WCC Power Rankings: February 17th
By Josh Horton
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
2. BYU
On Feb. 4th: 2 (Idle)
Record: 18-10 (10-5)
RPI: 45
KenPom: 54
Place in Conf. Standings: 2
Last Week: L @ Pac. (82-89), W @ SMC (60-57)
By Andrew Perkins
This week was a tale of two games for the Cougars.
On Thursday, BYU played a solid first half at Pacific, only to implode in the second half. For the umpteenth time this year, the Cougars got torched from deep, as the Tigers hit 7 of 9 after the break. The result: 89-82 in favor of Pacific.
On Saturday in Moraga, however, BYU rolled out a lackluster first half, only to get it together mid-way through the second half. Unlike Thursday’s game, this time the Cougars’ opponent shot a paltry 32 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. Saint Mary’s couldn’t find Brad Waldow enough down the stretch, and BYU was able to make stops and force turnovers. Looking at this up and down season, BYU fans would have never guessed that the Cougars would be able to win (60-57) a grind-it-out road game against the Gaels. It was a pleasant surprise, to be sure.
Overall, this week was a snapshot of BYU’s season as a whole. One day they can’t defend their way out of a paper bag, and the next day they fly all over the place. One day they lose to a team they shouldn’t lose to, and the next day they register a tough win against a quality team. Both days they bricked free throws. And the team they lost to on Thursday laid an egg on Saturday.