BYU's basketball schedule is about to lighten up, but it's all relative in the Big 12

PROVO — One third of the way through No. 21 BYU's first season in the Big 12, and the conference has been everything the Cougars thought it would be when they signed up for the "toughest men's basketball conference in America."

And then some.

A top-10 team in KenPom and top five in the NET, BYU is the third-rated team in the conference in ESPN's Basketball Power Index with a 2-4 record based largely on the likes of its schedule faced. The Cougars (14-4) are only behind top-rated Houston (17-2) and No. 7 Iowa State (15-4) with the No. 13 BPI rating, just ahead of 14-4 Baylor.

Coming off three straight opponents ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since the program's 1981 NCAA Tournament run, the Cougars (14-4) will welcome Texas to the Marriott Center Saturday for the first times since 1974 (12 p.m. MST, ESPN2). But head coach Rodney Terry's team that just earned back-to-back wins over No. 11 Oklahoma and No. 15 Baylor isn't much of a step down — if any.

"I think they probably feel like they're what they were supposed to be at the beginning of the season, when they were in the top 10," BYU coach Mark Pope said of the suddenly surging Longhorns, who are ranked 36th in KenPom and 44th in the NET. "They got healthy and they got to know each other better in some really important pieces that were new to the team.

"Think they probably felt like they are where they were supposed to be in the season. ... They're playing some really incredible basketball."

All the better for the Cougars to be rested at home in back-to-back games for the first time since opening with three of their first league opponents on the road. After the team's comeback bid against No. 4 Houston fell short Tuesday night, BYU's remaining strength of schedule ranks 32nd nationally by ESPN's BPI.

That may seem like a tall task — except for the fact that the top-10 teams in the metric and 13 of the top 14 all come from the Big 12.

There are no easy games in the Big 12. But BYU's upcoming stretch of six games featuring just one team currently ranked in the AP Top 25 and home dates against Kansas State and UCF may be about as close as it gets.

"I've said this before, but it's a dogfight — every game," said BYU forward Noah Waterman, who scored 35 points combined against Iowa State and Houston after a slow start to conference play. "It comes down to who wins the offensive and defensive glass, and who plays the best defense. It's really tough.

"People are going at you every night, not trying to make friends. We're not trying to make friends, either; we're trying to win games. It's been really fun, though, with the competitive spirit and the crowds at every game. It's made for a fun atmosphere."

After Saturday's home game, the Cougars have a midweek bye before traveling to West Virginia next Saturday for the first of consecutive road games that include Oklahoma. Then it's back home against Kansas State and UCF before a trip to Oklahoma State — the only winless team in league play — on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Taking advantage of the home schedule will be crucial as the currently tied for 10th in the Big 12 standings tries to secure better positioning for the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.

"I love personally playing in the Marriott Center, with the energy and all the fans. That helps us as a team, when you have 20,000 people on your side instead of going into an away game with 20,000 of their fans against 15 of you," Waterman said. "The energy in the Marriott Center is really good, and we want to play well for our fans. I think it's really good for us to have another game back here."

Related topics