Mark Pope previews the Gonzaga matchup: “Dangerous, dangerous team”…read more…

BYU head coach Mark Pope is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead for his team as they prepare to face off against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In a recent press conference, Pope praised the Bulldogs, calling them a “dangerous, dangerous team.”

“Gonzaga is an incredible team,” Pope said. “They’re so well-coached, they’re so talented, and they’re so deep. They’re a team that can hurt you in so many different ways.”

Pope’s comments are certainly warranted, given Gonzaga’s impressive resume. The Bulldogs have been one of the top programs in the country for several years, and they’re off to a strong start this season.

One of the key matchups to watch in this game will be between BYU’s defense and Gonzaga’s high-powered offense. The Bulldogs feature a talented trio of scorers in Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, and Rasir Bolton, and they’re capable of putting up big numbers on any given night.

“We’re going to have to be really disciplined on defense,” Pope said. “We’re going to have to be able to guard the ball, guard the screen, and guard the post. We’re going to have to be able to do all of those things at a high level if we’re going to have any chance of slowing them down.”

On the other side of the ball, BYU will look to its own talented offense to try and keep pace with the Bulldogs. The Cougars feature a balanced attack that includes a strong backcourt duo in Jaxson Hayes and Rudi Williams, as well as a talented frontcourt led by Fousseyni Traore.

“We’re going to have to be able to score the ball efficiently,” Pope said. “We’re going to have to be able to get good shots, and we’re going to have to be able to make those shots. We’re also going to have to be able to take care of the ball and limit our turnovers, because Gonzaga is a team that can really capitalize on mistakes.”

Overall, Pope is excited for the challenge that lies ahead for his team. He knows that Gonzaga is a tough opponent, but he’s confident that his team has the talent and the determination to compete with anyone.

“This is a great opportunity for us to measure ourselves against one of the best teams in the country,” Pope said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge, and we’re excited to see how we match up against Gonzaga.”