BYU Basketball: 2019-20 keys for game at Gonzaga Bulldogs

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: Killian Tillie #33 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs comes up with a loose ball against Dalton Nixon #33 of the Brigham Young Cougars during the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

4 of 4

LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mark Pope of the BYU Cougars (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

3. The Cougars have to hit their threes

Upsets on the road are usually fueled by three-pointers and BYU has the shooters to do it. The Cougars are ranked #8 in three-point field goal percentage at 39.6%, resulting in 39.5% of their points coming from three-pointers which is #23 in the country.

Meanwhile, perimeter defense is Gonzaga’s weakness when opponents have the basketball. The Zags are only ranked #207 while allowing opponents to shoot 33.7% from beyond the arc.

Graduate transfer Jake Toolson leads the way for the Cougars, shooting 42 for 95 (44.2%). He is followed by senior T.J. Haws going 33 for 98 (33.7%) and junior Alex Barcello at 25 for 62 (40.3%).

Seljaas fired up his team and the Marriott Center crowd by nailing five treys on five attempts against Portland, to invoke his unique “mustache salute.” He has drained 23 for 60 on the season (38.3%). Sophomore Connor Harding is coming off the bench with 21 for 48 attempts (43.8%).

dark. Next. Latest WCC Power Rankings

The Cougars have plenty of shooters that will have to be hotter than pistols against the Gonzaga perimeter defense to give BYU a chance. If they can defend the interior without Yoeli Childs in the lineup, the Cougars may have a chance to pull the upset. In reality, keeping the game within single digits would be a significant accomplishment in Spokane, albeit not satisfying to the Cougars.