Bubble Watch Says BYU A Lock For NCAA Tourney Following Win Over Waves
Mar 1, 2020, 3:54 PM | Updated: 3:57 pm
Courtesy of BYU Photo
PROVO, Utah – After defeating the Pepperdine Waves in their regular-season finale, ESPN’s NCAA Tournament Bubble Watch said the No. 17 BYU Cougars were a “lock” to make the tourney.
The Cougars defeated the Waves 81-64 at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu on Saturday, February 29.
Following the win, ESPN improved BYU’s odds to make the March Madness bracket from “should be in” to a “lock” for the field of 68.
The Cougars joined ESPN’s bubble watch list featuring Gonzaga, San Diego State, and Dayton as “locks” for the tournament from non-Power Five conferences.
Prior to taking down Pepperdine, NCAA.com’s Andy Katz had BYU has a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament bracket prediction.
🚨 BRACKET PREDICTION 🚨
Nearly two weeks away from #SelectionSunday, @TheAndyKatz has new predictions for the bracket! 👀
👉 https://t.co/o30ca85WLw pic.twitter.com/U0hQ3WVoEb
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 28, 2020
Yoeli Childs and BYU
BYU improved their current winning streak to nine games by beating Pepperdine to close out the second half of its West Coast Conference slate of games.
The Cougars own a record of 24-7 this season.
With senior forward Yoeli Childs in the lineup this season, BYU owns a 16-2 record.
Childs is leading the Cougars with averages of 22.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He is shooting 58.6 percent overall and 48.8 percent from three in 18 games played this season.
He scored a career-high 38 points in BYU’s win over the Waves.
Two words.
Yoeli. Childs.@BYUbasketball | @WCCHoops pic.twitter.com/MVBoIXzOi4— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) March 1, 2020
WCC Tournament
Childs and crew return to action in the semifinals of the WCC Tournament. The No. 2 seed Cougars will play the winner of the quarterfinals matchup between No. 3 Saint Mary’s Gaels and the team that advances out of the second round (No. 6 Pepperdine, No. 7 Santa Clara, or No. 10 Portland).
Brackets, Game Times Announced for 2020 WCC Basketball Tournament#BYUhoops #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/u4vfyB3zLq
— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) March 1, 2020
BYU plays in the semifinals on Monday, March 9 at 8:30 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on KSL NewsRadio 1160 AM or 102.7 FM. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
