BYU Basketball Starts Critical Three-Game Stretch on Saturday Night

No. 21 BYU basketball is 4-5 in conference play and coming off a tough road loss at Oklahoma. The Cougars will look to bounce back on Saturday evening against the Kansas State Wildcats. The game against Kansas State is the first of three pivotal games on BYU's schedule. The upcoming stretch against Kansas State, UCF, and Oklahoma State is the most manageable stretch of the schedule.

KenPom gives BYU an 85% chance to beat Kansas State, an 84% chance to beat UCF, and an 80% chance to Oklahoma State. In total, KenPom gives BYU a 57% chance to go 3-0 in that stretch.

At 4-5 in conference play, this is the most important stretch to reach .500 or better by the end of the regular season. BYU had one of the most difficult schedules in the conference over the first six games of conference play. The Cougars were competitive in every game, leading five out of six games at halftime, but second half struggles and failures resulted in a 2-4 record.

The middle six games of the schedule were always going to be the most manageable. So far, BYU is 2-1 with the games against Kansas State, UCF, and Oklahoma State upcoming. A 4-2 record, at minimum, will be needed to reach .500. A 5-1 record in that stretch would position BYU to potentially be 10-8 in conference play.

The last six games of the conference slate will be very challenging, particularly on the road. The Cougars play at Kansas, Iowa State, and Kansas State. The Cougars also play TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma State at home. Realistically, going 3-3 in that stretch should be the goal.

Winning games is incredibly difficult in this conference. Just ask no. 4 Kansas who lost to Kansas State on Monday night. You can't chalk up any wins until the final buzzer sounds. However, if BYU is going to finish .500 or better in conference play, the Cougars have to take advantage of the next three games. There won't be another stretch like it the rest of the way.

If BYU can take care of business over the next three games, BYU will be playing for a high seed in the NCAA tournament over the last six games.

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