Gonzaga Basketball: 3 keys to beating BYU Cougars in final trip to Provo

Jan 13, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Anton Watson (22) shoots the ball against Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won 110-84. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

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Gonzaga Basketball forward Drew Timme Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

As was expected, WCC play was going to be far from an easy task for Gonzaga Basketball. Last week, they took a California road trip to take on both San Francisco and Santa Clara. Both games not only ended up as nailbiters but also were trailing in most of the second half.

In the last game, the Bulldogs trailed by as many as 11 points to the Broncos, before a run led by Nolan Hickman allowed them to take the late lead and hold on for the 81-76 victory. The sophomore guard had 20 points on 8/9 shooting, including 4/5 from three-point range. Drew Timme also had 20 in the game, along with 18 points from Julian Strawther.

Gonzaga (14-3, 3-0) has one more road game but it’s against one of the toughest environments in the nation in Provo, Utah. In the past 10 years since the BYU Cougars joined the WCC, the Mariott Center has been home to several victories for the home team.

With BYU moving to the Big 12 after this season, this will be the last confirmed game between them in Provo, barring a new scheduling agreement. The Cougars (13-6, 3-1) are coming off a win over San Diego but before that, a setback loss at LMU. With defeats to both South Dakota and Utah Valley also on the resume, BYU isn’t a projected postseason team.

But that doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable of a shocker at home and should be very motivated in this matchup with their “rival”. Here are the keys for the Bulldogs to make it 3-0 on the road.