TCU vs BYU Pick & Prediction: Cougars to Cover?

KenPom ranks the Big 12 as the strongest conference in the nation, and this matchup is a testament as to why. The 19-9 TCU Horned Frogs are set to travel to Provo, Utah, where the 20-8 BYU Cougars will be anxiously waiting.

The Horned Frogs are coming off a tough loss against Baylor, but have held their own in Big 12 play overall. Their opponents tonight present a unique challenge, and this matchup could be TCU's final test before the postseason.

The BYU Cougars are a team to watch out for later this month. They have shown they can take down the Big 12's best, as they most recently beat Kansas on the road. However, it remains to be seen if they can keep the ball rolling.

What you'll notice immediately in this matchup is a stark contrast of offensive attacks. The Horned Frogs want to work the ball inside and get the best look possible. However, they do so with tempo.

Their dynamic backcourt of Micah Peavy and Jameer Nelson Jr. set the tone for the offense by generating motion and penetrating off high screens.

Those high screens are typically set by the Horned Frogs' leading scorer, Emanuel Miller. He has proven to be a threat from all three levels, but it will be interesting to see how he and the rest of the Horned Frogs contend with the Cougars' size.

BYU not only has two rim protectors, but its backcourt is much bigger than TCU's. Getting inside on BYU has been no easy task as just 28% of the points it has allowed this season have come in the paint.

Heading down to the other end of the court, the Cougars will unleash a barrage of 3s. BYU is fourth nationally in 3-point attempts to field goal attempts ratio. In fact, 3s have accounted for over 41% of BYU's offense.

However, despite BYU's tendency to let it fly from downtown, the Cougars are also very efficient from inside the arc. The Cougars are seventh in 2-point percentage, so it's safe to say they present many problems for opposing defenses.

The Cougars project to have plenty of success offensively as the Horned Frogs are average average on defense at all three levels.

We've seen the market come in early on the Cougars — which is warranted.

The Cougars boast an electric offense and their ability to punish teams from anywhere on the court makes them tough to defend.

The Horned Frogs are nothing to scoff at, but they don't have the size to execute inside, which will be a detriment in this game.

Back BYU to cover the spread.

Pick: BYU -5.5  (Play to -6.5)