BYU vs. Pacific Game Preview
By James Pigott
Feb 13, 2014; Stockton, CA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars guard Kyle Collinsworth (5) drives to the basket against the Pacific Tigers during the first half at Alex G. Spanos Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Pacific Tigers (10-15, 2-11) @ BYU Cougars (19-8, 9-5)
Date: Saturday, February 14, 2015
Location: Marriott Center
Time: 7:00 PM MT
TV: BYUtv (Dave McCann, Blaine Fowler, Spencer Linton)
Livestream: byutv.org
Live Stats: BYU StatBroadcast
PROJECTED STARTERS
BYU
Kyle Collinsworth, 13.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 5.6 APG
Chase Fischer, 13.5 PPG
Tyler Haws, 22.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG
Josh Sharp, 1.8 PPG
Corbin Kaufusi, 2.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG
Pacific
TJ Wallace, 13.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.7 APG
David Taylor, 6.3 PPG
Eric Bowles, 6.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG
Eric Thompson, 7.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG
Gabriel Aguirre, 7.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG
Tigers Rebuilding, Inexperience Shows in Results
Unless you are Kentucky, it is very difficult for a college basketball team to remain competitive after losing 85% of your scoring from the previous season. That is exactly the dilemma Ron Verlin and the Pacific Tigers are dealing with this season. With a slew of freshmen and JUCO transfers trying to acclimate to the Division 1 level, the Tigers haven’t had success in their second season in the West Coast Conference. They have been competitive in many league games however, as 5 of their 11 losses in WCC play have come by 7 or fewer points. TJ Wallace, the only player who had a lot of playing time last season, has been the Tigers’ best player, but with so much pressure on him to do everything (he leads the team scoring, rebounding and assists), he has had some shooting difficulties and some poor scoring outputs. After a four game slump where he never scored more than 6 points, he has been more consistent lately, and if the Tigers want any chance to win, Wallace needs to score for this offensively challenged team.
Keys to Keeping BYU’s “Tourney Train” Rolling
BYU had their best game of the season in the 82-60 victory over Saint Mary’s, and believe or not, they have been playing much better the last two games after Josh Sharp, who started 22 games as a sophomore, was inserted into the starting lineup. The latest of many injuries for the Cougars is Anson Winder, who is listed as questionable for tonight’s game with a groin injury. With Winder and Fischer’s injuries lately, Skyler Halford has stepped up in a big time fashion, averaging 13.3 PPG in 24.9 MPG over the last eight games. Kyle Collinsworth set the NCAA record with five triple-doubles in one season, and has continued to rebound well while looking for his shot on offense. When he penetrates the lane, defenders help, allowing him to rack up those assists. Tyler Haws has been solid lately but hasn’t been extraordinary on offense. He has shot below 50% from the field in six consecutive games, but usually eclipses the 20 point mark because of how often he gets to the free throw line. As long as Corbin Kaufusi and Ryan Andrus, now the two primary centers, stay active and grab a decent number of rebounds, BYU shouldn’t have too much trouble guarding Pacific.
Current Line: BYU is favored to win by 16.5 points.