I dont even know where to begin. There is so much to talk about this week in the world of college basketball for BYU and the Big 12. The Big 12 is the best basketball conference and BYU is somehow 2-2 through 4 games, winning their last 2 games after dropping their first 2 games.
Game Recap vs UCF
BYU went on the road to Orlando to take on UCF. It looked like a daunting task. UCF, in their previous game before BYU, beat #3 Kansas on the same exact floor in Orlando just a couple of nights before. But BYU came away with a hard fought victory, 63-58. It was a close one. BYU was up 13 with about 7 minutes left play and they were rolling. It seemed like the game was going to end pretty quickly. But UCF stormed back and came within 1 point with 2 minutes left.
At this point, BYU’s defense, and really Dallin Halls defense, won BYU the game. Hall had two huge stops on their star player. BYU made some FTs and UCF had a chance to tie the game with 7 seconds left and missed. BYU went on to win the game. It was hard fought but much deserved.
Player and Team Stats
BYU shot 40% overall and 35% from 3. A little bit under what they usually shoot but thats to be expected being on the road. 3 players were in double figures for points with Ally Khalifa leading the way with 17, Knell with 14, and Johnson with 12. Whats crazy is that BYU was out-rebounded, had more turnovers and fouls and they still won this game. It was all because of their defense. UCF shot 29% overall and 17% from 3. Thats some good defense by the Cougars.
Game Recap vs #24 Iowa State
BYU had a top 25 matchup with Iowa State in Provo after Iowa State entered the top 25 ranking this last Monday. It was BYU’s first top 25 matchup in the Marriott Center since 2020! Trevin Knell was out because of a sore foot and Fouss was out with a sore hamstring. So to start the game, BYU was down some big players. Robinson took Knells spot in the starting 5 and it made all the difference. The Cougars came out on top 87-72.
Player and Team Stats
Spencer Johnson led the team with 28 points, a new career high for him. 4 other players were in double figures with Waterman with 18, Robinson with 15, Saunders with 12, and Hall with 11.
My biggest players from the game were Hall, Robinson, and Johnson, and honorable mention, Waterman. They all stepped up and contributed in a big way with Fouss and Knell hurt. Hall had 8 assists and looked so much more comfortable with the ball and his decision making and Robinson’s defense was huge. Knell is a great shooter, but not a great defender, and with Robinson in the starting 5, his length and defense was a huge boost and he still can shoot and create offense. Johnson led the scoring in a big way. He made 4 3s and also had 5 assists.
Iowa State hadn’t allowed 87 points in the last 4 seasons. Thats how crazy this was. The Cyclones are normally very good on defense and tonight was not their night.
The other big story from this game was that a Cyclones player got ejected for elbowing Richie Saunders during a FT. I dont think it warranted a flagrant 2, maybe just a flagrant 1 was necessary, but the refs kicked him out and gave him a flagrant 2. BYU does travel to Iowa State later in conference play so this could be a budding rivalry starting to form.
Game Preview vs #25 Texas Tech
BYU travels to Lubbock this Saturday to take on Texas Tech. This is going to be difficult. Texas Tech plays #5 Houston at Houston tonight, so their record could change, but they are currently 3-0 in conference play and the #1 team in the Big 12. Their coach is one of the best young coaches in college basketball. He is in his first year at Texas Tech after being with North Texas for 6 years.
Player Preview
The Red Raiders have a lot of different guys who can score. They have a very good offense. 5 guys are averaging 10 points or more. But their star player is Pop Isaacs. He leads the team in points per game They also have really good players in Joe Toussaint, Warren Washington, and Darrion Williams. Isaacs is a smaller guard but very crafty. He is good at drawing the foul and prefers to drive the ball.
Toussaint is a smaller guard but very fast and physical. He likes to shoot the 3 but only shoots it at about a 30% clip. He tries to score every time he gets the ball.
Washington is a 7″0 center who leads the team in rebounds but also averages 10 points a game. He is a good player and likes to post up.
Williams is by far one of their better 3 point shooters. He shoots at a 40% clip. Williams likes to shoot the 3 but doesnt score a whole lot. He can go off at any second though.
Prediction
I dont know if BYU will pull this one out. Its on the road against a very well coached team who can score. BYU’s defense will be put to the test, which is currently ranked #8 in the nation according to KenPom. I am interested to see if Knell or Fouss come back for this game. If both are out, that could hurt us, but if they are out and we play like last game, we will have a chance to win.
ESPN Analytics is basically 50/50 giving BYU a 48% chance to win. BYU has looked good their last two games but Texas Tech is also on a 9 game win streak. I want to see how they play against Houston tonight, but I have Texas Tech winning by 2. (Please surprise me BYU!)
Game Preview vs #5 Houston
The next game for BYU doesn’t get any easier as #5 Houston comes to Provo on Tuesday night. Houston also has one of the best coaches in the game in Kelvin Sampson. He has been with Houston since 2014 and was an assistant coach for 6 years in the NBA before then, no wonder they are so good. For the past 6 years Houston has never lost more than 8 game in a season. That is wild!
Where do I start with this team? For Houston, it starts with their defense. They are ranked #1 according to KenPom. Sampson has always preached defense and they have it for sure. However, Houston is 1-2 in the Big 12 with 2 straight losses, to TCU and Iowa State. This game tonight vs Texas Tech will be big for Houston to see if they can get back on track.
Player Preview
Houston’s best player is LJ Cryer. He is averaging about 16 points a game, shoots 87% from the FT line, and about 38% from 3. He can shoot and score. That is just his natural ability. Hes not a huge player but he knows how to create offense and score. In the last two games however, he has only shot 14 and 22% and had 5 points each game. He seems to be a little cold right now. I expect him to get out of this slump tonight vs Texas Tech. He is too good of a player to have this last any longer.
Houston’s next best player is J’Wan Roberts. While he is pretty hot and cold, he can light up the scoreboard. He leads the team in rebounds and is VERY active player. BYU will have to box him out.
The other two players who are both very good are Emanuel Sharp and Jamal Shead. The last two games with Cryer not playing as well, Sharp and Shead have taken over the game to will the Cougars to a win. Sharp is a great shooter, shooting at 37% from 3 and 80% from the FT line and likes to create offense.
Any of these 4 players can really take over the game and that is why they are #5 in the nation.
Prediction
I dont expect BYU to win this game, but it is at home, which almost makes me want to pick BYU in the upset. I just think Houston is too much. They have a suffocating defense and any player can score for them. In their last two games though, they have shot awfully from 3 and fouled a lot. That is a recipe for success for BYU. ESPN Analytics only gives BYU a 35% chance to win this game and I think thats about right. I think BYU makes this a game, but ultimately loses by 7.
Other BYU Sports News
In other BYU Sports News, Kevin Glibride has been hired as the new TE coach for BYU football. He has over 10 years of coaching in the NFL as a TE and offensive coach. This is a great hire and I am excited to see what he brings to BYU’s offense.
Dawson Baker, a guard on the BYU basketball team, is undergoing surgery on his foot again and will miss the rest of the season. This season will be a medical redshirt and he will still have two years of eligibility starting next season.
Big 12 Conference Update
BYU is currently 2-2 in conference play and 14-3 overall. That is good enough for 6th right now in the conference. This conference is wild and is the best conference in the nation. They currently have 8 teams ranked, the most in conference history for basketball. All 14 members are also in the top 20 in toughest remaining schedules for the season. So buckle up every body, this is going to be a crazy season.
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