BYU basketball: 2019-20 season review and 2020-2021 early preview

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 09: Cameron Pearson #15, Trevin Knell #21 and Taylor Maughan #13 of the Brigham Young Cougars react on the bench during the team's game against the Saint Mary's Gaels during the West Coast Conference basketball tournament semifinals at the Orleans Arena on March 9, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Gaels defeated the Cougars 51-50. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Memorable Moments

BYU tops UCLA in Maui

The Cougars were one of the more under-the-radar teams at the Maui Invitational, but they made a statement in their first game of the event. Facing off with a solid UCLA team, the Cougars pulled away late to secure a 78-63 win without Childs. Toolson and Haws combined to score 35 points to help BYU advance to face Kansas in the second round.

BYU holds on against Utah State

Every year BYU plays a number of Utah’s major college hoops programs in the non-conference schedule. This year’s most difficult in-state opponent was Utah State, a bona fide tournament team in their own right but the Cougars pulled off a 68-64 win over the Aggies in the Beehive Classic. Childs was a star in that game, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the win.

Gonzaga routs BYU in Spokane

BYU was a promising team that was set for its first major litmus test in mid-January with a trip to Spokane against Gonzaga. That matchup didn’t go very well, with the Bulldogs running away from the Cougars in a 92-69 rout. Gonzaga shot over 56 percent from the floor and outscored BYU by 16 in the second half to turn a potentially close game into a laugher.

BYU returns the favor to the Zags

After getting embarrassed by Gonzaga in January the Cougars had their matchup against the Bulldogs circled on the calendar. BYU celebrated Senior Day for Childs, Toolson and Haws by beating Gonzaga in a 13-point game that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated. The Bulldogs had their 19-game winning streak snapped in that contest, establishing BYU as a bona fide threat in the NCAA Tournament.