BYU head coach Mark Pope calls out from the bench throughout recreation in opposition to the South Dakota Coyotes at Vivint Area in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. The 2022-23 season has been a wrestle for the Cougars and received’t get any simpler Saturday once they face No. 21 Creighton in Las Vegas. Spenser Heaps, Deseret Information
Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner guards Nebraska’s Wilhelm Breidenbach throughout recreation Dec. 4, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. Kalkbrenner is averaging a team-high 15.9 factors per recreation and is taking pictures 76.3% from the ground. Rebecca S. Gratz, Related Press
LAS VEGAS — There’s no method to sugarcoat the place BYU basketball is in proper now.
The Cougars, ranked No. 99 within the newest Kenpom.com scores, have dropped two consecutive video games. They misplaced at a impartial web site to No. 246 South Dakota per week in the past after which, final Wednesday, suffered a 15-point setback at dwelling to No. 124 Utah Valley.
BYU is hoping to show issues round Saturday (8 p.m., MST, FS1) in opposition to Creighton, which is ranked No. 21 on this week’s Related Press ballot.
The Cougars and Bluejays meet within the Jack Jones Hoopfest at Michelob ULTRA Area. Creighton beat BYU final season, 83-71.
In the meantime, the Cougars’ troubles have piled up this season.
For starters, guard Spencer Johnson is out with a knee damage. One other skilled guard, Trevin Knell, has been sidelined after present process shoulder surgical procedure over the summer season.
On the courtroom, the Cougars are committing too many turnovers and permitting opponents to shoot over 50% from 3-point vary.
“Our guys are actually making an attempt,” Pope stated after the humbling 75-60 loss to UVU. “We’re simply not superb proper now. We’re going to turn out to be a superb staff. We’re simply not an excellent staff proper now.”
Going into the UVU recreation, Pope switched up the beginning lineup with freshman Dallin Corridor changing senior Rudi Williams.
However the final consequence was one other vexing loss.
“Clearly, we’re looking proper now,” Pope stated. “We’ve obtained to maintain combating and battling and are available out on the opposite finish and see what we will turn out to be.”
It’s not going to be simple for the Cougars to finish their dropping streak in opposition to Creighton.
Only a couple weeks in the past, the Bluejays (6-3) had been ranked No. 7 within the nation. Since then, they’ve dropped three consecutive video games in opposition to No. 14 Arizona, No. 2 Texas and Nebraska.
Previous to that, Creighton beat No. 21 Texas Tech and No. 9 Arkansas on the Maui Invitational on its method to a 6-0 begin.
Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner guards Nebraska’s Wilhelm Breidenbach throughout recreation Dec. 4, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. Kalkbrenner is averaging a team-high 15.9 factors per recreation and is taking pictures 76.3% from the ground.
Rebecca S. Gratz, Related Press
The Bluejays are led by sophomore guard Ryan Nembhard, who's averaging 12.4 factors and 5.6 assists per recreation, and 7-foot-1 Ryan Kalkbrenner, who's averaging a team-high 15.9 factors per recreation and is taking pictures 76.3% from the ground.
Even earlier than the season began, Pope stated this season can be an journey. And he’s been proper.
However he’s assured that his gamers will determine issues out.
“I actually just like the upside of this group,” Pope stated. “The blokes’ hearts and souls are in it. That’s one factor we've got going for us.”
Cougars on the air
BYU (5-5)
vs. No. 21 Creighton (6-3)
Saturday, 8 p.m. MST
Michelob Extremely Area
TV: FS1
Radio: BYU Radio/1160 AM