BYU basketball: Cougars gearing up for critical game vs. Gonzaga

Gonzaga is led by freshman guard Kevin Pangos, who averages 13.3 points per game. The Bulldogs are also strong in the front court, with forward Elias Harris (13.7 ppg) and center Robert Sacre (11.6 ppg).

The Cougars are mired in an abysmal 3-point shooting slump, having made just 11 of their last 73 attempts from 3-point territory. That's something BYU must fix in a hurry.

"Right now we're not shooting the ball as well as we have other times during the year," Rose said. "And it's not just one guy. It's two or three guys that are struggling. We need to get confident and start hitting shots. I'm really proud of the fact that we've found a way to win a couple of games mired in a tough offensive slump. We'll keep pushing forward and hopefully we can keep getting better each day."

Can the Cougars make a big push toward the NCAA Tournament in the last month of the season?

"We're not worried. We still have a lot of confidence in our team," Abouo said. "But we have to change some things right away. We definitely have to play better. As players, we have to do a better job out there on the court — make more shots and get more stops. It's really on us. This is a big game and there are big games left to play."

Email: jeffc@desnews.com

Cougars on the air

No. 24 Gonzaga (17-3, 7-1)

at BYU (18-6, 6-3)

Today, 9 p.m., MST

Marriott Center, Provo

TV: ESPN2

Radio: 1160 AM, 102.7 FMT-Birds on the air

Southern Utah (12-10, 7-5)

at North Dakota St. (14-7, 7-4)

Today, 6 p.m., MST

Bison Sports Arena, Fargo, N.D.

TV: none Radio: 91.1 FMWolverines on the air

Utah Valley (13-10, 3-0)

at Texas-Pan American (7-16, 2-1)

Today, 6 p.m., MST

UTPA Fieldhouse, Edinburg, Texas

TV: none Radio: 960 AMHeady goes here

TextT-birds on the air

Southern Utah (12-10, 7-5)

at North Dakota St. (14-7, 7-4)

Today, 6 p.m., MST

Bison Sports Arena, Fargo, N.D.

TV: none Radio: 91.1 FM