BYU was on a bad downward trend. They had lost 3 in a row going into last nights game vs Oklahoma St. Last nights game was a test for BYU. BYU was getting kicked down and needed something to bring them back up.
Game Recap vs TCU
This was a very winnable game for BYU. Playing a Big 12 game on the road is never easy, no matter who you play. This game vs TCU was a tossup. BYU was favored by 2 or 3 points and ESPN Analytics had BYU winning by 50.2%. The real game was back and forth and no team led more than 10. What hurt BYU the most this game was their turnovers. They had 16 compared to TCUs 6. Because of that, TCU had 17 points off of turnovers compared to BYU’s 6 points off turnovers.
Team Stats
Overall, BYU shot better than TCU. BYU shot 48% from the field and 38% from 3. They also out rebounded TCU and had a +11 rebound margin. Looking at that, you probably think BYU should have won the game. But again, down the stretch, BYU panicked. It was the same story last year. Our players just dont have a lot composure or flow when we get to crunch time.
BYU was tied with TCU with 1:15 left. In the next 45 seconds of game time, Demin missed a layup, Saunders turned the ball over, and Fouss missed a floater. TCU then made a layup thanks to no help defense by BYU. On the next possession, BYU was all over the place. The shot clock was winding down, and Demin chucked up a desperate 3 that was off and BYU lost the game after TCU made 2 more FTs. It was a sad ending. BYU was ahead with 2 minutes left and tied with 1 minute left. They just let it slip through their fingers. Some crucial plays down the stretch like Saunders turnover and Demins desperate 3 doomed BYU.
Box Score
BYU had a lot of turnovers and ultimately thats what caused BYU to lose. Saunders had a great game, but he did have a crucial turnover at the end. Saunders had 2 turnovers, Catchings had 2 turnovers, Demin had 4 turnovers, Knell had 2 turnovers, and Baker had 2 turnovers. That many guys cant have multiple turnovers, especially the older, veteran guys like Saunders, Knell, and Baker. BYU has to clean up the turnovers in order for them to win.
Saunders led the team with 26 points. He has started to be BYU’s go to guy late in the game. One thing that I have noticed this year is his 3 point shooting and release. His release has sped up and he is shooting at 43% from 3 this year so far. His first season he shot 33% and last year he shot 36%. He has increased his percentage each year, and this year, has been the biggest jump so far. He is only a Junior and will come back next year if he doesnt get any professional interest from NBA or overseas.
No one else scored more than 8 points. It was bad. BYU turned the ball over a lot which took away a lot of possessions to help BYU score. I was a little mad that Kanon Catchings only played 9 minutes in this game. But he turned the ball over a lot and so I think that is why. But 9 minutes is not enough for this guy. Especially when Knell or Baker dont particularly have great games. Knell shot 1-5 from 3, had 2 turnovers, and was getting beat on defense. Baker was 1-3 from 3 and also had 2 turnovers. I just think a little more time should have been given to Catchings.
Game Recap vs Oklahoma St
Fast forward to last nights game, at home, and everything seemed to turn around for BYU. Turnovers were still a little high at 14, but they also forced a lot of turnovers, as the Cowboys had 13. The difference in this game was that BYU shot lights out. They were 52% overall from the field and 43% from 3. They also had a +12 rebound margin.
Box Score
BYU led by as much as 27 points in this game but ended up winning by 16. Oklahoma St did cut the lead to 3 at one point in the second half but BYU responded really well. They were tough, physical, and gritty. Demin started to take over the game and helped BYU never look back. I hope this game helped fuel Demins fire. We need him to start to get going. Demin almost had a double double. He had 10 points and 8 assists. Knell led the team in scoring with 16 points, followed by Hall with 14.
There were still some turnovers problems with. Demin, Saunders, and Hall all having 3 turnovers each. We cant have our 3 best players all have 3 turnovers. Luckily, we also played great defense and forced a ton of turnovers.
Defensive Improvement
BYU’s defense was much better this game. They switched it up a lot from man to man to zone and it through off Oklahoma St’s offense. They had to go back and forth in their offense on what to run. I also thought BYU did much better of getting their hands in the passing lanes. They got a lot of deflected passes and steals.
