Alex Barcello’s Final Game In The Marriott Center Among Observations In BYU Win

PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team won their final regular season game against the Pepperdine Waves 75-59.

Freshman Fousseyni Traore stole the show on senior night scoring 25 points making nine of his 10 field goals.

Traore also broke a freshman record for rebounds in a game hauling in 19.

Fousseyni Traore sets the #BYU freshman record for rebounds in a game with 19. Trent Plaisted previously held the record with 18 rebounds in 2006. #BYUHoops #GoCougs

— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) February 27, 2022

Here are my observations from the final home game in the 2021-2022 season.

1. Alex Barcello’s final game in the Marriott Center

Four seniors were honored on senior night, but none more important than Barcello.

Head coach Mark Pope hasn’t won a game at BYU without him, think about that.

He’s taken on a new role every season with the Cougars.

Offensive plays weren’t called for Barcello in his first season playing alongside Yoeli
Childs and T.J. Haws.

Fast forward two seasons and Barcello has become a reliable scorer for BYU because of his efficiency.

Barcello made his 78th three-point shot of the season, which moved him into the top 10 list for makes in a single season.

Alex Barcello knocks down his 78th 3-pointer of the season, the 10th most in a single season in program history.#BYUHoops @BYUMBB

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) February 27, 2022

If there is any criticism of his game, it’s that you’d like to see him attempt more shots as he only took 11.

It’s going to be interesting next season to see how Coach Pope handles the guard position for the first time at BYU without Barcello.

Big shoes to fill for whoever is the next point guard for the Cougars because of the impact he’s had on this program.

2. BYU basketball pick-and-roll

For two games in a row, we’ve seen Alex Barcello find Atiki Ally Atiki in the pick-and-roll for a wide open dunk.

It’s remarkable how far he’s developed since being thrust into action after the injury to Gavin Baxter.

I’d like to see more pick-and-roll with Atiki Ally Atiki and AB.

Atiki is done a great job slipping screen and AB has found him a few times for dunks. @kslsports #BYU

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) February 27, 2022

Most importantly, he’s done a great job as a shot blocker, and now we are seeing his offensive skills develop.

It’s exciting to think about the future of BYU hoops in the Big 12 thanks to the emergence of Atiki and Traore.

3. Alex Barcello playing to the crowd

It was a struggle for the most of the game for BYU against an under-manned Pepperdine squad.

With 11:18 remaining in the game, Barcello drilled a beautiful step back three-point shot that got the crowd on their feet.

Barcello immediately walked towards the student section to further rile up the crowd.

He pointed to his wrist several times, similar to what NBA star Damian Lillard does in clutch moments.

I firmly believe that Alex Barcello is one of the great BYU guards to ever wear the blue and white.

You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter here.