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BYU Basketball: Why tonight’s game against LMU is scary

By Adam Gibby

Dec 11, 2021; Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA; Creighton Bluejays guard Ryan Nembhard (2) taps the ball away from Brigham Young Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) in the second half at Sanford Pentagon. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2021; Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA; Creighton Bluejays guard Ryan Nembhard (2) taps the ball away from Brigham Young Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) in the second half at Sanford Pentagon. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 19, 2022; Moraga, California, USA; Brigham Young Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) rebounds during the second half against the Saint Mary’s Gaels at University Credit Union Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2022; Moraga, California, USA; Brigham Young Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) rebounds during the second half against the Saint Mary’s Gaels at University Credit Union Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

BYU Basketball is already looking ahead to San Francisco.

It is no secret that BYU Basketball needs to make it to the WCC Semi-finals if they want any shot at making it into the NCAA Tournament. That means that they need to beat LMU tonight and then take down San Francisco tomorrow night.

The issue is that BYU is already looking ahead to the Dons. They aren’t even trying to hide it. If you watch what the players and coaches are saying, it is all about making it to Monday night in the WCC Semi-finals.

There are three main reasons for this.

  1. The Cougars were unaware who they would be playing until late last night since they had to wait until the end of the Pacific vs LMU game.
  2. San Francisco is the tougher matchup and quite honestly needs the attention.
  3. The end goal is to survive the weekend. Oftentimes looking ahead is the natural reaction.

All three of the reasons are very understandable. But at the same time, BYU needs to get past LMU first, and that really concerns me. LMU already took the Cougars to overtime once, and it can’t be overstated that LMU has the advantage of having played last night. While fatigue is often cited in tournaments like this, it is unlikely that LMU will be effected much, at least tonight. Depth perception is a real thing in basketball and LMU has the advantage with adjusting to it yesterday.

I’m not saying that I think that LMU is going to beat BYU, but it seems like nobody is even paying attention to this game. It is almost assumed that BYU is already facing San Francisco tomorrow, and that should be worrisome.

A major reason to be worried is LMU’s Keli Leaupepe who didn’t play in the BYU’s last game against LMU. The last two times he has played against the Cougars however, he has been dominant averaging 21 points (significaly higher than his 9.3 average), 6.5 rebounds and shooting 68% from the field.

Don’t be shocked tonight if this game comes down to one possession or even goes to overtime. Let’s just hope BYU comes out on top.

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