BYU Basketball 24-25-Bring out the Jelly!

[BigPiney]

I took my daughter to the game. I have written elsewhere about the trivial but still challenging (to me) reality of being a sports nut and wannabe athlete and having two kids who choose or are unable to play or be interested in sports. My daughter had a blast last night and kept talking about the ROC and how fun it would be to be a student and go to games some day. leaving the game she said something like "I just really like being united in a sports community. It feels so good to all be cheering together for a common goal." I don't know what 11-year old talks like that about sports but I'll take it!

that's awesome

[Joe Public]

Did Catchings get hurt? I would’ve thought he’d see the floor for several minutes with that second unit.

Not hurt, just still coming along on defense. I think Stewart has seen more minutes for that reason.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I have always liked Bill Self. His praising of the BYU team and the Marriott Center crowd/experience after the game won me over even more. The voice of the Jayhawks was interviewed by Wrubell before the game yesterday and he talked about how special the MC was and how BYU was by far his favorite new addition to the conference. It's nice to be wanted for a change.

I took my daughter to the game. I have written elsewhere about the trivial but still challenging (to me) reality of being a sports nut and wannabe athlete and having two kids who choose or are unable to play or be interested in sports. My daughter had a blast last night and kept talking about the ROC and how fun it would be to be a student and go to games some day. leaving the game she said something like "I just really like being united in a sports community. It feels so good to all be cheering together for a common goal." I don't know what 11-year old talks like that about sports but I'll take it!

I took my daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter. It was my granddaughter's first game (she just turned 3). She had a blast. She loved the cougar tail, half-time show, cosmo, etc and was amazed at the noise and number of people. But the noise level was pretty high so we had hands on her ears much of the time.

[Bo Diddley]

I have always liked Bill Self. His praising of the BYU team and the Marriott Center crowd/experience after the game won me over even more. The voice of the Jayhawks was interviewed by Wrubell before the game yesterday and he talked about how special the MC was and how BYU was by far his favorite new addition to the conference. It's nice to be wanted for a change.

I took my daughter to the game. I have written elsewhere about the trivial but still challenging (to me) reality of being a sports nut and wannabe athlete and having two kids who choose or are unable to play or be interested in sports. My daughter had a blast last night and kept talking about the ROC and how fun it would be to be a student and go to games some day. leaving the game she said something like "I just really like being united in a sports community. It feels so good to all be cheering together for a common goal." I don't know what 11-year old talks like that about sports but I'll take it!

Very cool.

[myboynoah]

lol

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[Copelius]

I took my daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter. It was my granddaughter's first game (she just turned 3). She had a blast. She loved the cougar tail, half-time show, cosmo, etc and was amazed at the noise and number of people. But the noise level was pretty high so we had hands on her ears much of the time.

The Jazz hand out earplugs for young kids. Maybe the Marriott Center ought to look into that.

[BigPiney]

I took my daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter. It was my granddaughter's first game (she just turned 3). She had a blast. She loved the cougar tail, half-time show, cosmo, etc and was amazed at the noise and number of people. But the noise level was pretty high so we had hands on her ears much of the time.

When I was in grad school I took my son to the Civil War game. It was insane. We had his ears covered the whole time. Still was a great memory. Was great to see stupid joey harrington lose.

[BigFatMeanie]

Not hurt, just still coming along on defense. I think Stewart has seen more minutes for that reason.

I don’t have any inside info but I suspect there is more going on with Catchings than just poor defensive play. I’m talking about things like attitude, coachability, and teammate stuff as well as life in Provo, being a college student, etc.

I don’t think he’s going pro after the current season and, frankly, I would be shocked if he returned to BYU for another year. Seems like he is clearly unhappy/struggling and I would bet money that he hits the transfer portal.

[BigFatMeanie]

The Jazz hand out earplugs for young kids. Maybe the Marriott Center ought to look into that.

Marriott Center does make the foam earplugs available. There is a dude that hands them out at a table in the concourse.

[byufan4ever]

I don’t have any inside info but I suspect there is more going on with Catchings than just poor defensive play. I’m talking about things like attitude, coachability, and teammate stuff as well as life in Provo, being a college student, etc.

I don’t think he’s going pro after the current season and, frankly, I would be shocked if he returned to BYU for another year. Seems like he is clearly unhappy/struggling and I would bet money that he hits the transfer portal.

Yeah I was kinda thinking this too that I wouldn't be surprised if he hit the transfer portal. But man, the opportunity to play with Dybansta...

[Goatnapper'96]

Yeah I was kinda thinking this too that I wouldn't be surprised if he hit the transfer portal. But man, the opportunity to play with Dybansta...

