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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Fousseyni Traore #45 of the Brigham Young Cougars (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

2. Give Timme the ball against the smaller Fousseyni Traore

The best player for the BYU Cougars this season has been Traore, who leads the team with 12.8 ppg and 7.9 rpg and has been the lone consistent player on offense. The limitation for the sophomore center is that he’s 6’6 and 250 pounds and vulnerable against bigger frontcourt players.

That would include Timme, who had 30 points on 13/14 shooting last season against Traore. He only had 13 points in the second game in Provo in 27 minutes but between Chet Holmgren going for 20 points and 17 rebounds and the game being a 90-57 blowout, the Gonzaga star wasn’t really needed.

This puts the Cougars in a bad spot because you don’t want to double Timme when guys like Rasir Bolton and Julian Strawther are lurking on the perimeter. But on the other hand, leaving Traore alone puts him in danger of getting into foul trouble and his backup, Atiki Ally Atiki, is bigger but doesn’t provide the same offensive impact.

This should be a raucous environment that could affect the shooting from the Bulldogs’ guards. The best way to negate that is to have easy post touches from your All-American big man. And unlike San Francisco, BYU’s frontcourt won’t be able to give Timme much trouble.