For many of the Large 12 basketball season, Iowa State has handled one damage after one other, whereas BYU has been comparatively wholesome and at full energy.
However that would change Tuesday night time (7 p.m. MST, ESPN2) when the No. 10 Cyclones host the No. 23 Cougars in one of the vital contests of the 12 months, so far as seeding for the convention match is worried.
In his weekly press briefing on Monday, BYU coach Kevin Younger stated that 6-foot-9 freshman Kanon Catchings may miss the showdown between groups tied for fourth place within the Large 12 standings after he sustained a left knee damage whereas contesting a dunk halfway by way of the primary half of BYU’s 77-56 win over West Virginia.
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“It wasn’t as unhealthy because it seemed, which is nice,” Younger stated. “He’s sort of daily, and that’s how we’re approaching it.”
Cougars on the air
No. 23 BYU (21-8, 12-6) at No. 10 Iowa State (22-7, 12-6)
- Tuesday, 7 p.m. MST
- Ames, Iowa
- TV: ESPN2
- Radio: 107.9 FM/BYURadio.org/BYU Radio app
Though BYU (21-8, 12-6) is as deep as any crew within the league, Catchings’ absence may damage as a result of he’s averaging 7.6 factors and a couple of.3 rebounds a recreation and had huge video games in two of BYU’s most spectacular wins. The Indiana native had 23 factors in BYU’s additional time win over Baylor and 14 factors in BYU’s 96-95 upset of No. 19 Arizona.
For the second-straight 12 months, the BYU-Iowa State conflict will function two ranked groups — and have heavy implications for the postseason. The 4 high seeds earn two byes within the convention match and don’t should play till the quarterfinals subsequent Thursday in Kansas Metropolis.
Younger stated his crew and training employees are conscious of the big-picture significance of the matchup, noting that assistant coach Chris Burgess stays “fairly dialed in with that stuff” and passes it alongside, however reiterated that the Cougars typically do higher after they take it day-to-day.
“Some groups are higher after they simply give attention to what is correct in entrance of them. That appears to be the case with this group. So that’s kinda how we deal with the gamers,” Younger stated. “Because it pertains to the employees, I’m fairly singular centered. However I attempt to have an understanding of what’s going on huge image as properly.”
No matter what occurs Tuesday night time, or Saturday when BYU hosts Utah on Senior Evening, BYU can do no worse than a No. 5 seed at T-Cellular Middle. That’s an overachievement, contemplating BYU has a brand new coach, was picked to complete ninth within the league, and misplaced 4 of its first six convention video games.
How has it come collectively so shortly for the Cougars?
“I believe there’s a lot that goes into that. If I needed to slim it all the way down to a few issues I simply suppose perception, execution, togetherness,” Younger stated. “That’s the place we now have been in a position to transfer the needle.
“I believe endurance, as I’ve realized function on this area (has additionally been vital). … So all that stuff has been the recipe, I’d say, to why we’re the place we’re proper now.”
That is essentially the most vital and difficult recreation of the Kevin Younger period, as Iowa State is 15-1 at 14,356-seat Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, and enjoys the most effective home-court benefits in all of school basketball.
Final 12 months, in entrance of 14,267, BYU jumped out to a 38-27 halftime lead however was outscored 41-25 within the second half and wilted to ISU’s pressure defense late to give away a game it probably should have won.
BYU completed with 17 turnovers within the 68-63 loss, together with a late blunder by level guard Dallin Corridor, whereas ISU had solely six giveaways.
“That’s the most effective atmospheres I’ve performed in,” Corridor stated Saturday after scoring eight points and notching six assists in opposition to West Virginia.
Iowa State coach TJ Otzelberger additionally met with reporters Monday, and stated the Cougars’ maturity and measurement within the again courtroom, with 6-9 freshman Egor Demin operating the purpose, together with Corridor, units them aside.
“Primary, Demin with the basketball … as a playmaker, facilitator, that’s a novel endeavor, for positive,” he stated, then famous that reigning two-time Large 12 Participant of the Week Richie Saunders and graduate Trevin Knell are two of the highest 3-point shooters within the league.
“I believe that’s one factor with them that it’s a must to issue into the equation, is how properly they shoot the basketball,” Otzelberger stated. “They’ve obtained older guys. They’ve obtained skilled, veteran guys that know discover methods to win. You don’t win six in a row on this league with out having that kind of expertise.
“Saunders is taking part in at about as excessive a degree as anyone is within the convention proper now by way of taking pictures the ball, making huge performs for them late, simply competing,” the coach continued.
Iowa State forces 15.2 turnovers per recreation, which ranks seventeenth nationally. The Cyclones use these turnovers to get out in transition and gasoline their offense. They common 80.2 factors per recreation, which is No. 42 within the nation.
BYU averages 81.0 factors, thirty second within the nation.
“I believe we now have to go in there with the mindset that it doesn’t matter what they do, we’re going to be beneath management offensively,” Younger stated. “… Their protection is completely different than West Virginia’s. However on the similar time, I’m huge on proof of ideas. We have now confirmed that we will (rating) in opposition to good defensive groups, significantly one whose M.O. is to show you over.”
Younger stated turnovers have been “a weak point of ours” earlier within the season, “however we’re beginning to use folks’s aggression in opposition to them. I believe that’s the final key to the sport.”
