Actual GU vs BYU thread.

Saw the other thread and read it but didn't really seem to be about GU vs BYU so what say we try a new one?



Good news for you rumor has it the flu bug has hit the Zags.



Pivotal game for both teams. If GU wants to stay in the hunt they must win and then there's the 3 losses in a row at home scenario that I'm sure none of you in your wildest dreams considered possible when the conference season began.



BYU is still playing for a championship along with SMC and the Zags so this game will be intense.



Unfortunately after the escapade last Saturday the Zebras will be extra sucky. Our mighty omnipotent head of officials Dave Libby now has his underlings studying film for tendencies so instead of actually seeing an infraction they now just have to think one occurred to call it. For us it's more fouls on Big Rob and more traveling on E. Hard to say how they will screw BYU but they will, they always do. Please lets talk ball and the game here, match-ups etc... and leave the officiating for the other Gonzaga thread.



Guard play will decide this game if you hit from the outside I don't like our chances if we hit from the outside I don't like your chances if we are both hitting it will be an offensive slug-fest decided in the paint.



Rebounding will be key along with both teams being able to limit second chance points. I don't think the altitude will bother us. Our teams seem evenly matched so it should be one heck of a game.



Go!! Zags!!!

I generally agree with you, both teams have a young back court, and the backcourt that has the better game wins. I think Goganzola plays zone, picks the paint, and makes our guys shoot the 3, for most of our points lately come from inside, even with our guards.



I can also see the officials calling a bad game in favor of the Cougars, the WCC doesn't want Saturday to happen again, and this will be rewarding bad behavior, but it's the best guaranty of not bad behavior



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I think this is the game for BYU to play pressure man defense-which means starting Winder over Zylstra.

This game isn't about Gonzaga. It's about BYU. If BYU can't shoot and continues to shoot like they have the last two and a half weeks, they won't win. It doesn't matter how well or poorly Gonzaga plays.



BYU has shown that they can even lose to teams that play poorly (St. Mary's had 24 turnovers and gave up 17 offensive rebounds). If BYU doesn't start making shots, they can lose to Santa Clara (currently 0-8) at their current level of play. Gonzaga is irrelevant to Thursday's game.



BYU must makes shots, or the opponent doesn't really matter.

SpiffCoug wrote:
This game isn't about Gonzaga. It's about BYU. If BYU can't shoot and continues to shoot like they have the last two and a half weeks, they won't win. It doesn't matter how well or poorly Gonzaga plays.



BYU has shown that they can even lose to teams that play poorly (St. Mary's had 24 turnovers and gave up 17 offensive rebounds). If BYU doesn't start making shots, they can lose to Santa Clara (currently 0-8) at their current level of play. Gonzaga is irrelevant to Thursday's game.



BYU must makes shots, or the opponent doesn't really matter.

St. Mary's had too many turnovers, but I don't think that we can say that they played "poorly" - but I do agree with what you've said



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I think BYU and GU match up better than BYU and SMC.



For BYU, this will once again come down to tempo, perimeter defense, and outside shooting. We need to come out strong.



Personally, I hope rather than settling for post up shots or 3-pointers Carlino and Winder put the ball on the floor and make something happen. It was nice to see Carlino take it to the rack and before Sat. it had been a long time since BYU had really done so.



Noah and Davies will get their points in the paint. Our guards need to get theirs and if the 3 isn't falling (odds are it won't be) then our guards need to find other ways to contribute. I want to see more balanced offense on our end, which will keep GU honest on defense.



Abouo could be the X factor in this game. Time for the Senior to start playing like it's his last season.

I don't think BYU will struggle too much with Gonzaga. Sure, we'll get off to a slow start, but the game wont really be in question. Why? Simply because we significantly stronger than them with our big men, and our guard play is about even.



The reason we have struggled against SMC is because their guard play is so far and above better than ours that they can not only take our guards completely out of the picture, they can also hassle our bigs and get them out of rhythm too. GU wont have that luxury.



BYU wins by 12.

The last 4 games our bigs have been shouldering the load but with increasing difficulting as both Harstock and Davies are drawing double teams while our perimeter guys continue to launch bricks. Teams have no respect for our outside shooting and will continue to focus their attention on our front court.



Two things that can work in our favor as shown in the second half.



1. Carlino slashing to the middle resulted in most of his 15 points. That is a nice change of pace that causes the defense to draw towards his zone of penetration and allow him to dish out assists. Abouo may need to do the same as well. Once we start hitting layups or short shots from the inside we will start to have wide open 3 pointers available.



2. Applying a full court press and truly pressuring every entry pass or dribble drive. Our team seemed to respond with energy the more they got involved in pressuring the guards and wings. This was where the turnovers began to increase with SMU - 25 (and they have good guards). I believe that if we utilize this pressure approach again, Winder, Abouo, Carlino and Harrison should see some significant playing time, and we will have a more athletic team on the court. They will also be more prone to run and get out on the break and play an up tempo game which Rose favors.



