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Making the transition to BYU hasn’t all the time been clean for Seneca Knight, however the 6-foot-6 junior ahead is making a serious impression.
Knight got here off the bench to attain a season-high 14 factors in every of the Cougars’ house victories this week over San Diego and Portland.
In BYU’s 78-65 overcome the Pilots Saturday evening, he hit two consecutive 3-pointers within the ultimate minute of the half to provide the Cougars a five-point lead at intermission.
Knight scored 14 factors in simply 18 minutes of play and he additionally added three rebounds and an help. In the meantime, a few of his greatest contributions are on the defensive finish.
“Seneca had a fantastic offensive evening, making pictures. He had a fantastic playmaking evening (Thursday),” stated coach Mark Pope. “There’s 12 minutes left and he picks up one other foul. I believed I wanted to take him out of the sport. He’s attending to a spot the place I would like him within the meat of the sport. I would like to have the ability to have him. It’s as a result of his defensive numbers are off the charts for us.”
Knight, a switch from San Jose State and Louisiana State, has needed to make an adjustment from taking part in guard in his earlier stops to taking part in ahead for the Cougars. Knight averaged 17.1 factors and 5.7 rebounds in 2019-20 at SJSU.
Greater than something, he’s simply trying to assist the Cougars (17-4, 5-1) win video games.
“Simply attempting to fill voids,” Knight stated. “Whether or not it’s scoring, defending, rebounding, no matter I can do to assist this staff win, I’m prepared to do it.”
Guard Alex Barcello is glad that Knight is settling into his function.
“He simply continues to battle and battle. You understand he desires it. That’s why he’s so enjoyable to play with. These guys belief him,” he stated. “He had the sport he had (Thursday) as a result of he’s purchased in that not daily goes to be excellent, not daily goes to be nice. However there’s going to be a breakout the place he’s going to see some mild after which he can hold capitalizing on that. I believed he did actually nice, seeing him have enjoyable.”
Pope acknowledges that there was “tough patches” with Knight this season.
“It’s saying, ‘It’s going to work, it’s going to suit. It’s an adjustment interval.’ Not only for Sen however for me additionally, studying one another,” Pope stated. “He’s been so constant defensively that when guys play that approach, you'll be able to go away them on the market. We all know his offensive talent set is exclusive to us.”
In the meantime, one other BYU reserve that has been essential to this staff is guard Spencer Johnson, who persistently offers the Cougars a carry off the bench — particularly on the defensive finish.
“I ponder why I ever take him out of the sport, actually. He's so impactful on the courtroom. He’s not placing up spectacular numbers however he’s taking good care of the ball, he’s a great ball-mover proper now, and he’ll bang 3s when he must,” Pope stated.
“He’s actually good downhill. His work defensively is such a present to our staff. He simply goes on the market and disrupts every thing. He’s terrific. Each single recreation, I really feel like he’s the unsung hero. He’s doing an unbelievable job for us.”
Pope likes having the ability to depend on Knight and Johnson to offer a spark for his staff.
“These guys coming off the bench and taking a stand is so vital on our staff,” he stated. “They alter us defensively. They did for certain (Saturday). Sen was superior.”
This week, BYU, which sits in sole possession of second place within the West Coast Convention, goes again on the street to face Santa Clara Thursday and Pacific Saturday.