Provo» Tyler Haws hasn't made BYU basketball fans forget about Lee Cummard just yet, but he seems well on his way.

The freshman from Lone Peak High turned in his best week of the season last week, scoring a career-high 24 points and grabbing six rebounds against Wyoming and following that with a 17-point game against San Diego State.

As the Cougars prepare for another huge week -- at New Mexico on Wednesday and then the rivalry game at home Saturday against Utah -- Haws says he won't shy away from his increased role, but won't force it, either.

"Wherever the team needs me, I'll go," he said after Monday's practice. "I am just going to keep playing and keep taking good shots and keep trying to make good plays for others."

Coach Dave Rose said Haws is excelling because he has found his niche with the team.

"When we recruited him, we expected him to be able to come in and play a lot of minutes at that three position with Lee [Cummard] graduating," Rose said. "But I think he has exceeded all our expectations as far as how consistent he has been. And that's what impresses us the most."

Haws is third on the team in scoring with 12.4 points per game and rebounding with 4.5 a game.

"He shows up and gives our team what we need with his outside shooting, with his offensive rebounding, with his defensive presence, the ability to help break the press. He is really a mature player for such a young kid," Rose said.

There's talk that Haws leads the race to win Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors. But he's not running away with it. Utah's Marshall Henderson , Colorado State's Dorian Green and San Diego State's Kawhi Leonard are also excelling. The Cougars' Brandon Davies has also been brilliant at times, but not nearly as consistent as Haws.

"We figured the top freshmen on everybody's roster would probably play a big part of [their success]," Rose said. "But for them to be involved in their team, it is not a surprise. For them to be some of the top performers in the league, maybe a little surprise."