Coming off a season-opening victory, the BYU Cougars are looking very strong behind its combination of a young core with veteran production. Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings are already drawing the eye of NBA scouts, and leading their team into a very promising year.
In this, the Cougars' second challenge of the season, they're facing off with a UC Riverside team who put up a fight against Oregon--keeping the score within single digits for much of the contest--before ultimately falling to the Ducks in Eugene.
Not averse to a challenge, however, Coach Mike Magpayo and his Highlanders are heading to a hostile environment in the Marriott Center of BYU to challenge the new-look Cougars.
In true Highlander fashion, when it comes to who can win at the end of this battle...
BYU vs UC Riverside Game Preview
The Cougars enter this game as heavy favorites to earn their second win of the season, as ESPN gives BYU a 96.9% chance of walking away victorious over the visiting Highlanders. Behind the guidance of Kevin Young and high-level athletes on the depth chart, BYU is hoping to turn this season into a showcase of their top players' NBA skills.
They just might happen to win plenty of games along the way.
Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings are getting plenty of NBA Draft buzz after both players put up an excellent display against Central Arkansas. With Demin's passing ability and Catchings' natural comfort in catch-and-shoot situations, that pair is a dangerous one-two punch that many teams will likely struggle to defend.
Richie Saunders and Keba Keita may not be getting the same NBA looks, but their value to this BYU squad was unquantifiable in game one, with Saunders' shooting ability paired with his ever-revving motor stunning his opponent, and Keita's lob threat in conjunction with his rim-protection keeps other teams honest, and helps keep the offense well-spaced for Demin to move the defense to his will.
It's a match made in heaven.
For UC Riverside, this team is more than you may see at first glance, though they'll be large underdogs in this meeting. Led by reigning Big West Freshman of the Year and Preseason All-Big West selection Barrington Hargress is a significant scoring threat, and he led this Highlander offense with 20 points against Oregon.
The Highlanders were picked to finish fourth in conference play this season by Big West coaches, but they'll be a sneaky choice to work their way into March Madness at the end of this season.
Here's my point: don't underestimate this UC Riverside squad. They're a well-coached group entering Coach Magpayo's fifth season, and he's already helped two of his players earn Big West Freshman of the Year--in back to back seasons!
Though the talent gap between BYU and UCR shouldn't be understated, there's something to be said about continuity and familiarity when it comes to building a basketball team. BYU is heavily favored--and they should be--but don't be surprised if you see the visitors keep the game uncomfortably close.