BYU Basketball Questions Answered In Win Against LMU

PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with a dominant performance in an 89-61 win against Loyola Marymount.

Let’s answer some questions from the Cougar’s most complete game played this season.

Who was the MVP for BYU Basketball?

Fousseyni Traore set the tone early on both ends of the floor.

He’s my choice for the most valuable player in the win against the Lions.

Fouss Traore with his first double double in WCC play.

Last time he had one was against Creighton back on 12/10/2022.

He’s been fantastic against LMU. #BYU #BYUhoops

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) February 3, 2023

It’s hard to believe, but this was the first double-double of the conference play for the Cougar’s big man.

Traore finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

He nearly made his first three-point attempt of the season. More on that later.

It’s worth mentioning that Spencer Johnson has a serious case to be the most valuable player against LMU.

He led the Cougars in scoring with 14 points while adding two steals.

However, I thought it was Traore who set the tone physically right from the jump.

What was something that caught my attention during the game?

Traore appeared to take and make his first three-point shot of the season.

Unfortunately, his foot was on the line, so the basket was only worth two points.

However, I thought it was noteworthy that he was willing to take a shot that far away from the basket.

Fouss with some range.

🎥: @CBSSportsCBB
pic.twitter.com/FP5NxkXvX4

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 3, 2023

Defenders play off of Traore when he’s in the high post because he hasn’t proven to be a threat away from the basket.

His willingness to take and make longer shots will make it harder for opponents to send a double team.

Yoeli Childs is someone he should work out with in the offseason.

Childs only took two three-point shots his freshman year and finished his senior season shooting 49 percent from deep.

I’m not saying he needs to shoot as many three-point shots as Childs did his final two seasons, but he needs to continue taking shots further away from the basket to soften the defense.

What was the most interesting stat from the game?

Turnovers have been an issue all season long, and it’s cost them a couple of “could have been wins” against the top teams in the conference.

BYU was second to last in the WCC in turnover margin before the game against LMU.

Against LMU, the Cougars had a season-low seven turnovers.

“Super proud of the guy’s focus,” said head coach Mark Pope post-game. “Our execution is getting better. We are getting better.”

#BYU head coach Mark Pope discussed the difference in the Cougars offense tonight against LMU: pic.twitter.com/ufFA5dwwyH

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) February 3, 2023

It’s not a surprise that liming turnovers helped BYU score 89 points.

They only committed five turnovers in the first half and two in the second half.

When was the game blank for BYU basketball?

Dallin Hall made a three-point shot to start the second half and it felt like it was going to be that kind of night for BYU after that made basket.

What was an 18-point halftime quickly became a 23-point lead early in the second half, and the Cougars never looked back.

With the win, BYU extends their home winning streak to 10 games over LMU.

Let’s not forget that the Lions are having an excellent season. Before the loss, LMU was in third place in the WCC standings.

Considering the circumstances, this goes down as the best win of the season.

It would have been easy for the Cougars to throw in the towel after close losses to Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s, but this team continues to fight and play with great effort each and every night.

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.