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Gonzaga Basketball: Keys to success vs. BYU in 2019-20

By Lukas Harkins

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 18: Gonzaga Bulldogs t-shirts are draped over stadium seats prior to the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 18, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 18: Gonzaga Bulldogs t-shirts are draped over stadium seats prior to the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 18, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Kispert of the Bulldogs talks. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Kispert of the Bulldogs talks. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

1. Defend the perimeter.

BYU enters this game as arguably the most dangerous 3-point shooting team in the country. Head coach Mark Pope has quickly implemented his perimeter-centric offense since arriving in Provo this offseason and it has paid off in a big way to this point the season. Behind the contributions of several sharpshooters, the Cougars are connecting on 40.1% of their trifectas so far this season. That level of efficiency ranks fifth nationally and it is a major reason why the team lets 3-pointers fly at such high volumes (67th in 3PAr).

To summarize how deadly BYU’s shooters can be, they are scoring 39.3% of their total points as a team on 3-point attempts. The Cougars are boasting seven different players hitting at least one trifecta per game and their ability to space the floor at every position makes them very dangerous offensively. Even though Childs (8-for-12 3P) is likely to miss this contest, Kolby Lee can knock down the occasional open 3-pointer as well (3-for-5 in the last five games) at the center spot.

Given all of these statistics, it is clear that Gonzaga will have its hands full defending the perimeter. If the Bulldogs allow the Cougars to get hot from distance, then this will be a much closer game than many experts are expecting heading in. To this point in the year, Gonzaga’s opponents have been shooting a respectable 32.4% from three. BYU, though, represents easily the best 3-point shooting team that Zaga has faced this season.

Considering this will be a battle of elite offenses, whichever team is able to shut down the other’s scoring strength will have a major advantage. For Gonzaga, that means doing its best to neutralize BYU’s perimeter shooting.