Three-Point Shooting Among Observations From BYU Loss Against Washington State
Mar 23, 2022, 9:22 PM | Updated: Mar 30, 2022, 2:46 pm
Washington State guard Michael Flowers with the ball against BYU (Courtesy of BYU Photo)
(Courtesy of BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team’s 2021-2022 season came to an end against Washington State after losing 77-58.
BYU cut the deficit to five points with 14 minutes remaining, but Washington State out-scored BYU 35-21 the rest of the way.
It was the final home game for Alex Barcello in the Marriott Center.
The senior guard had 12 points but struggled to make three-point shots against a good Cougar defense.
Here are my observations from a tough loss to finish out the year.
1. Fouss Traore rebounding
One of the biggest bright spots of the season has been the development of Fousseyni Traore.
His emergence allowed BYU to have a fighting chance at the NCAA tournament.
With eight rebounds against Washington State, Traore passed Yoeli Childs for most rebounds in their freshman season.
With his 273rd rebound of the season, Fousseyni Traore passes Yoeli Childs for the most rebounds by a freshman in program history.#BYUHoops @BYUMBB
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) March 24, 2022
It will be an important off-season for Traore, who will become one of the Cougars most critical players for success next season.
2. BYU basketball three-point shooting
It’s been a roller-coaster ride from the three-point line this season.
Unfortunately, the team’s percentage has dipped every year under Mark Pope.
In 2019-2020, the Cougars made 42 percent from downtown and this year it’s down to 36 percent.
Against Northern Iowa, BYU made 16 three-point shots making 43 percent of their attempts en route to scoring 90 points.
#BYU 🏀 falls to the Wazzu Cougs 77-58.
One stat jumps of the page for me: 15 percent.
The Cougars shot 15 percent from deep which is the biggest reason they aren’t heading to NYC. @kslsports #BYUhoops
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) March 24, 2022
It was a different story against Washington State.
BYU only made three long-distance buckets while shooting 15 percent from behind the line.
Modern basketball demands better three-point shooting.
3. Marriott Center was loud
BYU fans showed up at the Marriott Center hoping to see the Cougars earn a trip to New York City.
12,094 fans bought tickets, most of the lower bowl was filled.
Late in the first half, Alex Barcello was called for a traveling violation on a bang-bang play that could have been called a blocking foul.
Cougar faithful booed as loud as I’ve heard them this season.
Mark Pope and #BYU fans are not happy about that traveling call on Alex Barcello.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 24, 2022
The boo’s remained every time Washington State had the ball for the rest of the half.
You have to credit BYU fans for showing up and packing the Marriott Center to support a team who didn’t make it to the NCAA tournament.
With one year remaining in the WCC, BYU will have re-group in the off-season and develop players on the roster if they want one final chance at knocking off Gonzaga before they depart for the Big 12.
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.
