Why the Cougars have a puncher’s chance against the Zags

The Cougars took care of business in their regular-season finale at Pepperdine Saturday, earning the No. 2 seed in the WCC Tournament and the three-game bye that accompanies it. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney examine this team heading into postseason play and discuss what will be needed for it to make a run. They also address the Cougars’ mastery of the pick and roll and how BYU’s many offensive weapons create nightmares for opposing coaches. From there, the trio talks BYU basketball recruiting and looks ahead to spring football, which began Monday. What are the most interesting storylines to follow? That and more on this week’s episode.

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In this edition of the Cougar Insiders podcast, Dick Harmon joins Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney in recapping the huge BYU upset over No. 2 Gonzaga last Saturday, and break down what bracketologists and matrix numbers mean for BYU’s NCAA Tournament hopes. The trio look at the standout memories of the win over the Zags, the setting, individual performances and what that win has done for the legacy of head coach Mark Pope. What might this game mean for recruits? They also set the stage for BYU football’s spring football. That and more on this week’s episode.

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A big-time play at the end of the BYU-San Diego game Saturday preserved the Cougars’ six-game winning streak, and two days later BYU found itself in the AP Top 25 for the first time in nine years — checking in at No. 23. Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney break down last week’s road sweep and look ahead to this week’s games against Santa Clara (Thursday) and No. 2 Gonzaga (Saturday). Drew and Gurney discuss what will be needed for the Cougars to pull off an upset over the Zags. They also look ahead to BYU spring football, which BYU coaches say will include a “wide-open battle” at QB. That and more on this week’s episode.

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BYU basketball coach Mark Pope called his team “dangerous” following last week’s victories over Portland and San Francisco. Whether the Cougars are or not, is there wisdom in underpromising and overdelivering? Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney also talk about Gavin Baxter’s return to the lineup (how big of lift will that be?), the strength of the WCC (is this more than a two-bid league?) and BYU football (why are the Cougars slipping when it comes to attracting the top local talent?) That and more on this week’s episode.

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It was a big weekend for BYU basketball guard TJ Haws — first taking the game-deciding shot against Saint Mary’s then welcoming his first child into the world. Needless to say, both deliveries were a success. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon and Jay Drew break down last week’s two BYU victories and discuss how the Cougars are trending in the right direction just past the midpoint of the WCC season. They also talk about former Utah running back Devonta’e Henry-Cole’s decision to trade in his red uniform for a blue one and how a pair of former Cougars — Andy Reid and Daniel Sorensen — earned Super Bowl rings on Sunday. That and more on this week’s episode.

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Last week was a puzzling one for the BYU basketball team, with an impressive victory at Pacific followed by a disappointing loss at San Francisco. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney look back at the Cougars’ split and debate how damaging the loss to the Dons was. They also talk about two other setbacks — games the Cougars were in position to win that slipped away — that could hurt the Cougars come NCAA tourney selection time. Other topics include BYU basketball commit Richie Saunders (the kid is special), Super Bowl participants Daniel Sorensen, Fred Warner and Andy Reid, and how the Cougars are faring heading into next week’s national signing day. That and more on this week’s episode. 

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Key lessons were learned in BYU’s loss at No. 1 Gonzaga, but how will the Cougars fare during a five-game stretch in which they should be favored in each contest? In this edition of the Cougar Insiders podcast, Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney discuss those topics as well as the possible return of injured Yoeli Childs. They also talk basketball and football recruiting and break down BYU’s connections in the upcoming Super Bowl.

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After missing the first nine games of the BYU basketball season due to an NCAA rules infraction, Yoeli Childs was back in street clothes on the BYU bench last week, this time due to a dislocated finger. Despite his absence, the Cougars fought hard at Saint Mary’s before losing in overtime, then made quick work of Portland on Saturday at the Marriott Center. Childs’ status for this week’s games against San Diego (Thursday) and at No. 1 Gonzaga (Saturday) is unknown, but beating the Zags sans Childs would be a tall order. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Jay Drew look ahead to this week’s matchups and what to expect. They also talk BYU football (recruiting) and the high level of trust between BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe and Utah AD Mark Harlan. That and more on this week’s episode.

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The BYU basketball team, which endured its share of adversity during the offseason, is off to a surprising 12-4 start and is gaining traction as a possible NCAA tourney team — maybe one, should things go right, that could even make some noise. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney discuss the upstart Cougars and the “character” factor that first-year coach Mark Pope has instilled. They also look back at the first decade of independence for the BYU football team (the good and the bad), the BYU men’s volleyball team (could this squad vie for a national title?), and Taysom Hill’s wild ride in New Orleans. That and more on this week’s episode. 

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How important is the outcome of the Sofi Hawaii Bowl to BYU coach Kalani Sitake, his staff and the Cougar players? According to BYU Insiders Jay Drew and Dick Harmon, very important. This will be a business trip, not a vacation, to be sure — especially in the aftermath of the Cougars’ disappointing season-ending loss to San Diego State. So where are the key matchups and how critical will the play of quarterback Zach Wilson be? What could be the X-factor? One thing both Harmon and Drew feel could be a factor is special teams play; it often is in close games. Find out how the Insiders see this game playing out and what the most interesting storylines will be on this special Hawaii Bowl Cougar Insiders podcast.

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