The first two encounters weren’t exactly instant classics, but BYU manager Mark Pope believes his team can change that in round three against Gonzaga # 1.
The second seed Zags and Cougars tangle for the WCC tournament championship at 6pm on Tuesday at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
Gonzaga led 23-2 and eventually 32 points in an 86-69 win at Spokane. The Zags led by up to 22 while winning the rematch 82-71 in Provo.
“We were incredibly frustrated with our first try, the second was a little better,” said Cougars coach Mark Pope. “We have to find a way to improve our level of play accordingly. You deserve a great game and we are hungry to play a great game.
“We think we have more in the tank. We believe we will. “
The Cougars (20-5) had to empty the tank with the third seed in the semi-final victory against Pepperdine on Monday. They stayed behind in regulation for more than 36 minutes before taking an 82-77 win in overtime.
BYU’s challenge is to slow down the nation’s greatest crime.
“They are a generation team,” said Pope of the Zags. “I don’t know when or if I saw a team of five guys on the floor who are so skilled at passing the ball and how they can play for each other.”
Gonzaga (25-0) defeated Saint Marys 78-55 to advance to the championship game for the 24th time in a row. The Zags are 5-0 against BYU in the WCC tournament, including title wins in 2018 (74-54), 2015 (91-75) and 2014 (75-64).
The Cougars have not won a WCC regular season or tournament title since attending the 2012 conference.
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