So how will the BYU men’s basketball team change this week?

Due to injuries and sickness, the Cougars have been in the process of remaking their lineup. Last week resulted in a disappointing loss at Utah Valley followed by a rugged road win at Missouri State.

BYU should get senior swingman Gideon George back after he missed last week battling through the flu.

“Gideon practiced a little bit on Monday and practiced full on Tuesday,” Cougar coach Mark Pope said. “He lost about 12 pounds over the course of the week. Spencer Johnson is the one with the opportunity to beat Gideon in an arm wrestling match now. But Gideon is on the recovery trail. It will take some time for his body and mind to get right.”

Pope admitted that his team is still adjusting to changes in the lineup, especially with big man Gavin Baxter now lost for the season due to an ACL injury and Richard Harward still unavailable because of a cardiovascular issue.

“We’re retooling ourselves, we’ll figure it out,” Pope said. “These guys are winners. They know how to fight, compete and win. We’re approaching the game a little bit different right now.”

Pope mentioned a few specifics that will help the Cougars in the transition, including smaller lineups, earning better shots, using a quicker pace, more switching and bringing a second player to the ball more often on defense.

One player who saw more action on Saturday was 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Hunter Erickson. The former Timpview standout played a total of 12 minutes in the first seven games of the season but handled 14 minutes against Missouri State. His stat line – 0-for-2 shooting, four fouls and two turnovers – won’t turn any heads. But Pope said he was pleased with what Erickson did on the court.

“I was super proud of Hunt,” Pope said. “One of the hardest things in sports is just staying ready. Hunter has been in the process of staying ready for a year and a half. He comes to fight every day in practice. He’s a really good player who’s barely on the cusp of being in the rotation heavy or being in it light. It was a tribute to him that he was ready to step into a hostile environment in a desperate moment for our team and be super solid.”

Erickson averaged 22.6 points per game and made 55 3-pointers during his senior season in 2017-18 at Timpview, earning a reputation as a very athletic, slashing guard. He served a church mission to Charlotte, N.C., before returning to Provo last season.

“Hunter is a really talented player,” BYU’s Alex Barcello said. “He can shoot the ball well and make floaters. He can really help us on the defensive end. He was able to come in and perform his role. I don’t know if he got a steal but he was able to stay in front of his guy and protect the middle. I was happy with the minutes he got and I’m looking forward to watching his career.”

Scouting Report

Utah State is 6-2 this season, having won the Myrtle Beach Invitational with wins against Penn (87-79 OT), New Mexico State (85-58) and Oklahoma (73-70). The Aggies losses were at home against UC Davis (72-69) on Nov. 9 and last Thursday in the Spectrum against Saint Mary’s (60-58).

Senior forward Justin Bean has become Utah State’s go-to player, averaging 22.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game while shooting 66% from the floor.

“A week ago I would have said, ‘Bring it on,'” Pope said. “Now we’re probably not going to get any rebounds. We need to win in a different way. Justin Bean just punishes people. It’s going to be a massive challenge. He’s one of the most savvy players in the country and has one of the highest motors.”

The Aggies will be BYU’s third in-state opponent in the past four games.

“Every single game for us is such desperation,” Pope said. “We probably took a breath with Central Methodist, but look what Texas Southern did last night at Florida. Every team we’ve played has either been an NCAA team or an in-state game, which is essentially the same. I don’t know how we’re going to prepare any harder for Utah State than we did for Missouri State, but we have to find way to compete.”

The Cougars are ranked No. 24 this week and are rated in the Top 25 in just about every other metric, including the NET rankings.

“We’re earning our way for sure,” Pope said. “This has been a brutal schedule.”

Men’s College Basketball

Utah State (6-2) at No. 24 BYU (7-1)

Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Marriott Center, Provo

TV: BYUtv

Radio: KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM, Sirius XM 143/BYU radio app

Live stats: byucougars.com

The Word: BYU leads the overall series with Utah State 143-92. … The Cougars have won nine in a row in the series. … BYU won last year’s meeting 67-62 in Logan. … The last Aggies win was in 2011 at Logan. … The Cougars are third in the country in 3-point field goal percentage defense (23.4%).

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