PROVO — BYU's first game in two weeks after a run of COVID-inspired postponements was a punch in the mouth — both figuratively and literally, at least to some extent.
After the first three games of West Coast Conference play were called off due to COVID-19 related issues in a trio of California schools, the Cougars volunteered — neigh, dang near pleaded — to play anyone, any time, any place to open conference play.
Be careful what you wish for — top-ranked Gonzaga loomed in Spokane, a date moved up from February to accommodate a shifting schedule as many have grown to expect in college basketball.