BYU vs Utah game preview: these keys to the game could lift the Cougars to a final win over the Utes

Cougar Basketball is not often this elite. BYU is on a seven-game winning streak and has been called the nation’s hottest team. BYU has found great success lately, and the home crowd has been a huge boost. BYU has only lost two conference home games and is red-hot. Richie Saunders is the poster boy of the team, making free throws and burying clutch threes. Fousseyni Traore and Keba Keita have combined for strong interior defense and big dunks

Against Iowa State, BYU struggled early but found their groove, dominating the late first half and continuing that power into the second half. BYU would again go cold, and Iowa State would tie the game. BYU couldn’t get a game-winner, and the game went into overtime.

BYU got hot and then cold in both overtime periods before a defensive foul would send Dallin Hall to the free-throw line with one second left. Hall would make the first, giving BYU a three-point lead. The second free-throw would fall short, and the Milan Momcilovic heave would be well wide.

BYU has started slow the last few games, they cannot afford to have a slow start against a Utah team that is looking to sweep them. BYU needs to get hot early and keep pouding if they want to win this game against their in-state rival.

Keys to the game for BYU:

1. Get the crowd into it early: BYU is known for their quick home starts. If they start getting hot quickly, the crowd will get loud, and Utah will struggle to focus. BYU has the largest arena in the Big 12. If BYU starts hot, the fans will be loud, and Utah will feel it.

2. Get the ball to the scorers: BYU has scorers. If the Cougars can get the ball to players like Dallin Hall and Richie Saunders, they will be a hard team to stop. BYU can and will get hot, and it is a matter of staying hot and being hot at the right times.

3. Stay disciplined: This is a rivalry game. Utah knows this. They will be trying to get BYU to realize and get technical fouls. BYU needs to focus and stay disciplined if they want to succeed.

BYU has a good chance to win this game, and it will most likely be close. The Cougars need to get the crowd going, get the scorers hot, and keep their calm. The game is there for the taking and BYU is ready to win it.