BYU wanted to search out a good opponent to play during the men's basketball exhibition schedule.

It likely found one in Georgetown College, an NAIA school from Kentucky which is ranked sixth in the preseason rankings and nearly pulled off an incredible upset.

The matchup takes place at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Marriott Center.

Playing at Louisville on Nov. 1, Georgetown lost 74-67 after having the score within a basket in the final minute.

The Cardinals, coached by Rick Pitino, are short on experience but high on potential -- ranked No. 3 to start the Division I season.

"They run a really successful program and one of coach (Dave) Rose's philosophies is to schedule as tough as we possibly can during the exhibition season," associate head coach Dave Rice said of Georgetown.

Rice was an aide at UNLV when he became acquainted with longtime Georgetown coach Happy Osborne, who guided a 35-1 record last season and went to the national semifinals.

The team returns a few key cogs of that run, including seniors Demetrius Guions and David Graham, who are each in the 6-foot-4 range and lead what the Tigers like to do -- namely rebound strong and guard with tough defensive pressure.

"They have really good athletes," Rice said.

The legendary Pitino would concur. There were 10 lead changes in his game.

"This was an excellent exhibition for us, it told us exactly where we are and what we need to work on," he said after the close call. "Georgetown deserves a great deal of credit. They're more advanced, but we have much more talent then they do. They are much more advanced than us from an execution stand point because we've had to spend so much time developing these freshmen, because they have to play a lot."

BYU won its first exhibition last Thursday against over-matched Concordia, a school in Montreal, Canada, whose coach apologized to Rose after the 96-54 outcome.

The Cougars should get a better test, though perhaps differing issues with health. Sophomore returned missionary Jackson Emery, who missed the first game with flu-like symptoms, is expected to play. However, the leading scorer from that game, Jimmer Fredette, left Monday's practice early with what Rice said was a tweaked ankle. His status may be determined at tipoff.

Mike Loyd Jr. could miss his second game with a continuing shoulder injury.

This is the last game that doesn't count in the standings before the Cougars bring in Long Beach State on Friday.