BYU-TCU Preview, 2/19/2011

BYU should take this game seriously after a fairly tight battle at home, which would spell doom for the Horned Frogs, who haven't won a game in 5.5 weeks.  All but two of the 9 losses over that span have been by double-digits.  Their best player was suspended, and the team has not responded.  Worse yet, that suspended player was the man who shut Jimmer down in the first matchup.  I'm sure Jimmer would love nothing more than matching his jersey number (32) in points against the Horned Frogs this time around.

Keys to the Game for BYU
1) Rust vs. Rest?  Was the week off better to get their legs back or will it cause some shaky shooting.  Collinsworth may be a bit rustier than the others, but he definitely needed the rest (his fatigued play looked a lot like rusty play...).  Besides, the Cougars can use this game can shake the rust off before a difficult 3-game stretch starting next week.  If BYU is REALLY rusty it may impact the outcome, but there is not reason that BYU shouldn't own this game from start to finish.
2) Collinsworth vs. Abouo?  A lot of the talk this week has been about which player would start at the 3 in this game.  I don't see any reason why both of them shouldn't play over 20 minutes.  Jimmer can take a quick rest, Collinsworth can play the point on offense and Abouo could move up top in the 2-3 zone.  Or if Davies or Hartsock get in foul trouble, those two can cover the 3/4 spots.  If both are playing well, put them on the floor together.  Give Jackson, Jimmer, and the big men a rest.  The Cougars cannot go wrong.
3) Letdown vs. Ramp-up?  Are the Cougars looking ahead to CSU, at SDSU, and New Mexico?  Or are they just ready to play after getting Wednesday night off?

If BYU is mentally unprepared and physically rusty, they may have issues.  Even then, I think Jimmer could put the team on his back in the first half until the others find their mojo in the second, that is if they don't start with it in the first place.  I look for Hartsock and Davies to get more touches and get more involved, particularly if they are going to guard Jimmer 30 feet away from the basket.

Prediction
BYU wins, and plays well for long stretches in the process.  Cougars 83, Horned Frogs 63.