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Provo • BYU got off to a good start on both ends of the floor a week ago against Pepperdine, scoring on six of its first seven possessions and forcing the Waves into a couple of turnovers, three missed shots and a lane violation.
Then freshman Yoeli Childs picked up his second foul going after a rebound with 15:53 remaining in the half — his first foul came 44 seconds into the game — and the Cougars went into a freefall with seven straight empty possessions with Childs on the bench. Pepperdine zoomed out to a 20-11 lead and the Cougars never got the advantage back as the Waves won easily, 99-83.
Two days later, Childs said he didn't ask for rebounds or to play well in his customary pregame prayer before the Cougars faced San Francisco.
"I said, 'Please let me play as hard as I can and not get fouls,' " Childs told reporters after his best game as a collegian — 23 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks, a steal and zero fouls in 39 minutes — in BYU's 68-52 win over the Dons.
The Cougars (18-9, 9-5) will try to hold onto third place in the West Coast Conference Thursday against San Diego (11-15, 4-10) at the Marriott Center and get some revenge for that 88-75 loss to the Toreros on Jan. 14 at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
It shouldn't be a problem if BYU's stars stay out of foul trouble.
Childs and Eric Mika "are two of the best rebounders and scorers in the league, and we need them on the floor as much as possible," coach Dave Rose said. "It's a big deal."
When they stay out of foul trouble, the Cougars are tough to beat. When any of the starters spend lengthy stretches of time on the bench, they can lose to almost anybody.
Lack of depth and production from their reserves is a serious issue for the Cougars, who have lost starters Kyle Davis and L.J. Rose to knee injuries and saw several would-be contributors transfer, quit or go on missions last summer.
BYU is 7-1 when Childs plays 30 minutes or more, 6-0 the past six times he's played more than three-fourths of a game. The Bingham High product has averaged 26.7 minutes in the Cougars' 18 wins, 22.0 minutes in their nine losses.
The numbers when Mika battles foul trouble are similar, but not as pronounced. Mika has committed a team-high 78 fouls, while guard Nick Emery is second with 77, Childs is third with 66 and TJ Haws is fourth with 58.
"Overall, it has been a tricky year" adjusting to how officials are calling fouls, Mika said. "The important thing is that whatever it takes, find a way to stay out there. I think I've been able to do that, minus last weekend. Now I've got to keep doing it."
Mika has committed a foul every 9.6 minutes, Childs every 10.2 minutes.
BYU's foul trouble definitely contributed to the upset loss at USD a month ago; Nick Emery played 24 minutes and scored eight points after picking up two quick fouls, and Childs fouled out in 23 minutes with six points and three rebounds.
His ability to rebound has been as good as prep coaches promised it would be. Among freshmen, Childs (8.6) is the second-leading rebounder in the country, trailing only UCLA's T.J. Leaf (8.8).
Either way, Childs probably won't catch Leaf for that unofficial honor. But if he doesn't avoid foul trouble, he won't have a prayer.
Twitter: @drewjay —
BYU vs. San Diego
P At the Marriott Center, Provo
Tipoff • 9 p.m.
TV • ESPNU
Radio • 1160 AM, 102.7 FM, Sirius XM 143
Records • BYU (18-9, 9-5 WCC), San Diego (11-15, 4-10 WCC)
Series history • BYU leads 11-4
Last meeting • San Diego 88, BYU 75 (Jan. 14)
About the Toreros • They have lost four straight games, including an 65-60 setback to Pepperdine at home last Saturday. … They are led in scoring by senior forward Brett Bailey (15.9 ppg.). … Olin Carter III scored 28 points and Cameron Neubauer added 22 in their win last month that snapped a three-game losing streak to BYU.
About the Cougars • Freshman guard TJ Haws is now the second-leading scorer on the team with a 14.4 average. … Eric Mika has scored in double figures every game this season and is second in the WCC with a 20.2 average. ... They are 6-0 against San Diego all-time in Provo.