WCC Quarterfinal Preview: #2 BYU vs. #10 LMU
By James Pigott
Jan 18, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Loyola Marymount Lions forward Nick Stover (11) makes a three pointer over Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Drew Barham (43) in the second half at Gersten Pavilion. Gonzaga defeated Loyola Marymount 82-72. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports
BYU Cougars (21-10, 13-5) vs. #10 Loyola Marymount Lions (13-18, 4-14)
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2014
Location: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, Nev.
Time: 2:30 PM PST
TV: BYUtv
Video: http://www.byutv.org/
Live stats: http://www.wccsports.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbaskbl.html?event=1286260&school=west&sport=mbaskbl&camefrom=&startschool=&
This Season: LMU won 87-76 at Gersten Pavilion. BYU won 91-68 at the Marriott Center.
PROJECTED STARTERS
BYU
Kyle Collinsworth, 13.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 4.9 APG
Anson Winder, 6.1 PPG
Tyler Haws, 23.4 PPG
Luke Worthington, 1.1 PPG
Nate Austin, 4.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG
Loyola Marymount
Anthony Ireland, 18.5 PPG 5.4 APG
Evan Payne, 15.5 PPG
Nick Stover, 4.5 PPG
Alex Osborne, 6.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG
Gabe Levin, 10.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG
Keys to the Game
BYU
Control Ireland and Payne: These two, especially Payne, had their way when LMU pulled of a WCC conference opening defeat of BYU. Payne had 27 points and Ireland had 9 assists. So it is clear that BYU will want to keep the ball out of Ireland’s hands as much as possible and to make Evan Payne work to get open shots.
LMU
Slow the game down when possible: The higher scoring the game is, the more likely it is that BYU will win. At the moment, BYU currently has an 11 man rotation, while LMU has only a 7 man rotation. The Lions cannot afford to try to go up and down with this high powered Cougar offense.
Key Matchup
Tyler Haws vs. Nick Stover: Will Stover’s size allow him to bother Tyler Haws? If Haws goes off, BYU should have no problem on offense. If Stover can frustrate Haws into poor shot attempts, LMU will have a chance to play their low-scoring game.
Prediction
BYU basically knows that if they lose before the championship game, they will more than likely not be dancing. To that end, they will be more motivated to win the game, although LMU is familiar with playing spoiler during the WCC Tournament. An interesting matchup, but the Cougars will get this one. BYU 82, LMU 66.