The Cougars are preparing for what many experts say might be the most exciting bowl game outside the playoffs when they meet Colorado for the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Dec. 28.
Here is Dave McCann’s breakdown of how this game will feature strength against strength in this matchup of two Big 12 teams that did not meet in the regular season.
This game could take on historic proportions, as reported by McCann in this piece.
Special Collector’s Issue: “1984: The Year BYU was Second to None”
Get an inclusive look inside BYU Football’s 1984 National Championship season.
Question of the week
What has BYU basketball showed through 10 games or one-third of the season? What stands out?
Jay Drew: With almost one-third of the season in the books, this BYU basketball team is a little bit better than I expected it to be. The Cougars have come together fairly well, developing some chemistry that should serve them well down the stretch in the Big 12.
Coach Kevin Young has delivered, so far. The Cougars have battled a few injuries, shown some outstanding depth, and gradually improved through 10 nonconference games. They could easily be 9-1 instead of 8-2, had they played a bit better against No. 23 Ole Miss down the stretch in that overtime loss in San Diego. That they lost at Providence College isn’t a big surprise, although the margin of the loss was a bit troubling. BYU’s defense failed to travel that night.
The Cougars’ defense has gotten better, after it looked suspect in the early going in wins over UC Riverside and Idaho. Freshman Egor Demin has been the real deal, for the most part. The other highly touted freshman, Kanon Catchings, has shown flashes of brilliance, but at this point is not playing like a one-and-done type of guy who will go in the first round of the NBA draft next summer. Time will tell.
Young promised an outstanding rebounding team when he got the job last April, and on that, he has delivered. Keba Keita, Catchings, Fousseyni Traore and company have been monsters on the glass, and lead the country in defensive rebounding. That will be huge in the rough and rugged Big 12.
Dick Harmon: I’ve been impressed with this BYU team after 10 games, primarily because it is a squad still working on chemistry and roles. It has had to deal with some injuries (Dallin Hall, Egor Demin, Richie Saunders), yet they are 9-2.
What we’ve seen is solid depth and versatility in its roster. The Cougars are also a nationally-ranked (No. 3) rebounding squad that can hit the 3, get to the basket and is improving on defense, particularly with guarding the 3-point line. This team is not what it will be in mid-January when the learning process matures.
I like that Demin and Hall can take charge, but that Dawson Baker can also come off the bench and take the lead, get to the rim, make mid-range jumpers and hit the 3. Trevin Knell is on the cusp of having an outstanding shooting year and we haven’t seen the best of Kanon Catchings. To have a tandem like Fouss Traore and Keba Keita inside the paint for post plays and lobs gives the Cougars a rare athletic presence. Saunders, to me, remains the most energetic, playmaking dynamo on the team and Cougar depth got another spark when Mawot Mag displayed bright moments in extended minutes against Wyoming.
The Big 12 will bring an entirely different challenge for Kevin Young. Road trips will be brutal and tough and the home games will feature a lot of passion and emotion, where anything can happen. This team did not react well at Providence on its first true road trip, where they were met with physical play. While the Cougars struggled early with free throws, they’ve increased the make rate; where they’ve struggled by design to guard 3-point shooters, they’ve improved on closing out and forcing the ball out of the paint. In short, Young has the team on track, but progress will continue to be needed.
Cougar tales
In basketball, BYU’s men dispatched Wyoming in Salt Lake City and the women beat Washington State decisively on the road this past week. Nation’s No. 1 recruit who signed with BYU attended a Jazz game and connected with Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant. Here’s what AJ Dybantsa said about his latest interaction on the court in a game in Lehi. What would a BYU roster look like with Dybantsa next year?
From the archives
From the X-verse
Extra points
Fanalysts
Comments from Deseret News readers:
I feel like BYU has the most amazing talent I’ve ever seen in Provo, but they’re missing something that the Danny Ainge and Michael Smith teams had and it’s that everyone wants to be a star trying to get to the NBA. The team needs to play more cohesively and know their roles. Then they will slaughter teams this year.
— Friendly_Skies
I had the honor to work with this great group 71-74 seasons as a student trainer.
Rivera was known for his devotion to the great team and sport. He was respected by all of us.
Thank you for this report.
BYU built boys into men and champions.
One part of this were our mentors from LaVell to Floyd and Marv and Rod — true Saints that taught us Brotherhood and care … added with humor. We owe so much to them RIP our friends. TRUE BLUE FOREVER.
— Across the Sea
Up next
- Dec. 20 | 1 p.m. MST | Swimming and diving | Arizona | @ Tucson, Arizona
- Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. MST | Men’s basketball | Florida A&M | @ Provo
- Dec. 21 | 2 p.m. MST | Women’s basketball | Arizona | @ Provo
- Dec. 28 | 5:30 p.m. MST | Football | Alamo Bowl | Colorado | @ San Antonio, Texas
