The BYU Cougars (23-8) will face the Houston Cougars (28-4) in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament Friday night. This is not the same BYU team that Houston blew out in the Fertitta Center in January. They are led by a cocky coach Kevin Young, who has instilled a confidence in his group. They are 14-3 in their last 17 Big 12 games and are one of the hottest teams in the country.

BYU is 20-1 in games in which they have scored over 80 points. In post-game interviews, their players often discuss playing off two feet and getting wide-open, three-point attempts.

The big question mark will be J’Wan Roberts’ availability. I would personally like to see him sit this one out. Last year, he had a similar situation in the Big 12 title game against Iowa State. He started but ended up sitting out the second half.

Richie Saunders was the head of the snake in the first meeting and that has not changed. He only had 9 points at the Fertitta Center, but has been their best and most consistent guy all year. Saunders has averaged 20 ppg over the last month.

Houston must make this one a rock fight, beating them down throughout the game. The key will be to keep them out of the paint but recover quickly enough not to allow open outside shots. It’s a matchup of vastly different styles.

BYU Offense Notes

• BYU has been making it a priority to get paint touches “off two feet” to look to score or the pass to the corner for open three-point shots. The Coogs should look to run them out of the corner and not allow them to take wide-open looks.
• Like UH, the BYU Cougars run some good NBA set plays. They run a lot of pick-and-roll actions and off-ball screens to open up their shooters.
• BYU wants to run in transition when possible. They have outstanding guards who will push the ball when possible and look to get early looks.
• They are one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country (#1 among P5 teams with 10.8 threes per game). They share the ball at a high level and do not typically settle for bad shots. They have several experienced players that take great shots.
• The Coogs will need to ensure that they box out and keep the Cougs off the offensive glass. Keita and Traore are major offensive rebounding threats in the post.

BYU Defense Notes

• The Cougs love to run a half-court, pack line defense (similar to Virginia). Teams that run the pack line defense tend to keep their heels on or right next to the three-point line when their man has the ball and challenge opponents to make DEEP three-point shots. They want at least four players inside the arc, which makes it difficult for offensive players to drive without getting harassed by multiple players.
• The Coogs can’t get comfortable against the pack line defense and make lazy passes, or the Cougs will make them pay.
• BYU does not leave the paint on post players or non-shooters. They will dare them to shoot the outside shot.
• The Cougs love to trap the corners immediately when the offense starts to drive.
• BYU may attempt a 2-2-1 FC Zone Press. They will likely drop into a 2-3 or 1-3-1 zone when they zone press (they like to trap in the corners in their zone).
• When Mawot Mag defends full-court, they pressure the ball handler and turn it into a “Run and Jump” as soon as he passes half-court. This allows BYU to use the half-court line as a third defender.

BYU Personnel Report (* Indicates Probable Starters)

*#15 – Richie Saunders – 6’5″ – JR – Guard – 16ppg, 4rpg.

• Head of the Snake;
• Tall/scoring guard;
• One of the most improved players in the Big 12. First Team All-Conference;
• Developed into a REALLY good outside shooter. Can shoot from DEEP – 72/166 (43%);
• Outstanding at attacking the basket.

*#3 – Egor Demin – 6’9″ – FR- Guard – (Real Madrid) – 11ppg, 4pg, 5.5apg.

• Tall/lean/explosive guard;
• Outstanding passer with unbelievable court vision.Can fit the ball in tight spots and incredibly good in the pick and roll;
• Great at using his length to get to the rim;
• Has struggled from beyond the arc – 35/126 (28%);

*#0 – Mawot Mag – 6’7″ – GR – Forward – (Rutgers) – 6ppg, 2rpg.

• Long/athletic forward; Extremely long wing-span;
• Defensive specialist: Most guys look to bring an offensive spark off the bench…Mag likes to bring the defensive spark off the bench;
• They like to have him defend the point guard the length of the court;
• Wasn’t shooting many threes earlier in the year, but has developed into one of the top “three and D” guys in the Big 12 – 26/65 (40%).

*#21 – Trevin Knell – 6’5″ – GR – Guard – 9ppg, 3rpg, 44% 3pt.

• Tall shooting guard;
• Elite three-point shooter; 67/152 (44%);
• Capable of getting in the paint to score.

*#13 – Keba Keita – 6’8″ – JR – Forward – (Utah) – 7ppg, 8rpg.

• Strong/Aggressive forward;
• Really good offensive rebounder;
• Not a true back to the basket, throw it inside to him and let him go to work type of post player. Good right around the basket;
• Solid shot-blocker;
• Makes a living doing the dirty work – He’s similar to Ramon Walker Jr. in that regard.

#30 – Dallin Hall – 6’4″ – JR – Guard – 7ppg, 2rpg, 4apg.

• Really solid combo-guard; He is playing more off the ball this year with the emergence of Demin;
• Loves to get his teammates involved. Great drive-and-kick guy;
• Good three-point shooter: 36/96 (38%);
• Not a good free-throw shooter as a guard: 37/56 (66%).

#45 – Fousseyni “Fouss” Traore – 6’6″ – SR – Forward – 9ppg, 5rpg.

• Strong/wide forward; Massive upper body;
• A better post scoring threat than Keita;
• Great touch in the paint; Solid at catching and finishing at the rim;
• Bully around the basket.

#25 – Dawson Baker – 6’4″ – RS/JR – Guard – (UC-Irvine) – 8ppg, 2rpg.

• Sneaky athletic guard;
• Really good three-point shooter; 38% on the season;
• Solid at driving to the basket.

#5 – Mihailo Boskovic – 6’10” – JR – Forward – (Igokea M:tel) – 4ppg, 2rpg.

• Big body forward/center;
• Much improved since January.

#1 – Trey Stewart – 6’2″ – SR – Guard – 1ppg.

• Wasn’t getting minutes in January;
• Being used to guard the other team’s best shooter. I think he will follow LJ around the court the entire time he’s out there.

#6 – Kanon Catchings – 6’9″ – FR – Forward – (Overtime Elite) – 7ppg, 2rpg.

• Has been OUT since March 1 with a knee injury. Questionable vs Houston;
• Tall/lean/athletic forward;
• Big-time recruit. Committed to Purdue, then backed out at the last second to sign with BYU;
• Really good three-point shooter: 43/121 (36%);
• Super athletic;
• Hall of Famer Tamika Catching’s nephew;

Keys to Victory

1. Defend the corners. BYU wants to get a foot in the paint to draw the defense and kick to open threes in the corner. It will be critical for the Coogs to ensure they aren’t shooting wide-open corner threes.
2. Keep them off the offensive glass. The Coogs will need to keep Keita and Traore off the offensive glass. They are both strong and have a knack for offensive rebounding. No extra scoring opportunities!
3. Make it a rock fight. BYU wants the score to be in the 80s-90s. The Coogs must keep them in the low 70s (BYU has scored 68 and 55 in two meetings). They have a ton of offensive firepower, and Houston will need to slow down whoever gets hot.
4. Take great shots on offense. If BYU plays their pack line M2M defense, they will look to keep the ball out of the paint. It will be important for Houston not to settle for mediocre shots.
5. Adjust on defense. BYU has good enough length and guard play to make tough passes from the blitz. UH will need to adjust their defense if BYU is getting wide-open looks.