Alex Barcello’s Shooting Among Observations From BYU’s Loss Against Santa Clara

PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team suffered their second conference loss of the season against Santa Clara when Jalen Williams made a shot with less than one second left.

It was the first time the Cougars played on the road against Santa Clara since 2018.

Here are my observations from a BYU loss that was up in the air until the final possession.

1. Alex Barcello on the perimeter

Defenses in the WCC greatly respect the threat of Alex Barcello in the way they defend him.

Multiple Santa Clara guards were glued to Barcello as soon as he passed the half-court line.

Barcello has now hit three or more 3-pointers in 26 games, the 7th most in program history.#BYUHoops @BYUMBB

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) January 28, 2022

Opponents try, but often fail when preventing Barcello from getting his shot off.

Barcello was outstanding from the Leavey Center scoring 20 points while making four shots from the three-point line.

It won’t be remembered as a memorable game for Barcello considering how BYU lost the game in the final moments, but he continues to impress with this ability to score.

2. Caleb Lohner rebounding

It’s been a disappointing offensive season for Lohner, there’s no denying it.

However, his value to the team goes beyond what he can do offensively.

It’s easy to forget how good Caleb Lohner is on the glass because of his offensive struggles, but my goodness he’s one of the best rebounders I’ve seen come through Provo. #BYU @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) January 28, 2022

There was a sequence late in the first half where Lohner crashed the offensive glass, sprinted the length of the court, and snatched a defensive rebound over Jaden Bediako of Santa Clara.

Lohner plays with such energy and passion that he makes up for the lack of consistent scoring.

He didn’t play much in the second half, but I think that was more a result of Gideon George and Fousseyni Traore playing well on both sides of the floor.

3. BYU basketball crashing the glass

Santa Clara had a decisive edge points scored in the paint in the first half out scoring BYU by 12.

However, that advantage was negated by great defensive rebounding in the second half by the Cougars.

Foul trouble made it difficult for head coach Mark Pope to find consistency throughout most of the game.

Santa Clara didn’t collect a single offensive rebound in the second half.

Unfortunately their effort on the glass will be forgotten due to costly mistakes in the final minute of the game.

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.