BYU looks to keep momentum going against LMU
By James Pigott
Dec 11, 2013; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3), Brigham Young Cougars forward Eric Mika (00) and Prairie View A
BYU Cougars (10-7, 2-2) vs. LMU Lions (10-7, 2-3)
Date: Saturday, January 11, 2014
Location: Marriott Center, Provo, Utah
Time: 6:00 PM PST
TV: BYUtv
Video: http://www.byutv.org/
LiveStats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=33649
Last Season: BYU won both matchups. The Cougars defeated the Lions 92-51 in Provo, and 73-70 in Malibu.
PROJECTED STARTERS
BYU
Kyle Collinsworth, 13.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 5.6 APG
Skyler Halford, 8.8 PPG
Tyler Haws, 22.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG
Eric Mika, 13.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG
Nate Austin, 4.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG
LMU
Anthony Ireland, 19.1 PPG, 5.4 APG
Evan Payne, 14.7 PPG
C.J. Blackwell, 3.8 PPG
Alex Osborne, 6.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG
Gabe Levin, 11.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG
KEYS TO THE GAME
BYU
Hold Loyola Marymount under 75 points: The Cougars have struggled stopping teams defensively, which included giving up 87 points to LMU just 2 weeks ago on December 28th to open up league play. The key will be stopping Anthony Ireland who does a little bit of everything for the Lions. This is where Matt Carlino can come in off the bench and provide pesky defense.
LMU
Get Levin and Dickinson going: The team’s two best interior presences struggled in the Lions’ last game against San Diego, combining for 3/11 shooting and only 11 points. With Eric Mika potentially out for BYU, they will have a chance to dominate the paint and put Nate Austin on the bench in foul trouble.
KEY MATCHUP
Kyle Collinsworth vs. Anthony Ireland: The two point guards have both had outstanding seasons scoring and distributing the ball. Whoever keeps command of their team better during the tight moments of the game will be able to lead their team to victory.
PREDICTION
BYU is so deep on the perimeter that even potentially without Eric Mika, they will still have the firepower to defeat LMU at the Marriott Center. I predict a 82-74 victory for BYU.