BYU looks to keep NCAA tournament hopes alive at San Diego
By James Pigott
San Diego Toreros (16-14, 7-10) vs. BYU Cougars (20-10, 12-5)
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2014
Location: Jenny Craig Pavilion, San Diego, CA
Time: 1:00 PM PST
TV: TWC SN, ROOT, CSN CA
Video: http://www.thew.tv/
LiveStats: http://www.wccsports.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbaskbl.html?event=1287482&school=west&sport=mbaskbl&camefrom=&startschool=&
This Season: BYU won 87-53 at the Marriott Center.
PROJECTED STARTERS
San Diego
Christopher Anderson, 9.5 PPG, 5.9 APG
Johnny Dee, 17.0 PPG
Brett Bailey, 2.7 PPG
Jito Kok, 4.1 PPG, 1.8 BPG
Dennis Kramer, 11.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG
BYU
Kyle Collinsworth, 13.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.9 APG
Anson Winder, 6.0 PPG
Tyler Haws, 23.3 PPG
Josh Sharp, 1.7 PPG
Nate Austin, 3.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG
LIVESTREAM (Subject to blackout) *Brought to you by thew.tv:
Keys to the Game
San Diego
Play at your pace
Its pretty clear that San Diego wants to play this game in the 60s while BYU wants to play in the 80s. For San Diego to keep this game under control, they need to slow the ball when they don’t have easy baskets in transition and avoid quicky, early, jacked up threes from Duda Sanadze.
BYU
Matty basketball
The most hit/miss player in college basketball history, the Cougars are nearly impossible to stop when he’s on but struggle when he’s off. There is no such thing as an okay game for Carlino, so BYU better hope he’s shooting well and distributing or they will be the next victim at the Jenny Craig Pavilion after Gonzaga lost there last weekend.
Key Matchup
Johnny Dee vs. Tyler Haws: Not a real surprise here. The best player on each team is also the most crucial player for each team. Haws has been quiet lately, but can he get it going tonight? Dee has been consistent all season as he has needed to pick up some of the scoring load left by graduated seniors Ken Rancifer and Chris Manresa last season. The better performer in this game should give his team a distinct advantage at that position.
Prediction
Not only is BYU playing for their NCAA Tournament lives, but also for the #2 seed in the WCC Tournament. So that is double motivation. They will feel the sense of urgency that Gonzaga did not necessarily feel last week at San Diego. BYU 83, San Diego 68.