BYU Student Section Among Observations From Win Against Utah State

PROVO, Utah – The No.24 BYU basketball team continued their winning ways against Utah State with a 82-71 win in the Marriott Center.

The Cougars controlled this game from the opening tip leading for over 38 minutes of play.

Here are my observations from the 10th consecutive win in rivalry for BYU basketball.

1. Three point shooting percentage

Coming into the rivalry game, the BYU was ranked 297th in three point shooting percentage in the country.

Alex Barcello has been one of the best shooters in the country during his three years at BYU, but he can’t be the only consistent shooter for this team if they want to make a tournament run.

Enter Trevin Knell. His role has increased since the Gavin Baxter injury, and he stepped up in a major way against Utah State.

Coming into this game against USU, Alex Barcello said he wasn't worried about the previous shooting woes from this #BYU team.

He felt they were taking good shots, they just weren't falling for them.

So far, so good from three tonight. Hovering around 50% from deep.#BYUhoops

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 9, 2021

He poured in 13 points making three of four shots from downtown.

BYU as a team made 46 percent from deep. B

With a lack of size at the center position, this team needs to shoot the ball like they did against the Aggies to beat good teams.

2. BYU basketball student section was wild

The ROC has been a force of nature all season long.

I can’t remember a more energized student section at BYU.

The @byuROC has made a big difference in the second half.

Utah State is struggling to make a free throw here in the second half.

They are 0-5 when shooting into the madness that is the #BYU student section. #BYUhoops @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) December 9, 2021

In the second half, Utah State missed their first six free throws while shooting towards the ROC.

BYU will continue to have a sizable home court advantage behind one of the country’s best student sections.

3. Hunter Erickson back door pass

Hunter Erickson is another BYU player who has seen an increased role due to injuries.

In the second half he had a sweet back door pass to Alex Barcello on a baseline cut that sent Barcello to the free throw line.

Head coach Mark Pope was quick to applaud Erickson for an outstanding pass.

Erickson has shown in limited minutes that he can be a third ball handler behind Barcello and Te’Jon Lucas.

Hunter Erickson has played in 22 minutes over the past two games, the same amount he played as a true freshman in 2020-21.#BYUHoops @BYUMBB

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) December 9, 2021

It’s never a bad thing to have more playmaking on the floor, and so far, Erickson has shown that ability.

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.