Let the hype begin for SDSU-BYU showdown

The latest polls declared Wednesday’s BYU-San Diego State game officially a Top 10 showdown, which means you’ll be reading plenty about the Mountain West’s two best teams in the next 55 hours.

I’m more than happy to do my part. (Like this.)

This Deseret News article by Greg Wrubell includes roughly 20 comparisons and tidbits comparing the No. 4 Aztecs and the No. 9 Cougars, most of which relate to stats and style of play.

(Warning to John Gasaway: Wrubell references rebound margin, then follows it with SDSU’s impressive offensive rebound percentage. Trying to straddle the tempo-free fence, I guess.)

Best random nugget? San Diego State hasn’t lost a MWC game since last season at BYU. While the Cougars entered last season’s game at 19-1, and emerged with a 20-1 mark. They could match that this season.

However, the most crucial factoid is this:

In five MWC games, BYU leads the conference, shooting 80 percent from the stripe. SDSU ranks last, at 61 percent. So far in league play, BYU has taken 123 free throws and made 98; the Aztecs have attempted 86 freebies, converting 52.

BYU’s at home, a place MWC opponents hate to play because they usually receive a fair amount of calls. If they’re on the free-throw line all night, it could be a long evening for SDSU.

Want more? I’m also on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.