In what may be shocking to some, I think that BYU has all the tools to knock off Gonzaga on Saturday. It is no secret the success that Gonzaga has had in recent years, not just in the WCC but on the national landscape. The WCC truthers always come out this time of year so it is important to note the Bulldogs’ success. The last five tournaments have resulted in two Elite Eight appearances, two Sweet Sixteen finishes, and a national championship loss to North Carolina in 2017. I’m a big fan of Gonzaga. I just think that BYU has a legit chance to snap their 39 game win streak in conference play.

BYU’s Explosive Offense

Although Gonzaga’s 88.6 points per game lead the country, the Cougars are not too far behind at 80 PPG. BYU also boasts the best three-point shooting team in the country, entering Thursday at 42.6%. On Feb. 13, the Cougars made a school-record 18 3-pointers in a 77-54 win over Loyola Marymount. Alex Barcello led the way for the Cougars, shooting 6-8 from deep. Going into Thursday, BYU has won six games in a row and will look to extend that against Santa Clara before Saturday’s big matchup.

That hot shooting is a big reason why BYU is ranked No. 23 in this week’s poll with a 21-7 (10-3) record. But the Cougars do much more than shoot. Their leading scorer Yoeli Childs is a force, averaging 20.7 PPG and 8.4 RPG, shooting 59.4% from the floor. Childs only attempts two shots from beyond the arc per game.

Solid defense

The Cougars enter play on Thursday allowing just 68.6 points per game. These numbers are solid despite playing in a conference that scores a ton of points every night. Childs leads the team with 1.1 blocks per game, while Jake Toolson and TJ Haws each average a steal or more. BYU’s defense is not necessarily its strong suit, but it is not a liability.

Throw the last meeting out the window

If you’re still reading at this point, I appreciate you. I also realize you are probably thinking, “Luke, but what about last game?”. Well, Gonzaga did win the last meeting between the schools 92-69 in January. As ugly as that score was, I say throw it out. For one, Gonzaga was at home. They also shot 74% from the field in the second half. This cannot be expected again. Furthermore, the Cougars only got to the line 10 times, while Gonzaga shot 19-25 from the charity stripe. The biggest reason why I say to throw out that game is that BYU did not have Childs, who was injured. His impact will be felt on Saturday night inside what should be an electric Marriott Center.

Final Thoughts

As the #analytics say, 3-pointers are worth more than 2-pointers. BYU should shoot better than the 30% they went in the last meeting. They also have a better inside presence with Childs being in the lineup. The Cougars are 12-1 at home this year. This BYU team has all the tools to knock off Gonzaga, so don’t be surprised if they do so.