I believe that we have recently faced the 3 best 3-point defending teams in LMU, VT and SMU. I don't believe that the Zags have that caliber of defense, so we should have a little more space to get off the shot.

Additional thoughts on what defensive strategy GU will try and implement the next game (as divluged by SMU's center Waldo regarding their game plan).



Waldow said that,



"the Gaels fully recognized BYU’s post-dominant team and knew that a win could be found in stopping their high-scoring forwards Hartsock and Brandon Davies...We wanted to stop the inside scoring through Davies and Hartsock. If we stopped the inside scoring, we could make Carlino try and win the game for them, and that was our goal.”



I believe that GU will probably try and replicate SMU's defensive plan by trying to stop BYU in the paint. They will probably also try and continue to challenge the guards and wings as BYU presently has the one of lowest 3-point field goal percentages of the conference season.

Hey big, I think this game is pretty much a toss up. Like you said I think the guard play will be the biggest factor. I'm still not sure why we're still struggling to hit the 3 ball. Even in our 3 conference losses we've had quite a few open looks. But I guess at times it just happens when you've got a lot of inexperienced guys. Doesn't help that Rogers is yet to come back fully from his injury. And I still feel like Dave Rose is still playing around with our rotations which isn't a good sign this deep into conference play. If I had any guess on the outcome of this game I will bet both teams will have a mediocre night from 3,(not great, but not horrible as buy has been from late), and the game will be about whose front court wants it more. I also just have a gut feeling this is one of those game where Davies sits on the bench for most because of foul trouble, also could say the same for Abouoo. I'm calling it Zags by 7. (after some late free throw makes to put the game out of reach).



P.s. I now see how you guys have a pretty descent rivalry going with them Gaels. But needless to say they're a very tough and physical team. Also very well coached in my opinion.



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Just returned from the Cougar Club luncheon here in Salt Lake. Coach Rose was the guest speaker. Mentioned that they were probably going to mix up the starting set for this game to "get the pressure off the younger guys", but wouldn't elaborate.



The only "young" starter is Carlino, but then in another question he was talking about continuing to develop Matt.



I'm sorry, but starting Cusik to me is not that much better of an option, but it seemed certain that someone who has been starting, will not being doing so on Thursday.



My question was whether or not scholarships were year-to-year, or if his philosiphy was to give a young man a scholarship throughout. He said technically with the NCAA rules, scholarships have to be renewed annually with a player. He said though, culturally, unless there are grade or off-the-court issues, the tradition is to continue the scholarship for the duration of the player's career.

EM_Puma wrote:
Just returned from the Cougar Club luncheon here in Salt Lake. Coach Rose was the guest speaker. Mentioned that they were probably going to mix up the starting set for this game to "get the pressure off the younger guys", but wouldn't elaborate.



The only "young" starter is Carlino, but then in another question he was talking about continuing to develop Matt.



I'm sorry, but starting Cusik to me is not that much better of an option, but it seemed certain that someone who has been starting, will not being doing so on Thursday.



My question was whether or not scholarships were year-to-year, or if his philosiphy was to give a young man a scholarship throughout. He said technically with the NCAA rules, scholarships have to be renewed annually with a player. He said though, culturally, unless there are grade or off-the-court issues, the tradition is to continue the scholarship for the duration of the player's career.

Interesting. Wonder if it means by relieving pressure he plans to start the younger guys so they become more accustomed to pressure. I certainly hope so. Starting Cusick is a step backwards.



Who with more experience does he have? This Zylstra's first season getting significant minutes. It's Cusick's too. Rogers has more experience than both, but a bum knee that needs rest. Rose doesn't have anyone with more experience.



Want to mix things up, Rose? Bench Zylstra and Cusick.



As for scholarships, I hope Nick does an Anderson and gives his up because it doesn't sound like Rose is going to yank it.

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Winder will start question is for who?

Well i hope we can get to the tourney and maybe steal a win. The guard pay is too weak and the half court offense is way too rigid. There has to be a dribble penetration option at some point out there coach. Everyone is afraid to take it in because the O has to run through the post. Gotta diversify!

mizzoucoug wrote:
Well i hope we can get to the tourney and maybe steal a win. The guard pay is too weak and the half court offense is way too rigid. There has to be a dribble penetration option at some point out there coach. Everyone is afraid to take it in because the O has to run through the post. Gotta diversify!

Sounds like we should be paying our guards the same as our big men!!

Is it below the Federal Minimum pay? We could get into trouble.

LOL, notice the time of post. I claim no ability to function after midnight or before 8 am.

Who are we suppose to poke fun at since Airwolf left?

scott715 wrote:
Who are we suppose to poke fun at since Airwolf left?

http://www.cougarcorner.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=5497" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mars wrote:

Who are we suppose to poke fun at since Airwolf left?

http://www.cougarcorner.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=5497" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Subtle, yet hilarious :)



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