Houston Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Cougars against BYU Cougars

TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 24: Nate Hinton #11 of the Houston Cougars celebrates a three pointer shot by teammate Corey Davis Jr. #5 (not pictured) to take the lead during the first half of the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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RENO, NV – NOVEMBER 06: TJ Haws #30 of the Brigham Young Cougars has a talk with a referee during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Brigham Young Cougars at Lawlor Events Center on November 6, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

2. Don’t let BYU go off from long range

The reason why BYU withheld Southern Utah in the last game is the 24-point advantage they had from the three-point line. In the first three games, those Cougars have made 27 out of 70 attempts, good for 39% and nine a game. That’s a good percentage overall but considering that they have literally no post offense to speak of, it’s only driving and shooting that BYU can rely on.

Houston has the players capable and switching and keeping with the BYU guards, leaving just the three-point shot as the only real neutralizer to be used. But the WCC team is capable of doing that, led by scoring guards TJ Haws and reigning WAC Player of the Year and Utah Valley transfer Jake Toolson. Each of them can go off for 20+ on a given night and if allowed, can/will put up a ton of three-pointers.

As long as Houston can at least make the duo inefficient from the field in the game, Houston should be in a good position. One player to also keep an eye on is 6’7 wing Zac Seljaas, who at times plays the stretch-forward spot. He shot 50% from three-point range as a freshman but has since struggled to find his shot. The senior has had a better start to the season and is also capable of going for multiple long bombs. Keeping him in check is also important in this game.