No. 9 BYU returns to Beehive State, faces Cal Baptist on Wednesday

PROVO, Utah — Fresh off its win at the Terry's Chocolate ESPN Events Invitational, No. 9 BYU returns to the Beehive State on Wednesday, Dec. 3, when the Cougars face Cal Baptist at Delta Center. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT. 

WHERE TO WATCH
Wednesday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Dave McCann, Blaine Fowler and Spencer Linton on the call. 

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW FRIENDS
Wednesday will be the first all-time meeting between the two programs and 283rd different school that BYU has played (all divisions including schools that no longer exist or sponsor men's basketball). The Lancers are the third of four schools that BYU will play for a first time joining fellow member of the Western Athletic Conference Abilene Christian, Delaware and Holy Cross. 

 

 

ONLY CHAMPIONS WELCOME AT MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE
With its 83-79 win over Dayton on Friday evening, BYU improved to 3-1 in multi-team events under second-year head coach Kevin Young.

It also the seventh time the Cougars are have won a MTE since the beginning of the 2000-01 season (2023 Vegas Showdown, 2010 South Padre Invitational, 2009 Las Vegas Classic, 2008 Basketball Travelers Invitational, 2006 BYU Holiday Classic, 2002 Paradise Jam). 

HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Wednesday will be the Cougars' second regular season at Delta Center, marking the fourth time since their first game on March 11, 1993 that BYU has played multiple games at the home of the Utah Jazz in same season. 

Wednesday will be the Cougars' 31st game at Delta Center as they are 25-5 all-time including three straight wins highlighted by a 98-70 victory over No. 23 Wisconsin earlier this season. 

GROUNDHOG DAY
For the third straight week, BYU is ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll marking their fifth straight week in the Top 10 and second longest streak since the 2010-11 season. 

The Cougars are 8-3 all-time when ranked ninth in the AP Poll, with the last three wins coming at neutral sites. Since losing to UCLA and Oklahoma City in the NCAA Tournament in 1965, BYU has won eight of its last nine with the lone setback coming at New Mexico on Jan. 29, 2011.

THAT'S A HIGH PERCENTAGE SHOT
Keba Keita ranks 10th among active players in field goal percentage as the senior is shooting 63.5 percent from the field during his collegiate career. 

Rank	Player, School	FGM	FGA	Pct
1	Quincy Ballard, Mississippi State	303	421	.720
2	Maliq Brown, Duke	249	357	.697
3	Khamari McGriff, Kansas State	254	366	.694
4	Miles Rubin, Loyola Chicago	282	416	.678
5	Federiko Federicko, Texas A&M	244	363	.672
6	Rafael Castro, George Washington	274	424	.646
7	Julius Mims, New Mexico State	280	434	.645
8	Pharrel Payne, Maryland	394	616	.640
9	Nick Pringle, Arkansas	267	420	.636
10	Keba Keita, BYU	292	460	.635

The native of Bamako, Mali shot a program record 67.3 percent from the field last year (min. 100 FGM) en route to averaging 7.4 points per game. He was even better in conference play, shooting 67.3 percent from the field including a stretch of 13 straight makes in wins over Kansas, Arizona, Arizona State, Iowa State and West Virginia.

FLIPPING THE SWITCH
Seven games into the season, BYU enjoys the second half a lot more than first as they are shooting 52.4 percent from the field and outscoring opponents by a combined 76 points after halftime. They have scored 50 or more points in the final 20 minutes of four games this season, two less than they had in 36 games last season.

According to CBB Analytics, BYU has the 13th highest net rating (measures the teamís point differential per 100 possessions) in the second half compared to ranking 98th in the first half. Their offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions) is 133.7 in the second half compared to 110.4 (99th) in the first half. The Cougars also own the 10th highest effective field goal percentage after halftime.