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BYU Basketball: Shot defense and two more keys to beating Rice

By Shaun Gordon

RENO, NV - NOVEMBER 06: Jordan Caroline #24 of the Nevada Wolf Pack looks for an opening against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lawlor Events Center on November 6, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NV - NOVEMBER 06: Jordan Caroline #24 of the Nevada Wolf Pack looks for an opening against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lawlor Events Center on November 6, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /
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RENO, NV – NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Dave Rose of the Brigham Young Cougars watches a playing during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Brigham Young Cougars at Lawlor Events Center on November 6, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NV – NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Dave Rose of the Brigham Young Cougars watches a playing during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Brigham Young Cougars at Lawlor Events Center on November 6, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

3 – Avoid Turnovers

For the most part this season, BYU has been good at protecting the basketball. They’re only giving it up 9.4 times per game, but they’ve had their moments of sloppy play.

Usually those moments have come against inferior opponents, with the Cougars letting their guard down and either making sloppy passes or trying to get too fancy.

BYU has created a reputation recently for playing up or down to their opponent, putting in more effort against better teams then coming out flat and uninspired against worse ones.

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Just look at these Cougar losses over the last few years that they’ve had no business losing:

  • Loyola Marymount in 2017-18
  • Utah Valley in 2016-17
  • San Diego in 2016-17
  • Santa Clara in 2016-17
  • Portland in 2015-16
  • Pepperdine in 2015-16
  • Pacific in 2015-16

Rice is dangerous enough to end up on this list. Utah Valley won in the Marriott Center two years ago by shooting lights out, and the Owls have that exact same capability.

Which means that the Cougars have to score points. Just like BYU has to limit Rice’s shot volume, the Cougars have to maximize their own.

Here’s this game’s bold prediction: The team that manages to take the most shots will win the game.

That might sound obvious, but it’s often not the case.

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