World News – USA – Why This Is The Week BYU Can Start Building Its NCAA Tournament Resume

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The Cougars will face Pac-12 opponents USC in the Roman Legends Classic at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, the first of three games for BYU this week.

With three wins in four days to open the 2020-21 basketball season last week, BYU is now looking to Tuesday’s toughest test to date, followed by a crucial game stretch – and the chance to build its NCAA tournament résumé.

The Cougars will compete on USC Tuesday (12:30 p.m.). m. MST, ESPN2) in the Roman Legends Classic in the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, in the so-called « Bubbleville ». ”

Coach Mark Pope’s team hit Westminster, New Orleans and Utah Valley University last week. Are you ready for a trip across the country against tough competition?

« Well, we’re about to find out, right? » Said Pope. « I’m super excited about this. The boys were so tired from practicing that they said they didn’t want to practice anymore. We don’t practice anymore. We only have games. And they keep getting harder and harder. We face another challenge. ”

BYU will have to do without striker Gavin Baxter, who sustained a knee injury at the end of the season last Friday. « This is a great loss for us, » said Pope.

But the Cougars will have Matt Haarm’s 7-foot-3 center at full strength this week. Haarms missed the first two games with an ankle injury. He made his BYU debut against UVU on Saturday, scoring 10 points and having a rebound and block in limited minutes – 12.

When asked if Haarms’ protocols against USC would be limited, Pope joked, « Matt will be limited to 40 minutes. When it comes to overtime, it is limited to more. ”

« We have the best shot blocker in the country, » he said. « He will definitely change the game for us. We are happy to have him (this) week 100%. ”

BYU (3-0) face a USC (2-0) team who defeated California Baptist (95: 87) and Montana (76: 62) last week.

The Trojans have two five-star recruits – brothers Evan and Isaiah Mobley. Evan, a 7-foot newbie, leads the team averaging 16 points per game and eight rebounds per game. His older brother, Isaiah, a 6-10 year old student, leads the team on rebounding with an average of 11. 5 rebounds per game and 10 points per competition.

« I think it’s a great opportunity. USC is seen as a very good team. It’s a very good program too. They have some very talented players, ”said Haarms. “The Mobleys are very talented, very long, very athletic. It’s going to be a really good challenge for us. I think it’s going to be very difficult for us to play defensively against a group of athletes who just want to run, jump and are high-flyers.

« It will be a challenge for us to really see how we hold up against a team of this caliber. « . We did it this week. We had some dogfights. But I think USC will certainly be the most talented team we have played so far. ”

After the USC game, the Cougars were originally supposed to play the winner of a game against UConn and Vanderbilt on Thursday. But Vandy withdrew from the Uncasville trip due to COVID-19 issues.

USC will now play against UConn on Thursday, while BYU will play against St. . John’s on Wednesday (3 p. m. , ESPN2).

BYU visits the state of Utah on Saturday and then receives the state of Boise (Dec.. . 9) and arch-rivals Utah (Dec.. . 12). The following Friday, the Cougars are scheduled to travel to San Diego state (Dec.. . 18), Entertain Texas Southern (Dec.. . 21), then meet Weber State (Dec.. . 23) in the Vivint Arena.

Pope said the depth at his disposal will help his team deal with the condensed non-conference plan.

“It helps that we have depth. It helps us deal with all of these games, « said Pope. « You saw how weird our rotations were because we’re trying to figure it out a little too. Every single player in those first three games said, « I’m in. « . You want me for a minute You want me for 35 minutes? I’ll give you everything I have. I was really proud of the team for that. ”

The Cougars should learn a lot more about themselves this week with some big tests.

BYU Cougars Men’s Basketball, Brigham Young University, USC Trojan Football, USC Trojan Men’s Basketball, Matt Haarms, Basketball, Legends Classic