BYU’s Yoeli Childs will test Gonzaga’s interior defense
![BYU forward Yoeli Childs attempts a shot against Saint Mary’s Kyle Clark in the WCC Tournament last March. (John Locher / Associated Press)](https://thumb.spokesman.com/JWEo3C2NR0Hh-hBp41p40Rs8XUE=/1200x800/smart/media.spokesman.com/photos/2017/03/06/C_BYU_Saint_Marys_Basketball.JPG.jpg)
If one removes heavy favorite Jock Landale from WCC player of the year consideration, next in line just might be BYU forward Yoeli Childs.
Childs is an agile, athletic 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward who has made a huge jump from his freshman season. He’s scored in double figures in every game this season. He has 11 double-doubles.
Johnathan Williams will probably guard Childs and the Zag senior is coming off a similar assignment against versatile San Diego forward Isaiah Pineiro. Childs, who can play the ‘4’ or ‘5’, makes 54 percent of his shots and gets to the free-throw line almost six times per game. Childs doesn’t shoot many 3s, but he’s effective from the mid-range and with one- or two-bounce post moves.
The Zags will likely mix up coverages, but it’ll be interesting to see how often they choose to double-team Childs.