BYU @ San Francisco Game Preview
By James Pigott
March 8, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco Dons guard Avry Holmes (12) celebrates with guard/forward Tim Derksen (32) against the San Diego Toreros during the second half in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
BYU Cougars (12-4, 2-1) @ San Francisco Dons (7-8, 1-2)
Date: Saturday, January 3, 2015
Location: War Memorial Gymnasium, San Francisco, CA
Time: 8:00 PM PT
TV: CSN Bay Area, Root Sports Northwest/Rocky Mountain
Livestream: http://thew.tv/live/mens-basketball-byu-at-san-francisco-csn-bay-area
Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=70666
PROJECTED STARTERS
BYU
Kyle Collinsworth, 13.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 5.6 APG
Tyler Haws, 21.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG
Chase Fischer, 13.4 PPG
Anson Winder, 14.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG
Luke Worthington, 3.1 PPG
San Francisco
Matt Glover, 7.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.3 APG
Tim Derksen, 11.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG
Devin Watson, 5.7 PPG
Mark Tollefsen, 15.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG
Kruize Pinkins, 15.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG
Keys to the Game for BYU
USF gets a majority of their scoring from the low post, so the Cougars will likely put Worthington and Corbin Kaufusi on Kruize Pinkins, and Kyle Collinsworth on Mark Tollefsen. Despite being 6’9, Tollefsen is more of a perimeter player, so look for Collinsworth to play strong defense on him. BYU thrives in transition and has the quality guards to make the fast paced game work.
BYU needs to get Tyler Haws more shot attempts, so he can work his way back from this lingering ankle injury. Kyle Collinsworth’s assist numbers are up from last season so he can continue to find shooters such as Chase Fischer, Anson Winder, Jake Toolson, and Haws on the perimeter.
The biggest key for the Cougars is trying to limit the freight train that is Kruize Pinkins, who has the strength to match up with the BYU bigs. It’s not as though BYU’s centers will be able to get him in foul trouble because they are not assertive offensively, so they will have to do a good job guarding him in the post for extended periods of time.
Previewing USF (By Mary Harvill)
Winter break has been a frustrating one for the Dons. The team is on a losing streak and the game against BYU won’t likely stop the slide. Call me Debbie Downer or call me realistic. Something’s gotta give for the Dons or they will be playing for the basement of the WCC this year which is ridiculous given the talent they have.
Kruize Pinkins struggled to get around the defensive play surrounding him by Saint Mary’s and San Diego. Mark Tollefsen has been carrying the team on his shoulders with his dynamic moves and accurate shooting. Though Tim Derksen was quiet against San Diego, his workhorse efforts are always on display even if it doesn’t always register on the stat line. Matt Glover, Devin Watson and Chris Adams keep the home fires burning but their average points per game of 7.3, 5.7 and 5.1 aren’t enough to make up the shortfall when Pinkins isn’t scoring his customary 15.0 points per game.
Look for the Dons to use their best efforts to slow down Kyle Collinsworth, WCC Player of the Week twice this season so far, the week of December 6, 2014 and December 30, 2014. They will also have to find a way to neutralize Tyler Haws, the first order of scoring for BYU who averages 21.6 points per game. Anson Winder, Senior guard who racks up 14.5 points per game and guard Chase Fischer, the sensational West Virginia native with 13.4 points. An interesting line-up featuring 4 guards and 1 forward will challenge USF’s more traditional approach with the two guard, two forward, sometimes a center and sometimes a guard/forward.
Best strategy for the Dons is to play well enough to avoid an embarrassing blow out at home.