No. 24 BYU Seeks 10th Consecutive Win In Rivalry Against Utah State

PROVO, Utah – The last time Utah State defeated BYU in men’s basketball was ten years ago. It was BYU’s first game as a member of the West Coast Conference back on November 11, 2011, in the Spectrum.

Since that game, there have been some great games involving BYU/Utah State, including the past two seasons under BYU coach Mark Pope, but it’s always been the guys from Provo finding a way to come out on top.

No. 24 BYU (7-1) looks for their 10th consecutive win in the rivalry against Utah State (6-2) that has produced 235 games all-time between the in-state foes.

This will be the first meeting in this historic series that involves new Aggies head coach Ryan Odom. Odom came to Logan after a successful run at UMBC that included his 16-seed Retrievers knocking off the Virginia Cavaliers in 2018.

Ryan is the son of former Wake Forest coach Dave Odom, a program Mark Pope spent time coaching at during his career.

“When I was at Wake Forest after Dave had retired, I got to know (Ryan) really well. I have so much respect for that family tree,” Pope said. “I think he’s a big-time coach. Utah State has performed better than anybody possibly could have expected. That’s a credit to him.”

No. 24 BYU vs. Utah State

Tip: 7 p.m.

Date: December 8, 2021

Location: Marriott Center (Provo)

TV: BYUtv

Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM – Pregame begins at 6 p.m.)

Series: BYU leads 143-92 (236th meeting)

Retooled identity for BYU

With center Gavin Baxter out for the season and Richard Harward not returning soon, BYU is back to a small lineup. A similar look Mark Pope had his first season at BYU.

Being a smaller team poses some challenges, especially on the glass. BYU will go up against one of the nation’s top rebounders in Utah State’s Justin Bean. Bean is third in the country in rebounds with 12.5 per game.

#BYU star Alex Barcello gave some shoutouts to Hunter Erickson, Traore, and Atiki for their play in helping fill the void after injuries to Harward and Baxter.#BYUHoops @kslsports pic.twitter.com/qNJpm1vhgS

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 7, 2021

“A week ago, I would have said, ‘Bring it.” Now, I’m like, ‘We’re probably not going to get any rebounds. We have to win a different way now.’ That’s just where we are as a team. [Bean]’s an unbelievable player, he’s a great rebounder. He punishes people. It’s going to be a massive challenge for us,” said Pope.

BYU players such as Fousseyni Traore, Caleb Lohner, and Gideon George (back from an illness), will have to carry the load on the glass to try and contain Bean. Off the bench, Atiki Ally Atiki is coming along as he develops. The same can be said for guard Hunter Erickson, who received increased minutes after a year-and-a-half of seldomly playing.

Guess who has YET another double-double?

⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/BWpXQKUmAM

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 30, 2021

The retooled lineup and identity for BYU will pose a unique set of challenges. This will be the toughest test to date against a season Aggies frontcourt with Bean and 6-foot-10 UMBC grad transfer Brandon Horvath alongside him in the post.

How BYU/Utah State Stack Up

Scoring Offense: BYU – 76.0; Utah State – 78.8

Scoring Defense: BYU – 62.1; Utah State – 67.1

Field Goal Percentage: BYU – 45.2%; Utah State: 47.9%

FG Percentage Defense: BYU – 38.4%; Utah State – 40.6%

Three-Point FG Percentage: BYU – 29.4%; Utah State – 36.3%

Three-Point FG Percentage Defense: BYU – 23.4%; Utah State – 32.5%

Rebounds: BYU – 42.3; Utah State – 38.1

Assists: BYU – 14.6; Utah State – 19.4

Turnovers: BYU – 10.6; Utah State – 12.8

Probable Starters

BYU (7-1)

G – Alex Barcello, 6-2, 192, Sr.

G – Te’Jon Lucas, 6-1, 187, Sr.

F – Gideon George, 6-6, 210, Sr.

F – Seneca Knight, 6-6, 224, Jr.

F – Caleb Lohner, 6-8, 235, Soph.

Utah State (6-2)

G – Rylan Jones, 6-0, 178, Jr.

G – RJ Eytle-Rock, 6-4, 225, Sr.

G – Brock Miller, 6-5, 200, Sr.

F – Justin Bean, 6-7, 210, Sr.

F – Brandon Horvath, 6-10, 210, Sr.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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