Game Day Preview: BYU at Iowa State
The Cougars’ winning streak faces a tough test against one of the Big 12’s best.
BYU basketball is on a roll. The Cougars secured their sixth consecutive victory with a 77-65 win over West Virginia. Despite a sluggish first half, BYU dominated in the second half, leaving the Mountaineers far behind. The team looks sharp and is poised to make a deep postseason run.
Next, BYU faces its final road game of the season against the Iowa State Cyclones, who are currently ranked #10 in the country. The Cyclones have been exceptional at home. While the Cougars are accustomed to overcoming challenges and have delivered big performances in the past, they’ll need to stay hot to keep this game from slipping away.
Last Saturday, BYU struggled in the first half against West Virginia, failing to make a single three-pointer. It was a rough start, but the Cougars erupted in the second half, scoring 52 of their 77 points and showing their offensive firepower.
BYU cannot afford another slow start and will need to get ahead early to compete. However, there’s optimism because the Cougars are capable of getting hot, as they have proven repeatedly with their impressive three-point shooting. If BYU can hit their shots early, they’ll be tough to stop.
Keys to the Game for BYU:
1. Start Strong: BYU has faced challenges with slow starts, especially on the road this season. Ames is a difficult venue, and the Cyclones have only lost one home game in conference play (against Kansas State). BYU’s best chance is to start strong, quiet the crowd, and build momentum. If Cougar fans show up as expected, the atmosphere could turn in BYU’s favor.
2. Feed Fouss: Fousseyni Traore was dominant inside against West Virginia, and the Mountaineers couldn’t stop him. BYU is more than just a three-point shooting team, with Fouss being a force down low. Continuing to feed him the ball will keep the offense flowing smoothly.
3. Limit Turnovers: Turnovers have been a recurring issue for BYU. Poor passes and ball-handling mistakes have hurt them all season. Iowa State will look to capitalize on those mistakes, leading to easy fast-break points and energizing their home crowd. BYU must protect the ball and win the turnover battle to stay in control.
The Cougars face a tough challenge against Iowa State. This game presents an opportunity to prove their doubters wrong, and BYU can show its potential with a strong performance. The key will be starting fast, feeding Traore, and taking care of the ball. BYU has a great opportunity, and staying focused will be crucial.
BYU takes on Iowa State on March 4th at 7:00 pm, with the game airing on ESPN2.
