BYU basketball: Revenge Week begins for the Cougars

BYU basketball has two losses in WCC play so far, and this week the Cougars have a chance to get their revenge against both of the teams that beat them.

It’s one of the best parts of conference play in college basketball.

The chance for revenge.

BYU basketball has now played each WCC opponent once aside from Gonzaga, and it’s time to take on those teams for a second time.

The Cougars sit at 6-2 in conference play. They lost an overtime heartbreaker to St. Mary’s, and seven days later suffered an upset loss at Pacific.

And it just so happens that BYU gets their second shot at both teams this week.

Let’s take a look at both matchups.

St. Mary’s Gaels

First, the Cougars head to Moraga to take on St. Mary’s, who currently sits at the top of the WCC at 8-0.

Last week’s win by the Gaels over Gonzaga put them firmly in the driver’s seat for the regular-season conference crown. It’s even more impressive that they took down the Bulldogs in the Kennel.

That win propelled them into the Top 25, vaulting them to No. 16 in the nation. For BYU basketball, a win would give them a signature win that they’re sorely lacking in their tournament resume. It would also pull them back to within one game of first place in the WCC.

But St. Mary’s is riding a 14-game winning streak, and they’re playing their best basketball of the season. A win over BYU would tie their school record for consecutive wins and further cement their spot at the top of the conference.

In their first matchup, the Cougars had no answer for Jock Landale. Of course, no one has had an answer for Landale this season.

He shot an unconscious 13-15 at BYU, scoring 31 points and also pulling down 13 rebounds.

In the end though, the Gaels’ experience prevailed under pressure and they pulled away from the Cougars in overtime.

So how can BYU basketball take down St. Mary’s in Moraga?

First, they have to maintain their current upswing in offensive efficiency. The Cougars are playing their best offensive basketball of the season right now, and they have to keep that up. The Gaels are in the Top 10 nationally in almost every offensive category, and if the Cougars can’t keep pace they’ll get run out of the building.

Second, a third scorer needs to emerge. In the first matchup, only Yoeli Childs and Elijah Bryant scored more than seven points. Those two can’t carry the load alone if the Cougars want to knock off the Gaels on the road.

TJ Haws has shown signs of breaking out of his shooting slump recently, and if he can stay hot he can provide that extra scoring punch then Cougars will need.

Finally, BYU has to find a way to slow down Landale. The Cougars have enough bigs, especially with the return of Dalton Nixon, to throw multiple defensive looks and personnel at him. They don’t have to shut him down, just limit his efficiency.

Even if the Cougars manage all three tasks, it won’t be easy to get their revenge against the Gaels, but it’s definitely doable.