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| Deseret News |
In one game, BYU basketball blew out San Diego by 58 points shooting 57 percent. Then against Gonzaga, they shot only 33 percent overall. The 2016 BYU basketball team suffers from what could be considered multiple personalities, kind of like Jekyll and Hyde.
BYU basketball has struggled to stay consistent throughout the 2015-16 season. If the Cougars are to win the WCC Championship and make it to the Big Dance, they need to find a way to hold onto their consistent offensive firepower throughout tournament play.
At times, they look like an offensive juggernaut but then in easily winnable or crucial games, they struggle to find their already existent offensive firepower. The latest examples of this are the games stated above. The Cougars absolutely demolished San Diego by 58 points but then struggled against Gonzaga shooting only 33 percent as a team. However, it is encouraging that the Cougars can hang with a team like Gonzaga while shooting so poorly.
At times, they look like an offensive juggernaut but then in easily winnable or crucial games, they struggle to find their already existent offensive firepower. The latest examples of this are the games stated above. The Cougars absolutely demolished San Diego by 58 points but then struggled against Gonzaga shooting only 33 percent as a team. However, it is encouraging that the Cougars can hang with a team like Gonzaga while shooting so poorly.
BYU beat projected NCAA tournament team, Belmont, 91-85 shooting 45 percent overall and an impressive 48 percent from three point land. They essentially shot lights out. But then came their game against the Utah Utes when they barely scored just 28 points in the first half. The Cougars defense also gave up 51 points in that first half.
When the Cougars beat LMU on the Lion's home floor, they shot an amazing 49 percent as a team. They then turned around and shot only 36 percent against Pepperdine in a game they lost 71-65. Against LMU they put up 91 points and then against Pepperdine, they put up only 65 points.
There are many other examples of the Cougars struggles but I am sure you get my point by now. Don't get me wrong, I believe BYU basketball has a very good team this year. When they have played at their best in a consistent manner, they are almost unstoppable. Sure, their defense could be improved but it did get better as the season went on. However, if the Hyde in BYU comes out during tournament play, the Cougars could be doomed to early exit from the WCC Tournament and a trip to the NIT.
Let's just hope the Cougars' will to survive and tenacity will take over and carry them throughout the tournament.
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