PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball went on the road and beat the No. 12 Oregon Ducks by 32 points in the Phil Knight invitational.

Alex Barcello was outstanding scoring 25 points to lead BYU in scoring.

Here are my three observations from a signature win in the Mark Pop

1. First half BYU defense

The BYU basketball team put on a clinic defensively in the first half only allowing the Oregon Ducks to score 19 points.

Oregon shot 19 percent from the field, 20 percent from the three point line, and only assisted on one made basket.

There isn’t a dominant defensive player on this team like Matt Haarms from last season, but they are playing great team defense.

What a first half for #BYU 🏀 defensively!

– Oregon shoots 19% from the field
– Only one Duck assist
– 2 second chance points
– 1 fast break point.

Phenomenal team defense and great team rim protection. @kslsports #BYUhoops

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) November 17, 2021

Holding teams to low shooting numbers is admirable, but limiting a team to only one assist in 20 minutes of basketball is phenomenal.

Passing lanes weren’t available and fast break opportunities were eliminated with good transition defense.

It’s still early, but this team has the makings to be a great defensive group.

2. Spencer Johnson making winning plays

Spencer Johnson might be the most underrated player on the team.

The guy just makes winning plays.

Cmon how fun is this!? These dudes came ready tonight @BYUMBB

— Tyler Haws (@tyhaws3) November 17, 2021

With 6 minutes and 10 seconds left in the second half Johnson nailed a three point shot to extend the lead to 24 points.

On the ensuing defensive play, Johnson stripped Eric Williams Jr on a drive to the basket initiating a fast break.

He found Gideon George on the other end with a behind the back pass resulting in a dunk.

That sequence was the nail in the coffin.

3. BYU basketball rebounding advantage

There was a moment against San Diego State where BYU needed a stop late. In the timeout, head coach Mark Pope told his guys they needed to rebound like their lives depended on it.

They did that all game long against the Ducks.

BYU out-rebounded Oregon by nine overall and by 11 on the defensive glass.

#byuhoops were 1-20 in their previous 21 games vs. ranked, non-conference opponents. Mark Pope does things different. By 32 over #12 Oregon? Ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/rQvAkxytfX

— Alex Kirry (@AlexKirryKSL) November 17, 2021

Seneca Knight and Fousseyni Traore led the team in total rebounds with six a piece off the bench.

There’s no doubt BYU basketball will be ranked after a win like this one. Only one question remains, how high can this team rise in the rankings before conference play?

You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter here.