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

3. The Cougars need to avoid their droughts

As good as the Cougars offense is (9th in the country in adjusted offense efficiency), BYU is susceptible to scoring droughts.  Even in their blowout win over Pepperdine, the Waves went on a 16-0 run in the first half.

The Cougars were able to survive that run but were not so lucky in their 83-82 loss last Saturday at San Francisco (15-7, 4-3, #95 NET).  With a 54-40 lead in the second half, the Cougars let the Dons go on a 32-5 run against the Cougars.

Meanwhile, the Gaels are known for their big runs.  Of course, the best known was in their game against Arizona State (12-8, #56 NET) in Phoenix.  The Gaels won the game 96-56 while going on a 25-4 run in the first half.

Saint Mary’s is led by guard Jordan Ford who was a first-team All-WCC player last year.  Ford is averaging 21.2 ppg.

When Ford is on, watch out!  He has scored 30 or more points in four ballgames this season.  The Cougars will hope to take a cue from San Francisco in the Gaels’ 58-48 win at Moraga.  Ford only tallied eight points, all from the free throw line, while shooting 0-7 on two-point field goals and 0 for 2 from beyond the arc.

Next. Bubble Watch. dark

This BYU – Saint Mary’s rematch should be a good one, with the Cougars probably favored by two scoring possessions.  If Childs takes care of business inside, the Cougars hit their treys, and BYU controls any Saint Mary’s run, the home team should come away with the win.