This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Provo • Because almost all of their players go on two-year LDS Church missions before or during their careers at BYU, the Cougars are usually older than any opponent.

But that might not be the case on Thursday, when BYU hosts Saint Mary's at 7 p.m. at the Marriott Center (ESPN2).

The Gaels (18-5, 10-2 WCC) generally start five fifth-year seniors, although they didn't in Saturday's 73-58 win over Pacific because senior Aaron Bright didn't play. He sprained ankle sprained in the loss to Pepperdine two days prior.

The Cougars (18-8, 8-5 WCC) have used 10 different starting lineups, but almost always have started a freshman or sophomore, sometimes two or three.

"You probably have to look pretty deep into NCAA rosters right now to find a team that is starting five fifth-year guys," BYU coach Dave Rose said Wednesday after the Cougars put the final touches on their preparation for the rematch. "It is a real advantage for them."

It certainly was on Jan. 17 in Moraga, Calif., when senior Brad Waldow had a monster game with 24 points and 14 rebounds and the Gaels took an 82-77 win. But it was the play of Waldow's supporting cast — USC transfer Garrett Jackson, Washington transfer Desmond Simmons and Bright, from Stanford — that really kept the Cougars from extending their winning streak over the Gaels to three.

Jackson had 20 points and nine rebounds, Simmons added six points and six rebounds and Bright hit two big free throws in the final seconds after getting a call when he jumped into BYU defender Skyler Halford.

"Waldow gets so much attention that sometimes we forget about other guys, and we turn our head and a guy cuts to the hoop," said BYU's Kyle Collinsworth. "So it is just about being more aware of our own guy and just being focused. Because they got a lot of open shots."

When BYU joined the WCC in 2011, Gonzaga was supposed to be its biggest hurdle to a conference championship. But Saint Mary's has been just as difficult to beat; the Cougars are just 2-5 against the Gaels in WCC games. They are 2-7 against Gonzaga, including two tournament losses.

Rose and Collinsworth said they knew SMC would be tough because in 2010-11, the season BYU went to the Sweet 16, they barely beat the Gaels, 74-73, at the South Padre Island Invitational.

"And I've watched them growing up," Collinsworth said. "We used to watch Gonzaga and Adam Morrison, and we always watched Saint Mary's, too. They have always been good. They get good players, and they are a tough team."

This year, they are tough and experienced, with Waldow averaging 20 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. The only other returning starter, fifth-year senior Kerry Carter, averages 12.4 points per game.

Waldow is an especially tough matchup for BYU, which doesn't have an answer inside for the 6-foot-10 bruiser with soft hands and a nice shooting touch.

"He is not only really skilled, but he is also really smart," Rose said. "You can't just double-team him, because he can split double teams and he's really strong and he's a really good passer out of the post. We have to mix things up and throw different things at him, different personnel at him."

Rose said senior Nate Austin, who tore his hamstring before the Utah game on Dec. 10, is finished for the season and will explore the possibility of getting the year back from the NCAA. Starting guard Anson Winder is questionable with a groin injury that limited him to just six minutes in Saturday's 87-68 win over Loyola Marymount.

"He did very little in practice this week, and we were hoping he would feel better today, but he is still pretty sore," Rose said.

Twitter: @drewjay —

BYU vs. Saint Mary's

At the Marriott Center, Provo

Tipoff • 7 p.m.

TV • ESPN2

Radio • 1160 AM/102.7 FM

Records • BYU 18-8, 8-5 WCC; SMC 18-5, 10-2

Series • BYU leads, 10-7

Last Meeting • SMC 82, BYU 77 (Jan. 17)

About the Gaels • They are in second place in the WCC and coming off a 73-58 win over Pacific at home. … Senior C Brad Waldow is second in the league in scoring at 20 points per game and leads the WCC in rebounding (9.4 rpg). … Senior G Kerry Carter is second on the team in scoring, with a 12.4 average.

About the Cougars • They are coming off an 87-68 win over Loyola Marymount in which junior G Kyle Collinsworth recorded his fifth triple-double of the season. … They lead the nation in scoring, at 84.9 ppg, and have scored 90 or more points 10 times. … Senior G Tyler Haws needs 69 points to move into a tie with Jimmer Fredette on the school's all-time scoring list. -

BYU's games with Saint Mary's in the WCC

Date Location Result

Dec. 29, 2011 Moraga SMC 96, BYU 82

Jan. 28, 2012 Provo SMC 80, BYU 66

Jan. 16, 2013 Provo SMC 70, BYU 69

Feb. 21, 2013 Moraga SMC 64, BYU 57

Feb. 1, 2014 Provo BYU 84, SMC 71

Feb. 15, 2014 Moraga BYU 60, SMC 57

Jan. 17, 2015 Moraga SMC 82, BYU 77