BYU Cougars
West Coast (24-8, 13-3)
BYU has quietly worked their way on to the national landscape this season as they have played their way into the top 20 in just about every poll. The Cougars had a huge signature win over Gonzaga back on February 22nd when they beat the Bulldogs 91-78. Head Coach Mark Pope has made a big impact since taking over for Dave Rose as BYU brings a style of play that is fun to watch for college basketball fans everywhere.
Big Wins: 11/15 at Houston (72-71), 2/1 St. Mary’s (81-79), 2/22 Gonzaga (91-78)
Bad Losses: 11/20 at Boise State (68-72), 12/4 at Utah (95-102), 1/25 at San Francisco (82-83)
Coach: Mark Pope
Why They Can Surprise:
Experience is in favor of the Cougars as they are a very senior laden team that shouldn’t be phased too much by the NCAA Tournament setting. They can also knock down shots consistently as they have made 50.4 percent of their shots from the floor heading into the NCAA Tournament. Yoeli Childs, Jake Toolson and TJ Haws are the leaders of this balanced offense. Childs is a threat to go off for a double-double as he is averaging 22.2 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game so far this season. Toolson and Haws have that ability to beat you from the perimeter and have invaluable leadership skills that will be very crucial to this upcoming postseason journey. Sharing the basketball is another reason why BYU can surprise some folks this postseason as they are averaging 17.7 assists per game, which ranks 2nd overall in college basketball.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Some potential issues that could get in the way of the Cougars making it to the Sweet 16 and beyond would be a bad shooting half that would put them behind by double digits. BYU struggled shooting in the first half of the losses to San Diego State and Saint Mary’s, shooting 36.4 percent against the Aztecs and 41.4 percent against the Gaels. Free throwing is another potential issue as the Cougars are only shooting 70.4 percent from the charity stripe on the year. The rebounding battle is something else to watch as that could be problematic. BYU has not been dominant team on the glass as their -0.4 rebounding margin illustrates.
Probable Starters:
Jake Toolson, Senior, Guard,15.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.9 apg
TJ Haws, Senior, Guard, 14.0 ppg, 5.8 apg
Alex Barcello, Junior, Guard, 9.3 ppg, 1.8 apg
Yoeli Childs, Senior, Forward, 22.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg
Kolby Lee, Sophomore, Forward, 7.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Key Role Players:
Zac Seljass, Senior, Guard, 6.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Connor Harding, Sophomore, Guard, 6.1 ppg, 1.3 apg
Dalton Nixon, Senior, Forward, 7.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 80.6 (9th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.9 (165, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 50.4 (3, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.0 (239, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 10.5 (4, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 42.3 (1, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.4 (192, 5)
Rebound Margin: -0.4 (198, 6)
Assists Per Game: 17.7 (2, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.9 (20, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NIT | First Round loss to Stanford |
| 2017 | NIT | First Round loss to UT-Arlington |
| 2016 | NIT | First Round win over UAB |
| 2016 | NIT | Second Round win over Virginia Tech |
| 2016 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Creighton |
| 2016 | NIT | Semifinal loss to Valparaiso |
| 2015 | NCAA | Opening Round loss to Mississippi |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Oregon |
| 2013 | NIT | First Round win over Washington |
| 2013 | NIT | Second Round win over Mercer |
| 2013 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Southern Mississippi |
| 2013 | NIT | Semifinal loss to Baylor |
| 2012 | NCAA | Opening Round win over Iona |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Marquette |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Wofford |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Gonzaga |
| 2011 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Florida |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Florida |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Kansas State |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Texas A&M |
| 2008 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Texas A&M |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Xavier |
*all team stats through 3/8
