BYU @ San Diego Game Preview
By James Pigott
Jan 4, 2014; Provo, UT, USA; San Diego Toreros guard Chris Sarbaugh (5) dribbles the ball while being guarded by Brigham Young Cougars guard Kyle Collinsworth (5) during the first half at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
BYU Cougars (15-6, 5-3) @ San Diego Toreros (9-11, 2-6)
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2015
Location: Jenny Craig Pavilion
Time: 1:00 PM PT
TV: WCC Game of the Week, TWC SN, ROOT NW/RM, CSN CA
Livestream: theW.tv
Live Stats: CBSSports.com GameTracker
PROJECTED STARTERS
BYU
Kyle Collinsworth, 12.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 5.9 APG
Skyler Halford, 6.2 PPG
Tyler Haws, 22.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG
Chase Fischer, 14.2 PPG
Luke Worthington, 2.4 PPG
San Diego
Christopher Anderson, 8.7 PPG, 6.5 APG
Johnny Dee, 17.5 PPG
Duda Sanadze, 5.8 PPG
Thomas Jacobs, 6.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG
Jito Kok, 6.5 PPG, 2.8 BPG
Keys to the Game for BYU
Getting Anson Winder back in the lineup will be huge, even if he’s not 100%. He’ll likely be tasked with guarding Johnny Dee part of the game, as Dee is the only Torero who is a significant scoring threat. Kyle Collinsworth could guard Dee as well, but he’ll likely be tasked with guarding Thomas Jacobs. If the Cougars are able to slow down Dee, who has been in a recent shooting slump, they’ll likely win comfortably, even if the game is played in the 50s or 60s. BYU will also want to make USD run up and down the court in a fast paced game if possible. The Toreros like to make the game slow and ugly, holding the explosive Gonzaga offense to a mere 60 points earlier in WCC play.
Keys to the Game for San Diego
San Diego needs to develop consistent second and third options on offense so defenses cannot solely key in on Dee. Duda Sanadze averaged 13 points per game last season but he is under 6 points per game in a difficult shooting season this year. Another guy who needs to score more is Chris Anderson. No doubt he is one of the best passers in the WCC, but he needs be able to knock down outside shots as well. Last year, he scored 22 points when BYU played at San Diego, and he’ll need to try to replicate that performance if the Toreros want to beat the traveling Cougars.
Prediction
BYU’s offense and defense will benefit tremendously from Anson Winder’s return, USD won’t be able to use their shot-blocking specialist Jito Kok because BYU mainly shoots from the perimeter. BYU will win in a low scoring contest, 65-52.