Game Preview vs Utah
BYU plays Utah in Salt Lake this Saturday at 7pm MT on ESPN+. This is going to be a tough game. Its close to being a Quad 1 game for BYU as Utah is close to being in the top 75 for NET. Utah is 1-3 in the Big 12 but could have the same record as BYU if they knock off TCU tonight. The Utes started off slow in the Big 12 but they have been in most of their games. Utah plays tonight vs TCU so it will be a good measuring stick to see what they do. They also beat Oklahoma St in Salt Lake by 21.
Utah is the opposite of BYU in terms of how they play. In their last game against Oklahoma St they only shot 15 3s. They are a big inside time. For reference, BYU, last night, shot 28. Utah is pretty spread out in terms of scoring, so it makes them hard to defend and focus on a couple of guys.
Utah has a couple of guys that BYU will be familiar with. Gabe Madsen has been anchoring the Utah team for the past couple of years. He keeps the offense flowing. You may be familiar with Jake Wahlin. He was committed to BYU and then decided to commit to Utah when Mark Pope left for the Kentucky job. He had a break out game last game against Oklahoma St. Ezra Ausar is a big bodied forward. He averages double digits in points and 5 rebounds a game. Keanu Dawes is another forward who is active in the paint. He will be a big guy to watch.
Prediction
If BYU can keep their momentum from last nights game, BYU has a shot to win this game. BYU does not usually do well on the road. But if they can limit their turnovers and shoot well enough from the field, they can win this game. ESPN Analytics is basically a toss up as they have BYU winning this game by 50.7%. I also think BYU has to limit the damage from Madsen. He usually goes off against BYU. I think BYU wins this game by 3 points. 70-67 as Madsen misses a game tying 3 as time expires.
Game Preview vs Colorado
BYU then heads to Boulder to take on Colorado on the road. That game is next Tuesday at 9pm MT on ESPNU. Colorado is 0-4 in the Big 12. They havent played the toughest teams yet either, losing to UCF and Arizona St, among others. Colorado is similar to Utah in that they dont shoot a lot of 3s. In their last game against UCF, they only shot 13. Mostly why they are 0-4 in the Big 12 is because they turn the ball over, A LOT. In their last game, they had 22 turnovers.
Colorado has a couple of guys who really anchor this team. They are Andrej Jakimovski and Julian Hammond. Hammond is the go to guy. He is a guard who can shoot the 3, draw fouls, and get into the lane. Hammond averages 14 points a game as well as 4 assists. He had 26 points in the last game with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He makes this team go. Jakimovski is a big man forward who also can shoot the 3. He made 4 threes in the last game. He is not very quick or agile but long, so BYU will need to move him around on defense.
Prediction
This game is on the road for BYU and will be the second road game in a row, making it a little harder. Anything can happen when you play on the road, especially in the Big 12. But I expect BYU to come out a little slow and then turn it on late. ESPN Analytics gives BYU a 66.3% chance to win the game. If BYU can win these next two road games, they will have won 3 in a row and will be right back on the March Madness bubble. BYU wins by 6, 72-66.
BYU Football News
In other BYU Sports news, BYU picked up their highest rated recruit for the 2025 class in McKay Madsen. He is a LB/RB, but will most likely play LB for BYU. He is a 4 star and chose BYU over UCLA and Oregon stating that his faith played a huge part in it. That is a big pickup for BYU and someone that BYU needs to start getting to keep the momentum going in the Big 12.
BYU Basketball News
In other BYU basketball news, BYU is in the top 11 for the highest remaining recruit in the 2025 class, Nate Ament. He is currently rated as the #4 overall recruit. He has BYU in his top 11 mostly because BYU has signed AJ. The 10 other teams are Alabama, Arkansas, Duke, Georgetown, Kansas St, Kentucky, Louisville, Notre Dame, Texas, and Tennessee. He has taken official visits to Louisville, Tennessee, Texas, and Notre Dame.
He likes the idea of teaming up with AJ and creating a high powered team who can feed off of each other. Here is an article from KSL Sports talking more about him. BYU reportedly visited him back in September. Ament is regarded as a top pick in the 2026 NBA draft, just like AJ. Itll be interesting to see what happens with him and if BYU starts to make a stronger push for him. I dont know if they will given what they have coming back next year from this years team in Hall and Saunders, but it would be enticing nonetheless.
