BYU basketball: Three most important Cougars for 2017-18

BYU basketball is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2016-17 season. Can the Cougars do it? Certainly. But they’ll need these three players to show up.

BYU basketball’s Cougar Tip-Off comes later this month, then in November the games begin. The expectations for the Cougar Cagers aren’t particularly high – and the Preseason Coaches Poll features two West Coast Conference teams in the Top 25.

But while Gonzaga comes in at No. 19 and St. Mary’s checks in at No. 22, the Cougars can still have a solid season.

In fact, if BYU basketball can avoid losing to WCC teams not named Gonzaga or St. Mary’s, there’s a chance the WCC becomes a three-bid league.

That, of course, is the Cougars’ goal. But to make that happen, they’ll need to be led by these three players.

Nick Emery

Emery’s 2016-17 season was a roller coaster. One night he’d put up 20 points on 40 percent shooting, the next night he’d score eight points on 20 percent shooting.

He was way too streaky to be effective, but he still occasionally forced shots. It looked like he was pressing far too often.

For BYU basketball to reach the NCAA Tournament this season, Emery will need to return to form. Luckily, the Cougars have a number of talented scorers, which might take some of the pressure off Emery.

He won’t have to shoot the Cougars back into games. Nor will he be defended by the opposing team’s best defender.

I’d like to see Emery continue to be a bulldog defensively, while averaging about 16 points per game on 40 percent shooting.