Three-Point Shooting Among Observations From BYU’s Loss At No. 2 Gonzaga
Jan 13, 2022, 11:06 PM | Updated: Jan 14, 2022, 6:17 am
Julian Strawther drives against Atiki Ally Atiki (Photo by Robert Johnson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Robert Johnson/Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team wasn’t able to keep pace with No. 2 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs falling on the road 110-84.
The Zags had three players score 2o or more points and as a team they scored at least 49 points in each half.
Alex Barcello led the Cougars with 19 points, but there wasn’t enough balance offensively to hang with the Zags.
Here are my three observations.
1. Alex Barcello quick trigger from deep
Barcello was back to his accurate shooting from the three-point line after an uncharacteristic shooting performance in a win versus Saint Mary’s.
He made four of his six attempts in just 26 minutes played.
Alex Barcello has hit three or more 3-pointers in 24 games, tied for the 8th most in program history with Mike Rose (2003-07).#BYUHoops @BYUMBB
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) January 14, 2022
The majority of his three-point attempts were tightly contested against long Gonzaga defenders.
His ability to get his shot off in tight spaces is special.
There were many issues in the blowout loss, but Barcello was not one of them.
2. Caleb Lohner: Aggressive on offense
He scored 17 points, his second-highest output of the season.
I thought it was encouraging that Lohner looked to score more than he previously had in conference play.
The last time he scored in double figures was back in Hawai’i against Vanderbilt.
One bright spot tonight: Caleb Lohner.
He’s been more aggressive offensively.
No hesitation on either of his three point attempts.
Great sign moving forward for #BYU 🏀 @kslsports
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) January 14, 2022
It was the first time all season that he made multiple three point shots, which will be critical for BYU going forward.
Lohner was the subject of constant heckling by the student section in the Kennel, and it didn’t phase him, perhaps, it was just what he needed.
Getting him out a slump will be more impactful long term than a road win would have been against the Zags.
3. BYU basketball three-point edge
The Zags are on a short list of teams that can win an NCAA championship for a myriad of reasons.
One of the few things they haven’t been great at this season is making three point shots accurately.
That certainly wasn’t an issue against BYU in their first meeting of the season.
Second time in the Mark Pope era #BYU has allowed 100+ points to an opponent. First time since an overtime loss to Utah in 2019.#BYUHoops
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 14, 2022
Gonzaga leads the country in field goal percentage and they managed to shatter their average by 17 percent.
The Cougars made more three point shots than Gonzaga, but they took more shots as well.
It’s impossible to beat them if they shoot it like that from deep.
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.
