<
>
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Get ESPN+

BYU ready to challenge Gonzaga

BYU Cougars

2013-14 record: 23-11 (13-5 WCC)
In-conference offense: 1.15 points per possession (1st)
In-conference defense: 1.06 points allowed per possession (3rd)

BYU coach Dave Rose understands why so many are picking Gonzaga as the West Coast Conference champion. After all, the Bulldogs add both a talented recruiting class and three key transfers to an already experienced team that won the league in 2013-14.

But he's not ready to hand over the hardware just yet.

"I think this year should be a fun year for us," Rose said. "We have five seniors, and last year we played with no seniors at all. Three of those five guys are fifth-year guys too, so we have good experience.

"Our roster is probably as strong as it's been in a while from top to bottom."