BYU vs. Eastern Kentucky Game Preview
By James Pigott
Nov 24, 2014; Lahaina, Maui, HI, USA; Brigham Young Cougars bench and fans react to Brigham Young scoring against the San Diego State Aztecs during the 2014 EA Sports Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. San Diego State defeats Brigham Young 92-87 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
BYU Cougars (4-2) vs. Eastern Kentucky Colonels (4-0)
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2014
Location: Marriott Center, Provo, UT
Time: 7:30 PM MT
TV: BYUtv
Livestream: http://www.byutv.org/
Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=68971
PROJECTED STARTERS
BYU
Kyle Collinsworth, 11.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.4 APG
Tyler Haws, 21.5 PPG
Chase Fischer, 15.7 PPG
Nate Austin, 4.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG
Luke Worthington, 4.7 PPG
Eastern Kentucky
Corey Walden, 20. 5 PPG, 4.3 APG
Issaac McGlone, 5.3 PPG
Tommy Knipp, 8.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.0 APG
JaMill Powell, 11.0 PPG
Eric Stutz, 13.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG
Meet the Opponent
Eastern Kentucky is underfeated and averaging almost 95 points per game this season. However, they have not had any significant competition and two of their victories were complete and utter demolitions of non-D1 schools. Regardless of who they were playing, it is clear that they like to push the ball up and down the court similar to the way BYU does. Their best scorer is also their point guard in Corey Walden, who will present similar challenges to BYU that Long Beach State’s Mike Caffey brought at the Marriott Center. This team is very well rounded and can score in a variety of ways from many different players.
Keys to the game for BYU
The Cougars were really good in Maui when they were hitting shots, but when their offense struggled, their defense wasn’t able to pick them up enough and get crucial stops when they needed it the most. They didn’t get the stops they needed to in the overtimes against San Diego State and Purdue, and had some struggles offensively against pressure. Against EKU the Cougars will want to make sure they take care of the ball and take the best shot, not the first shot. Kyle Collinsworth is as close to 100% as he’s been since the ACL injury in March, but BYU will need him to score some baskets on the inside because their bigs don’t do too much of that. Anson Winder has showed how he thrives in the transition game, is really strong off the bounce, and can be a defensive stopper. Expect to continue to see a lot of him on the court. If the Cougars are able to sprint back in transition, they should be able to limit the Colonels’ high paced offense and force them to run half court offense.
Prediction
The Cougars get a bit of a break after a rough and physical three days in Maui, but EKU will be no slouch. The Cougars will use their experience and home court advantage to handle Eastern Kentucky, 92-77.