Balanced — yes.
Youthful. Sort of.
Underrated? Maybe.
Brigham Young University, No. 12 in the Associated Press college basketball poll, comes to Albuquerque on Wednesday for a battle royale with the No. 23 UNM men’s basketball team, which ascended back into the top 25 for the second time this season.
Lobo head coach Steve Alford said he wants his team focused and not to overlook why the Cougars are one of the top teams in the country.
“Of all the teams that we have played this year, they’re the best by far, and we understand that,” he said. “They have won 20 games, and nobody else in the country has done that. This is a very, very potent team. They do a good job at both ends and are extremely well-coached. So, we know how well we’re going to have (to) play to win this game.”
BYU has only lost one game this season, a 71-61 decision at Utah State on Dec. 2.
The Cougars survived an upset bid at San Diego State on Saturday, escaping Cox Arena with a 71-69 victory over the Aztecs.
BYU’s luminary point, and possibly shoe-in Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, Jimmer Fredette, is second in the MWC in scoring, behind UNLV’s Tre’von Willis. Fredette is averaging 16 points per game.
Lobo point guard Dairese Gary said he will be on a mission to lock down the conference’s best point guard.
Gary said Fredette reminds him of an example of NBA talent.
“When I … watch him, he reminds me of Steve Nash, because, you know, he’s not known to be one of the fastest people in the world,” Gary said. “He can’t jump the highest, but somehow he can always get to the basket, shoot it and score. He can play defense when he wants to, too.”
The Lobos, back in the top 25, are riding a four-game winning streak and are currently 18-3 overall and 4-2 in the MWC, pending Wednesday’s outcome.
It’s the first time since 1973 that the schools are battling it out while both ranked in top 25.
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However, the Lobos four-game winning streak seems miniscule to the one the Cougars are currently riding. BYU is on a 15-game winning streak and it’s currently the second longest in Division 1 basketball.
“I think that there was going to be a lot to (the game) regardless,” Alford said. “You got one team that is undefeated in the league and another team that is two games back. It’s one of those big games, regardless of what takes place.”
Luckily, the Lobos will be playing at home, where they’ve lost just one contest in the last 22 home games.
Gary said he thrives at The Pit, especially against a formidable foe like BYU.
“Our cheering section (student section, Section 26), that is our sixth man,” Gary said. “They’re always there, especially if we are down. They are there to pick us up. I mean, this is going to be a tough game against BYU. We are going to need all the help we can get from our fans.”
