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Mark Pope has had per week to organize for Saint Mary’s buzz noticed on Saturday in Moraga.
Can he pull it off?
His Cougars (19-8) will try a sweep of Randy Bennett’s 20-6 Gaels, who have been ranked No. 22 final week.
Can this BYU crew, recent off two straight wins on the highway, collect the arrogance to beat what's historically among the finest applications within the West Coast Convention?
If he does, will probably be certainly one of Pope’s greatest wins ever.
Earlier than the final two wins, driving a four-game dropping streak, his crew had been one step forward of a wooden chipper.
The system has been the identical. Get a small to medium lead, lose it, fall behind huge time, then make a run that principally finally ends up brief.
The BYU chore acquired harder now that freshman sensation Fousseyni Traore is struggling with a nagging groin damage.
Earlier than the damage, Traore was one of many shiny spots this season for the Cougars. Contemporary out of highschool, his exceptional wingspan, anticipation on rebounds and blocked pictures, and his power in taking part in the middle place at 6-foot-6 was wonderful.
Traore was Pope’s reply to the 5 spot after Richard Harward and Gavin Baxter suffered season-ending well being points.
Traore ranks No. 3 within the WCC in rebounding (8.3) behind San Francisco’s Yauhen Massalski (9.7) and Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren (9.6), who could be the No. 1 decide within the NBA draft.
“Fouss is a giant a part of this crew, for positive,” mentioned teammate Seneca Knight. “Fouss is an incredible rebounder. He’s an incredible finisher within the put up. We’re going to need to undergo different gamers and discover different alternatives to nonetheless be productive and get the job accomplished. We are able to’t wait to have Fouss again, for positive.”
Pope received with Traore.
Now, he’s out with a muscle scenario. Final summer season Traore had a sore hamstring that stored him out virtually a month in summer season exercises.
Caleb Lohner, come on down.
Pope will now rely upon a giant dose of the 6-8 sophomore. He’s a giant, robust workhorse who has struggled offensively this yr. However he’s by no means given up, he’s adjusted to totally different roles, began and never began. The employees may also dabble in taking part in 6-9 freshman Atiki Ally Aki.
Knight will now must play extra of the facility ahead spot vacated by Lohner.
“I assumed Caleb was off-the-charts defensively along with his assignments. He made large performs on closeouts at LMU,” mentioned Pope. “Performs like that we have been sorely lacking over the weekend. He was actually particular. His decision-making was elite degree on the offensive finish additionally. He's such a large, essential piece of this crew. He has led the cost in a ton of our wins.”
There’s no higher time for Lohner to step up and shine than proper now. He’s struggled with consistency this season and little doubt his confidence took a success.
However the runway is obvious, the chance door huge open. And he’s wanted by his teammates to play huge.
In a win over Pepperdine, Lohner hit 6 of seven pictures from the sphere and was 2 of two from 3-point land. He additionally had 4 rebounds.
With out Traore within the lineup, Lohner might want to rating greater than 14 factors. He’ll must get 8 to 10 rebounds and keep out of foul hassle.
The unhealthy information is BYU, Pope and Lohner are usually not going up towards the 2 worst groups within the WCC, LMU, and Pepperdine — video games that allowed them to get again on the successful monitor.
BYU faces the No. 2 crew within the league. The Gaels picked up a giant win towards San Francisco Thursday night time to enhance to 9-3 in WCC play. BYU is in the course of the league standings at 7-5 after that snapping that four-game dropping streak.
“Profitable brings spirit and life again to the crew,” Lohner informed reporters this week. “It’s actually powerful to lose.”
Can somewhat confidence make the distinction for Pope and firm at Saint Mary’s?
It can take that and a complete lot extra.
“We now have to enter this sport and simply struggle like we do,” mentioned Lohner. “With all of the noise we've got on the market we have to push that out of our minds and play for one another.
“That is an unimaginable alternative for us and we're excited to play this sport.”