BYU Basketball: What have we learned so far?

by Max Westerman |

• Alex Barcello is the leader of the team. In his first game, Barcello set a new career high with 25 points scored. Despite only nine assists through the first three games, some of the passes were beautiful including an over the head hook pass setting up Kolby Lee for an easy lay-in against the University of New Orleans.

• BYU’s depth is on display. In their first three games, at least ten different players have scored. Coach Pope is spreading the minutes around and nobody had to play a full 40 minutes.

• BYU’s size has been BIG. In three games, BYU has out-rebounded their opponents 130-86. Richard Harward and freshman Caleb Lohner have combined for 43 of those boards and have delivered big points in the paint.

• BYU was the top 3-point shooting team in the country last season, hitting at a ridiculous 42.2%. This year, they have continued that trend. They tied the single game BYU home record with 18 3-point buckets made in their first game and shot at a 46 percent clip. They followed up that performance in their second and third games shooting at 37 percent and 44 percent respectively.

• Although BYU has yet to play a ranked or conference opponent, they are showing promise in the early going. They may not have the star power they did last season, but their depth will prove valuable as the season progresses. Look for Caleb Lohner to build trust with Coach Pope and expand on his role in the offense. He started against Coach Pope’s former team, Utah Valley, and pulled down an impressive eight rebounds in 19 minutes. Hyped transfer Matt Haarms made his debut scoring 10 points in 12 minutes and registered a block establishing his presence in the paint early on. His playing time will continue to grow as his ankle heals.

BYU will face its first big test today against 2-0 USC and the Mobley brothers. The game will be nationally aired on ESPN2 at 12:30 PM Mountain Time.

Featured image courtesy BYU Photo | Deseret News