As I see it, BYU is the best team the Coogs will have played this season. They are, by far, the best offensive team UH has faced. For this scout, I studied BYU’s last two games vs Iowa State and Texas Tech.

the daily #172 | 1/23/2024 | Archives

BYU Overview

They are similar to Penn but much more talented across the board. Like Penn, they have an outstanding passing big man in #50 Aly Khalifa. When he catches the ball at the top of the key, he is looking for a number of back-door cutters and guys coming off screens for the three. They cut often and hard. It will be imperative for UH to stay between their man and the ball, or BYU will be shooting lay-ups all night.

They love to run in transition and shoot an open three before the defense sets up. Communication will be key for the Coogs in this game. BYU’s guards do a great job getting downhill, making the defense over-help, and kicking out to open shooters. Every player that steps on the court is capable of scoring, and their bench guys often lead the team in scoring.

The Cougs are one of the more annoying teams that I’ve scouted. They tend to get under the skin of their opponents because they are constantly flopping when shooting the three on offense and when coming off of screens on defense. UH will have to play extremely smart on both ends and not give them an opportunity to flop their way into a foul call.

BYU has too many weapons to name a true “head of the snake.” They have several guys that can score in multiple ways. #30 Dallin Hall does a great job getting the ball where it needs to be and is a good outside shooter. EVERYONE who enters the game can be their leading scorer.

For the purpose of having a “head of the snake,” I’ll go with Aly Khalifa. He does so many good things for them. He is a great passer, can shoot the three at a high level, and can score in the high or low post. He doesn’t pass the eye test when walking on the court, but is very talented.

UH typically does a great job defending post players who play mostly from the top of the key. Houston’s length gives opposing post players issues and makes it difficult to make the passes they are used to. This will be a fascinating match-up!

BYU Offense

Best offensive team UH has played (ranked tenth nationally in scoring at 85.3 points per game, but UH is still #1 in scoring defense (51 ppg);
Best three-point shooting team UH has played by far. They’re second in the nation in three-point makes per game at 12.4;
Love to shoot the three in transition (#6 nationally in fast break points at 15.67 ppg)
Outstanding cutting team;
Great on the drive and kick;
Love running a play where they fake a hand-off from Khalifa, and the guard curls to the basket for a back-door pass;
BYU takes care of the ball (#3 in Assist/Turnover ratio at 1.91%);
Ranked #2 in the nation in assists at 20.7 apg;
They are ranked eighth in bench points at 33.89 ppg;

BYU Defense

Solid defensive team (ranked #34 nationally in scoring defense, giving up 64.8 points per game);
Primarily play halfcourt, man-to-man defense;
May try some 1-3-1 zone;
Great rebounding team (#12 nationally in defensive rebounds per game at 29.50);
They struggle with athletic guards that can drive; UH guards must attack the paint with a vengeance;
BYU falls down OFTEN on screens to make it appear they are being tripped, which attracts the refs attention (Mainly #30 Hall and #20 Johnson);