Gonzaga Basketball: 2021-22 keys for Bulldogs to beat BYU at home

By Tuck Clarry | Jan 13, 2022

Dec 18, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Anton Watson (22), guard Julian Strawther (0) and center Chet Holmgren (34) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Colangelo Classic at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 4

Alex Barcello Brigham Young Cougars Jalen Suggs Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Leverage the guards’ athleticism

For BYU to stay in this game they will need to figure out how to get Barcello clean and quality looks. He’s averaging just 10.25 points over his last four games after 18.61 points his previous 13 games. If He’s unable to elude his man, the Cougars are going to struggle to find offense from outside.

The other major contributing guards, Te’Jon Lucas, Trevin Knell, and Spencer Johnson, are averaging 29% from outside over the last four games. Barcello himself is having a slump by his standards, shooting 38% as opposed to his 48% three-point average on the year. He was 0-5 against Saint Mary’s.

Lucas, the team’s starting point guard this season, has struggled a bit since head coach Mark Pope has begun tinkering with the lineup to shore up their size limitations. Lucas has averaged three turnovers over this time which is only worsened by the fact that BYU has drastically slowed their tempo.

BYU also has averaged more turnovers than Gonzaga has over the past four games, which is particularly notable considering the difference in pace of play for the Cougars (more turnovers in fewer possessions). Unlike Pepperdine, Pope’s team will surely avoid keeping the pace that Gonzaga will want to run at, which will make forcing turnovers a key to controlling the game.