alt=Jeff CallPROVO — Since squandering a 16-point lead and losing a heartbreaker in overtime at Utah, BYU has bounced back in impressive fashion.
Following back-to-back 33-point wins over UNLV and Nevada, the Cougars (8-4) have vaulted from No. 62 to No. 42 in the latest Kenpom.com rankings.
BYU’s four losses this season have been at the hands of teams that have posted a 30-6 record this season. That includes overtime road losses to Boise State (5-3) and Utah (7-2), The other two setbacks came against No. 2 Kansas (8-1) in the Maui Invitational and at home against No. 25 San Diego State (10-0).
“We’re sitting well right now. Obviously, the losses are very detrimental to us. We wanted to win those games,” said junior guard Alex Barcello. “I feel like there are certain games where we had tough losses that we bounced back well in.”
“It’s great to have Yoeli back and we’re trying to figure out the chemistry. It’s great to have such a key player on our team.” — BYU guard Alex Barcello
The Cougars’ eight wins have been logged against Cal State Fullerton (3-7), Southern Utah (5-4), Houston (5-2), UCLA (7-3), Virginia Tech (6-3), Montana Tech (4-5), UNLV (4-7) and Nevada (7-4).
BYU blasted Nevada Tuesday night at the Marriott Center, 75-42. The Cougars outscored the Runnin’ Rebels and Wolf Pack by a combined 158-92.
“It’s a huge win for us,” coach Mark Pope said of the victory over Nevada. “I’m really proud of our guys. We’re making good progress right now.”
BYU faces its third straight Mountain West Conference opponent and in-state rival, Utah State (10-1), Saturday in the Beehive Classic at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
The Cougars limited the Wolf Pack to 3 of 23 shooting from 3-point range and surrendered only 16 total field goals against a team that had been averaging 82 points per game.
“Our guys were really locked in, and they managed the defensive end really well the whole game minus a couple of transition opportunities,” Pope said. “We managed some frustration on the offensive end really well.”
The Cougars hit 12 of 37 3-point attempts, marking the fifth consecutive game with at least 10 3-pointers, a school record.
Another stat that Pope was happy with: BYU out-rebounded Nevada 49-37.
“Could you imagine if we become a team, which we are working so hard to do, that really rebounds the ball? Can you imagine?“ Pope said. “Then all of the sudden, it gives us a chance to win another different way. For the roster we have, that is a tall task. But it’s something we’re really committed to. We’re going to fight every day to keep growing in that category. Of course, I’m super pleased with the rebounding effort (Tuesday).”
The return of senior forward Yoeli Childs after a nine-game NCAA suspension has obviously been a boon to BYU. In three games, Childs is averaging 18.3 points and 11.3 rebounds.
“His transition has been great and his ceiling is still so much higher. He’s barely scratching the surface of what he needs to be for us to be a great team,” Pope said of Childs. “Scouts watching his offensive game from the first two games are shaking their heads, ‘This guy, what does he not do?’ He’s passing the ball so freely and at such a great clip and he’s making shots and he’s really efficient in the post and he’s dealing with double teams.”
With Childs in the starting lineup, senior forward Dalton Nixon has made significant contributions off the bench. He scored 10 points against Utah; had a career-high 17 points against UNLV, including 3 of 3 from 3-point range; and totaled six points and 10 rebounds against Nevada.
This season, the Cougars have dealt with adversity and produced a better-than-expected record without Childs in the lineup and are eager to continue to make improvements as a more complete team.
“It’s great to have Yoeli back and we’re trying to figure out the chemistry. It’s great to have such a key player on our team,” Barcello said. “One thing that sticks out to me about this team is, and I’ve been saying it since I got here, how hard these guys work. We’re striving for the same goal. That’s what’s going to carry us as the season goes on through the tough losses and handling that adversity and then bouncing back like we did against UNLV. We have a great group of senior leaders.”