Roadkills are gold within the chase for convention titles, they usually may be every part in a Massive 12 that has six groups with official pictures to hold a banner. No. 10 BYU is a type of Scary Six, and the Cougars are getting thrown proper into the fireplace by the Massive 12’s schedule-makers with Saturday’s opening tilt on the street towards a Kansas State membership that would desperately use a signature win.
AJ Dybantsa and PJ Haggerty are the 2 titans on this one. Dybantsa sits second in America in scoring, averaging over 23 factors per recreation. Haggerty (22.9 ppg), in the meantime, checks in third nationally. These two are destined to go toe-to-toe for the Massive 12 scoring title.
Dybantsa may be the one one that was hesitant to rejoice New 12 months’s Day as a result of he had December to recollect. The ballyhooed freshman had probably the greatest months in basketball historical past. He turned the primary Division I or NBA participant within the final 30 seasons to have a calendar month averaging a minimum of 25.0 factors, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists whereas taking pictures over 65% from the sector for an undefeated group, based on OptaSTATS. Legitimately ludicrous stuff from the mean-muggin’ stud.
He cannot be fairly as dominant in Massive 12 play … proper? We’re about to search out out.
BYU vs. Kansas State: Must know
Can Kansas State verify AJ Dybantsa? Protection has been a serious crimson flag for Kansas State all 12 months, however particularly towards large wings. California’s Chris Bell (27 factors), Creighton’s Josh Dix (18), Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort (21) and Bowling Inexperienced’s Sam Cities (27) have all had eye-popping days towards this Okay-State protection. It checks out on tape. With Mobi Ikegwuruka sidelined with a leg harm, Kansas State actually has no true wing stopper on the roster. That is a scary thought forward of a matchup towards Dybantsa, who’s the most effective pure wing in all of school basketball. I might count on Nate Johnson and CJ Jones to get cracks at attempting to decelerate the BYU star, however the 6-9 Dybantsa is a lot greater than each Johnson (6-3) and Jones (6-5). If Kansas State is not cautious, Dybantsa might get to his patented midrange fadeaway every time he desires over smaller defenders. Dybantsa is averaging a glowing 1.4 factors per possession on post-ups. Kansas State higher have a sound defensive plan as a result of it does not have the personnel to deal with Dybantsa one-on-one with out sending assist.
Can PJ Haggerty get Keba Keita in foul hassle? BYU has been a top-three (!) protection in America this 12 months when Keba Keita is on the ground, per hoop-explorer. The chiseled large man is a real difference-maker on that finish, however BYU’s protection drops off considerably (permitting 13 extra factors per 100 possessions) when Keita is off the ground. Kansas State’s PJ Haggerty is without doubt one of the elite foul-drawing guards within the nation going up towards a BYU protection that has been wonderful at defending with out fouling (Eleventh-best price, per KenPom). What offers? If he can get Keita a pair early fouls, the scales begin tipping in Okay-State’s course in a rush. Maintain an in depth eye on Kennard Davis’ affect as properly. The massive, sturdy wing has been an excellent defender for BYU. He ought to get the primary crack at Haggerty. If he can chest up and hold Haggerty out of the paint, that would hold Keita out of hurt’s means, too.
Second-half Cougs: BYU has been the most effective second-half group within the nation. Its +43.9 web ranking within the second half is just overwhelming and charges within the one centesimal percentile nationally, per CBB Analytics. Miami, Dayton and Clemson all discovered simply how onerous it’s to carry a lead towards BYU, and the Cougars practically erased a 20-point deficit of their lone loss to UConn again in mid-November. I would not count on this stat to stay all 12 months, however there’s proof of idea that this membership believes it might claw out of each gap. Nevertheless, Kevin Younger would possible desire to give up digging stated holes … beginning Saturday towards Kansas State, as a result of if Okay-State jumps out to an early benefit, Bramlage can really feel overwhelming in a jiffy.
The place to observe BYU vs. Kansas State stay
Date: Saturday, Jan. 3 | Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
Location: Bramlage Coliseum — Manhattan, Kansas
TV: CBS | Reside stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App
Streaming on Paramount+ Premium
BYU vs. Kansas State prediction, picks
BYU has had 12 days off to get pleasure from Christmas break and sink its enamel into this matchup. If it wins, time without work will probably be dubbed an excellent factor for relaxation and rest. If it loses, I am certain the lengthy layoff will probably be blamed by a number of. In the end, this recreation will probably be determined by transition protection. Kansas State likes to push the tempo in transition for fast buckets. BYU hasn’t been one to run away from a monitor meet, so it higher construct a wall towards Haggerty and recuperate to the shooters.
However the worst unit on this recreation is definitely Kansas State’s protection. Dybantsa has too many guys he can decide at to search out mismatches. BYU’s offense is so good at discovering the recent spots with Richie Saunders or Rob Wright, too. Even on the street, I feel BYU has 4 of the most effective 5 gamers on the ground always. Kansas State can hold round due to the quick-strike transition scoring and Haggerty’s particular person brilliance, however BYU has too many edges schematically, coaching-wise and talent-wise to disregard. Choose: Kansas State +7.5
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