time that Travis has for us today. Come back tomorrow at
11:30 a.m. MST for a chat with UNLV senior forward Chris Richardson!
