BYU basketball: Previewing the San Francisco Dons

BYU basketball will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Saint Mary’s when the Cougars square off with the San Francisco Dons on January 4.

BYU basketball’s loss to the Saint Mary’s Gaels will undoubtedly leave a sour taste in the mouth of Cougar Nation. But the Cougars can get back to their winning ways against 9-6 San Francisco.

The Dons, who currently sit in fourth place in the West Coast Conference, are coming off a 23-point victory over the Portland Pilots. Prior to that game, USF fell to San Diego.

Over the last two seasons, BYU basketball is undefeated against San Francisco (4-0) and there’s no reason to think the Cougars won’t make it five in a row on Thursday night.

Before dropping that game to the Gaels, the Cougars hadn’t lost since Nov. 24. But, they’llh ave a shot at revenge after a six-game stretch of less-than-stellar opponents.

It all starts with the Dons.

Players To Watch

Souley Boum: 6-foot-3 freshman guard Souley Boum has been a high-scoring player for the Dons. He’s scored 20+ points in back-to-back games and has in all but one game he’s played in. Boum is playing just 23 minutes per night, but he’s a guy that can catch fire quickly.

Chase Foster: Senior forward Chase Foster is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 12.2 points per night. He is also second on the team in minutes per game (26.4) and the leading rebounder (5.6). Foster scored in double figures in each game against BYU basketball last season.

Jordan Ratinho: Ratinho is nearly averaging double-figure points (9.9), but he’s struggled shooting the ball. Currently, he’s shooting just 38 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range. He’s just 12 for his last 43 shot attempts.