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BYU Basketball: 2019-20 keys for home game against Saint Mary’s Gaels

By J.D. Caldwell

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mark Pope of the BYU Cougars features to his players during the second half of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 27, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mark Pope of the BYU Cougars features to his players during the second half of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 27, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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1. Yoeli Childs versus Malik Fitts

This game will see a match between two of the best WCC post players not in a Gonzaga Bulldog uniform.  Yoeli Childs was not available in the first game between these two schools with his dislocated finger.

Childs has missed 13 games on the season, nine early in the year due to suspension and four for the finger injury.  The 6’8 225-pound senior from South Jordan, Utah is putting up 21.2 ppg and 9.7 rpg in only 29.6 minutes.  He is shooting 13 for 22 (59.1%) in three-point land and can kick the ball to teammates for treys when double-teamed.

Malik Fitts is averaging 16.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg in 34.5 minutes of play.  Fitts is known for draining the occasional three-pointer, as well.  The 6’8 230-pound junior has shot 44 for 106 (41.5%) from beyond the arc.  Fitts is coming off a big game against Portland, in which he scored 27 points, going 7 for 14 on three-pointers.

Childs will need to win the inside game against Fitts.  The Cougars do not have much depth in the post.  Fortunately for BYU, Childs has not fouled out of a game all season.  On the other hand, Fitts has fouled out of three games but has played under more control lately.

Elsewhere in the interior for the Cougars, 6’9 240-pound sophomore Kolby Lee has been solid.  Lee is 7.7 ppg and 3.4 rpg.

For Saint Mary’s, their post players have been inconsistent since 6’10 240-pound sophomore Matthias Tass was lost for the season on Dec. 21.  6’7 220-pound sophomore Dan Fotu has been starting in the place of Tass and is averaging 5.1 ppg and 3.0 rpg.

The Gaels will hope 6’6 205-pound senior Tanner Krebs will be available.  He left the Portland game in the first half and did not return due to injury.