Gonzaga guard Rasir Bolton knocks the ball loose from BYU forward Gideon George during game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. Turnovers have plagued the Cougars in WCC play this season.

Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

BYU coach Mark Pope admitted that his team took a step backward last weekend.

The Cougars were swept in the Bay Area, falling to Santa Clara Thursday and San Francisco Saturday.

“We had all of Sunday off, everybody could just get the bitterness out. (Monday) on the court everyone came with a fresh mind and a fresh heart. We had a good day at practice and another good day as well (Tuesday). Guys have just kicked last weekend under the rug and we’re getting ready for Saturday.” — BYU guard Rudi Williams

This week, BYU is going back to the drawing board. The Cougars have a bye Thursday and a huge challenge Saturday (8 p.m., MST, ESPN2) when No. 22 Saint Mary’s (18-4, 7-0) visits the Marriott Center. 

BYU (14-9, 4-4) sits in fifth place halfway through its final West Coast Conference schedule.

“We are so desperate to get better and we can’t afford backwards steps. It happens in growing and if I was more mature and a little bit of an adult, I’d be willing to accept that. We’re just running out of time,” Pope said. “We have so much work to do, so many ways that we need to get better, so many ways we need to get more reps and I’m feeling the pressure of time right now.

“Our guys feel the pressure of time right now and are trying to get better,” he continued. “I hope that we’re …read more

Source:: Deseret News – Sports News

      

BYU basketball: How will Cougars respond after two tough losses?

Leave a Reply