Provo • With one last game left in the regular season, BYU basketball has the chance to make a couple of things happen: boost their NCAA Tournament resume and the chance to complete a sweep of Saint Mary’s, which has only happened once before (in 2014).
In terms of what the Cougars hope to accomplish this season, the former is more important at the moment.
BYU coach Mark Pope is also well aware of the ramifications this game could have for the postseason.
“I don’t think it’s going to have significant implications on conference standings, I think that may be relatively squared up by [Friday], but it’s an important game for us in terms of us continuing our momentum, us getting better, us trying to grow our position for the NCAA Tournament possibility,” Pope said after Thursday’s victory over San Francisco. “So, it’s a huge game. And it’s really important for us to honor our seniors.”
The Gaels have always been a top contender in the West Coast Conference, but they have stumbled this season.
After a pair of postponements, the Gaels opened up league play on three consecutive losses to Santa Clara, BYU and Gonzaga. (If there’s any doubt as to how the Broncos beat Saint Mary’s, Santa Clara earned the respect of many Thursday night, when the Broncos gave the Zags a hard time and even lead by as many as 10 points a couple of times in the first half.)
Then, after Saint Mary’s bounced back with a pair of wins, the next six games on the schedule were postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Gaels’ program and within other WCC teams.
Saint Mary’s, 13-7 overall, is now 4-5 in league play coming into Provo and currently third in the KenPom adjusted WCC standings. The Gaels haven’t been on any NCAA Tournament projections this season, but a win at BYU could possibly — just maybe — put them on the bubble. Of course, that is also dependent on how other teams across the nation perform this weekend.
The Cougars are listed as a No. 7 seed in Region 2 in Joe Lunardi’s bracket projections, updated Friday. (Utah State is considered “in the bubble” at the moment.”
BYU VS. SAINT MARY’S
At the Marriott Center
When • Saturday, 8 p.m.
TV • ESPNU
With nothing to lose, Saint Mary’s could really give BYU some trouble on Saturday. But that’s nothing new.
The Gaels and Cougars have a history of playing tough games, often times decided by five points or less. BYU is expecting the same Saturday.
“They’re going to go hard, and they’re going to push and shove and scratch and claw and just bully and beat us up,” Pose said. “We know what we’re in for. It’s going to be a heck of a game.”
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