3. Utah must try to contain Yoeli Childs as much as possible
Junior forward Yoeli Childs is BYU’s best player, the 6-8 225lb. big man averages a double-double with 22.9 points and 11.4 rebounds while being 2nd on the team in assists (3.2) and swatting a team-leading 1.2 shots per game. For the Utes to be successful they have to try and limit the big man as much as possible.
This is another aspect where in order for the Utes to have a shot in this game they will have to use their frontcourt depth and length to combat Childs. With six players that are 6-6 or taller, it might behoove the Utes to put a number of those players on Childs and make him work as hard as they can for his offensive opportunities.
I suspect Tillman and Battin will be the main combatants for Childs but I also would not be surprised if Topalovic and Johnson play a bit more than usual in an effort to try and contain Childs. One of the other things Utah can do is feed those same big men in an effort to tire out Childs on the defensive end and perhaps get him into foul trouble.
If Childs gets to close to his averages, the Utes will be in trouble, but containing him just a little will give Utah a fighting chance.
Prediction: BYU wins