BYU’s junior forward is the Cougars best offensive option in the post. Even at an undersized 6-foot-6, Traore’s strength and touch around the basket makes him difficult to defend. He’s averaged 11 points per game in three seasons and shoots nearly 60% from the field.

Traore passed a big test on the other end of the court in last Friday’s 74-65 upset of No. 17 San Diego State. His main assignment was guarding 6-10 Jaedon LeDee, one of the west’s premier big men. LeDee still managed 21 points on Friday but Traore and his teammates made him work for ever basket.

“I can’t say enough about Fous’s performance,” BYU sophomore guard Dallin Hall said. “Offensively he was great and got to his spots, but defensively that dude was incredible tonight.”

LeDee scored 23 points in last year’s 82-75 Aztecs victory against the Cougars and tallied 27 in his team’s opening victory against Fullerton last week.

Traore said the coaching staff prepared him for what he would face.

“For two days straight the coaches were talking to me,” Traore said. “They said, ‘That guy wants to come and take your life.’ But I’m ready for that. It was physical, but I like it.”

“This LeDee, he is going to terrorize basketball this year,” BYU coach Mark Pope said. “We watched this Fullerton game like five times, watching him just abuse everybody. He’s a physical specimen, he has an elite motor, great hands and he’s really skilled. How do we possibly deal with him? Fous was unbelievable tonight with his effort, his energy, his physicality and his work in the combat zone. I thought Fous got us started in that physical arena and the other guys followed suit.”

That physical effort also showed up in the rebounding battle, where the Cougars topped the Aztecs 42-32.

“I’ll bet there were five or less possessions where we didn’t have five guys in the paint for every defensive rebound,” Pope said. “That’s how we have to rebound. Very few teams in the country this year can outrebound San Diego State by 10. It’s not going to happen very often so I’m really proud of our guys’ effort on both sides of the glass.

“We’re not going to beat guys one-on-one on the glass but we can beat give 5 or 4, 5 on 3 or 5 on 2. Our guys’ commitment to get to the glass on both sides of the ball was unbelievable.”

SCOUTING REPORT

BYU’s next opponent is Southeastern Louisiana, which was picked to win the Southland Conference by just two votes over McNeese State. The Lions were 18-14 last season under fifth-year coach David Kiefer. Junior guard Roger McFarland (6-5) averaged 12.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season and scored 24 points in Southeastern Louisiana’s 86-71 loss to Auburn last week. Nick Caldwell (6-7 Sr.) averaged 11.1 points per game last season and was a second team All-Southland selection.

The Cougars are hoping the San Diego State win is just the beginning of good things in the preseason.

“The win feels nice,” Traore said. “We’ve just got to stay locked in and always keep up the good work. We need to stay focused and keep winning.”