Oral Roberts (7-5) at BYU (10-4)
Saturday, 7 p.m. MST
Marriott Center
TV: BYUtv
Radio: 1160 AM, 102.7 FM
PROVO — When BYU tipped off the season back on Nov. 5, it did so with a new head coach, Mark Pope, and without star forward Yoeli Childs for the first nine games.
Nearly two months later, the Cougars have posted an impressive 10-4 record with some big wins on their resume.
BYU (10-4) opens West Coast Conference play next Thursday at home against Loyola Marymount, but first, the Cougars play their final nonconference contest Saturday (7 p.m., MST, BYUtv) when they host Oral Roberts.
How does BYU assess its nonconference performance to this point?
“Coach has said since the beginning that we’re going to get better every single day. I think we’ve grown so much over this time,” said senior guard TJ Haws. “We’ve grown closer together as a team. Our chemistry has developed. I think we’re in a really good spot right now. We really trust in what the coaches have told us and their game plans. I’m really enjoying playing with this team. It’s been a blast so far. I’m trying to soak in every moment because it’s going by quick, but I feel great about this team and where we’re at. I’m excited to get back out on the floor.”
BYU is looking to extend its four-game win streak. This marks its first contest since a 91-61 trouncing of Weber State last Saturday.
The Cougars, meanwhile, continue to move up in various national ratings. They are currently No. 31 in the NET, which is the NCAA’s primary tracking system.
BYU also checks in at No. 30 in the Sagarin ratings, No. 35 in KenPom and No. 27 in the ESPN BPI. The Cougars have recorded four KenPom top 100 victories, including two in the top 50.
“We look at those numbers a little bit. I feel good about where we’re at. We’ve put ourselves in a good spot,” Haws said. “It’s a good marker for us but we’re focusing on this next game and how we can get better. We know if we get better every single day that those rankings will continue to get better.”
For BYU, the biggest challenge against Oral Roberts will be rebounding.
The Golden Eagles (7-5) rank No. 9 in the nation in offensive rebounding, averaging 14.1 per game. They’re also No. 10 in total rebounds per game, pulling down 42.4 per game. Forward Emmanuel Nzekwesi averages a team-high 16.1 points and 8.7 rebounds while forward Kevin Obanor is averaging 8.2 points and 7.4 boards.
“Their front line is so big and so physical. It’s like the four Kaufusi Brothers. They are massive. … We know we are in for some work,” Pope said. “We started nonconference with these huge rebounding challenges. We’re finishing non-conference with a massive rebounding challenge. ... Hopefully, we can show that we’ve grown that way as a team.”
Pope said Oral Roberts said he’s caused problems for a lot of other opponents when it comes to rebounding.
“Creighton and Wichita State and other great teams had four guys in the paint trying to grab a defensive rebound against their one center and they couldn’t get it, so it’s going to be a big challenge.”
“This game is a good test for us to try to improve and try to keep this team off the glass,” said forward Dalton Nixon. “They’re a really good rebounding team. … It’s going to be similar to the San Diego State game as far as offensive rebounding. … We’re going to have to rebound as a team like we did against San Diego State.”
BYU forward Kolby Lee, who missed last Saturday’s game due to injury, practiced Friday.
“He was good (Friday). I was really happy,” Pope said. “It looked like he was moving around OK. We certainly need him for at least a few minutes. Hopefully he’ll be good to go.”
As the Cougars enter their final non-conference game, they’re hoping to finish this part of their schedule in strong fashion.
“It’s crazy that conference starts next week,” Nixon said. “Our whole goal throughout the season has been to get better each game.”