BYU Basketball: Why Nick Emery is just what the doctor ordered for the Cougars
By Shaun Gordon
Nick Emery may or may not help BYU Basketball turn their season around, but if he does it will start with knocking off the state’s hottest school: Utah State.
BYU Basketball is off to their worst start in the Dave Rose era, largely due to their current three-game losing streak.
Losing to a very good Houston team wasn’t horrible. Losing in overtime on the road at Illinois State caused concern. Forgetting to play defense at Weber State is inexcusable.
And the schedule doesn’t get any easier from here. The Cougars host Utah State on Wednesday night. The Aggies are 7-1 and one of the biggest surprises of the year in college basketball.
Then they take on rival Utah on Saturday at Vivint Smarthome Arena. After one final non-conference home game against Portland State they’ll head out on a five-game road trip to UNLV, San Diego State, Mississippi State, Pacific, and St. Mary’s.
BYU’s next eight opponents have a combined record of 42-21. And with six of the eight away from home that’s not good. The Cougars haven’t figured out how to win away from the Marriott Center yet this year.
But let’s focus on the present. Utah State will be a handful for BYU, since the Aggies do everything well. They’re scoring well (85.3 ppg), defending well (64.5 papg), shooting well (49.2% FG, 38.4% 3PT), and rebounding well (43.1 rpg).
How do you beat a team that’s been performing better than you in nearly every statistical category?
You play significantly better than you have been playing so far this season.
You use home-court advantage to your favor.
And you take advantage of your newest X-factor, one that hasn’t been there for nearly two years.
Nick Emery.