Weber State vs. BYU: Cougars Show Great Progress in Dominating Win over Wildcats

BYU had started off the season 6-2, but was still the target of many skeptics who pointed out that those two losses came to the two most legitimate teams BYU had played so far (Utah State and Wisconsin). 

In-state foe Weber State came to Provo on Wednesday to play the Cougars, sporting a record of 5-1 that included a double-digit victory over that same Utah State team that handed BYU a loss.

State media and fans were predicting a shifting of basketball power in Utah, and were proclaiming Weber State the "best team in the state." 

The Wildcats' stellar guard, Damian Lillard, came into the BYU game leading the nation in scoring, and was drawing comparisons to former BYU player and national player-of-the-year award-winner Jimmer Fredette.

All of the hype surrounding Weber State made for good news—but someone evidently forgot to tell BYU that Weber State was now the best team in the state.

The Cougars completely and utterly dominated the Wildcats in almost every facet of the game, winning 94-66. 

Even that lopsided score wasn't truly indicative of how badly BYU beat Weber State, as the Wildcats made up some ground in the last five minutes against the Cougars' reserve players.

The Cougars fired on all cylinders in almost every aspect of the game—if the Cougars keep up this type of play, they are poised for a pretty good season.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cougars had six steals and a whopping nine blocks.  They also held Lillard to his worst output of the season, limiting him to 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting, while forcing three turnovers from him. 

Lillard bore no resemblance to the star player he had been earlier in the season, as BYU's defense was well prepared for him and made him a non-factor for most of the game.

BYU's performance on offense was equally impressive, as the Cougars put together a complete balanced attack.  Six players scored in the double digits for BYU, led by senior forward Noah Hartsock and his 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The attack was also incredibly balanced. 

Hartsock, Brandon Davies and backup center Nate Austin all got a large amount of points playing physical down by the basket.  Brock Zylstra and Charles Abouo both poured it in from behind the three-point line.  Hartsock and Stephen Rogers also consistently hit mid-range jumpers. 

Weber State couldn't key in defensively on any one player or area of the floor, because the Cougars were using multiple players to light up the scoreboard from all over the court. 

There's no good defense against an offense who can give it to any of their players and watch them score from almost any area on the offensive half of the court.

BYU's effort today would almost certainly have been good enough for a victory over any team in the nation.  It was that good.

BYU grew by leaps and bounds in their win over Weber State tonight, and if they can build on that performance, they will be a force to be reckoned with, both in the West Coast Conference and in the nation.