BYU travels to San Francisco to face the Dons

Nov 26, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Brigham Young Cougars guard

(3) shoots as Wichita State Shockers guard

(15) defends during the second half of the game at Sprint Center. Wichita won 75-62. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco Dons (11-7, 4-2) vs. BYU Cougars (11-7, 3-2)

Date: Thursday, January 16, 2014

Location: War Memorial Gymnasium, San Francisco, CA

Time: 6:00 PM PST

TV: ESPNU

Video: WatchESPN.com

LiveStats:  http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/usf.portal#

Last Season: BYU won at San Francisco 80-76, while San Francisco won at Provo 99-87.

PROJECTED STARTERS

San Francisco

Matt Glover, 9.2 PPG, 3.6 APG

Avry Holmes, 11.4 PPG, 2.8 APG

Cole Dickerson, 13.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG

Kruize Pinkins, 11.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG

Mark Tollefsen, 11.7 PPG

BYU

Kyle Collinsworth, 13.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 5.6 APG

Skyler Halford, 8.4 PPG

Tyler Haws, 23.1 PPG

Eric Mika, 13.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG

Nate Austin, 4.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG

KEYS TO THE GAME

San Francisco

Point guard play a necessity: Whether it’s Matt Glover, Avry Holmes, or Tim Derksen, someone needs to step up and lead the team with steady play from the point guard position.  Cole Dickerson‘s numbers are down from last season, and I really think he misses Cody Doolin (the same way Elias Harris missed Matt Bouldin for Gonzaga in 2010-11).

BYU

Have at least 4 guards play productive minutes: There have been times this season when Frank Bartley, Anson Winder, and Matt Carlino have been in Dave Rose’s doghouse.  BYU has gotten excellent play all season from Kyle Collinsworth and Tyler Haws, but they need other guards to step up because the front court does not give them much offensively (especially if Mika is not healthy).

KEY MATCHUP

Cole Dickerson vs. Kyle Collinsworth:  With San Francisco moving to a 3-forward lineup, BYU will need a guard (most likely Collinsworth) to guard the physical specimen that is Cole Dickerson.  On the other end, Dickerson or Tollefsen will have to play out on the perimeter against Collinsworth.  It will be interesting to see which team benefits more from this mismatch.

PREDICTION

The last two games BYU has played at War Memorial Gym were both thrillers.  Matt Carlino has combined for 52 points in his two career games at War Memorial, so expect him to keep it going in that favorable atmosphere.  I expect USF to put up a resilient fight, but they won’t be able to handle the high powered Cougar offense.  In a high scoring game, I predict a 89-83 victory for BYU.