Brigham Young @ Alabama preview

Collin Sexton was billed as a difference-maker for Alabama and he appears intent on making that moniker ring true. The freshman guard looks for his fourth consecutive 20-point outing when the Crimson Tide face Brigham Young on Friday in the semifinals of the Barclays Center Classic - this game being played on the campus of LIU-Brooklyn.

Sexton is averaging 25.3 points after pouring in 29 in Tuesday's too-close 77-76 victory over Texas-Arlington and is enjoying a good start to what is expected to be his lone college campaign. "Since I'm out there, I might as well do something while I'm out there," Sexton said after the victory. "Every time I step on the court, I have to give my all." Alabama let a late seven-point lead turn into a tie before prevailing against UT Arlington and should be tested by a BYU squad that actually did lose to the Mavericks (89-75 last Saturday). Cougars junior guard Elijah Bryant has recorded three 20-point outings despite being hampered by a sore right foot.

TV: 2:30 p.m. ET, Facebook Live

ABOUT BYU (3-1): Bryant is averaging a team-best 21.5 points and has knocked down 30-of-33 free throws over the past three games. Sophomore forward Yoeli Childs is contributing 13.5 points and a team-best 7.8 rebounds while sophomore guard TJ Haws is averaging 13.3 points and has made at least one 3-pointer in 20 consecutive games. Getting to the free-throw line is crucial for the Cougars, who have made 40 more foul shots than their opponents through the first four games.

ABOUT ALABAMA (4-0): Sexton is shooting 63.4 percent from the field and is also averaging a team-best 4.7 assists. Freshman guard John Petty is averaging 15.8 points and has made a team-high 17 3-pointers while sophomore guard Dazon Ingram is averaging 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. Senior swingman Riley Norris, a two-year starter, made his season debut against UT Arlington after being sidelined due to a hip injury and contributed five points in 15 minutes off the bench.

TIP-INS

1. Alabama won the lone previous meeting, 77-74 during the 1957-58 season.

2. Bryant scored 22 points and Childs had 21 as the Cougars defeated Niagara 95-88 on Tuesday.

3. Crimson Tide junior PF Donta Hall is averaging 9.3 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting superbly (81.8 percent) and playing stellar defense (12 blocked shots).

PREDICTION: Alabama 82, BYU 77