In the long run, IMO, KY's ability to build continuity will affect BYU success as much as NIL. I don't think Catchings is make or break per se, but keeping and developing players is a really big deal. BYU has put KY into as good a position as he could ask for so that he can guide BYU basketball to the promised land. He has $, all the staff he wants, a top tier conference, a good atmosphere to play in and lots of $. Did I mention he has lots of $?

I would think Catchings will get every opportunity to be a starter for BYU next year on what could be a very good college basketball team. He has access to supposedly some of the best pro development staff in the land and he will get paid. That isn't to say that for an African-American young man BYU isn't different and there have been some challenges for Catchings on the court-but he comes from folks who know good basketball and they know what KY is about. It should not be insurmountable to keep that young man in Provo-did I mention that KY has $ to help with these challenges?

Continuity becomes KY's mission once this season comes to a glorious ending.

[Jeff Lebowski]

If Catchings leaves, they can use that NIL money to get a different player, preferably one that knows how to play defense.

I have been very pleased to see BYU's defense gradually improve over the course of the season. If Catchings can't play defense, I fully support the coaches not playing him.

[Goatnapper'96]

If Catchings leaves, they can use that NIL money to get a different player, preferably one that knows how to play defense.

I have been very pleased to see BYU's defense gradually improve over the course of the season. If Catchings can't play defense, I fully support the coaches not playing him.

I think Catchings on the ball defense is very good. I think his issues are understanding system flow-likely a function of inexperience. I think he will be a good defender in future seasons.

I am fine with what the coaches do but I don't think the portal is a panacea-this year's team is more talented than last years but lacks the experience and familiarity and that is why it isn't as good. The portal has its place to augment a good core of internally developed players but I think KY's branding can take a ding if there is a mass exodus. Obviously, if Catchings leaves that isn't a mass exodus but I think the potential is there and despite him not performing up to expectations in year 1 it is my hope he and the staff stay committed to his long term goals. A great example of this is look how much Noah Waterman improved once he got comfortable and familiar with the system, his teammates and Provo. He transferred to Louisville and statistically he looks more like Noah Waterman from 2023 than 2024. Familiarity and continuity matter.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think Catchings on the ball defense is very good. I think his issues are understanding system flow-likely a function of inexperience. I think he will be a good defender in future seasons.

I am fine with what the coaches do but I don't think the portal is a panacea-this year's team is more talented than last years but lacks the experience and familiarity and that is why it isn't as good. The portal has its place to augment a good core of internally developed players but I think KY's branding can take a ding if there is a mass exodus. Obviously, if Catchings leaves that isn't a mass exodus but I think the potential is there and despite him not performing up to expectations in year 1 it is my hope he and the staff stay committed to his long term goals. A great example of this is look how much Noah Waterman improved once he got comfortable and familiar with the system, his teammates and Provo. He transferred to Louisville and statistically he looks more like Noah Waterman from 2023 than 2024. Familiarity and continuity matter.

Agreed. My point still stands.

I am guessing with AJ coming next year, there will be some great portal potential during the off season if someone leaves.

[Pelado]

BYU men's basketball current ratings:

NET: 40
KenPom: 34
ESPN BPI: 30
BPI Resume: 45
Faktor KPI: 58
AP: NR
Coaches: NR

Record against Quad 1: 3-5
Quad 2: 3-3
Quad 3: 4-0
Quad 4: 6-0

Games remaining against Quad 1: 4
Quad 2: 2
Quad 3: 1
Quad 4: 0

ESPN's BPI predictor model gives BYU a 78.5% chance to win at home against Kansas State (NET: 70, KenPom 57) on Saturday, predicting a margin of 8.1 points. It's ranked 14th of the day's games in "Matchup Quality".

For Tuesday's home game against Kansas (NET: 11, KenPom: 10), BPI projects an 54.7% chance of a Jayhawk victory, with an expected margin of 1.2 points. It's ranked 3rd of the day's games in "Matchup Quality".

For the tournament projections, BPI currently shows BYU with the following chances:
Round of 32: 32.7%
Sweet 16: 10.8%
Elite 8: 4.1%
Final 4: 1.3%
Title game: 0.3%
Champion: 0.1%

They are listed as the 33rd highest odds of winning the tournament. Big 12 teams with better odds:
Houston - 20.4%
Arizona - 4.0%
Iowa State - 3.4%
Kansas - 2.7%
Texas Tech - 2.2%
Baylor - 0.8%

BYU men's basketball current ratings:

NET: 31
KenPom: 30
ESPN BPI: 26
BPI Resume: 38
Faktor KPI: 45
AP: NR
Coaches: NR

Record against Quad 1: 3-7 (losses to TCU and Utah jumped from Quad 2 to Quad 1, win over UCF dropped to Quad 2)
Quad 2: 4-1
Quad 3: 5-0
Quad 4: 6-0

Games remaining against Quad 1: 3
Quad 2: 2
Quad 3: 0
Quad 4: 0

ESPN's BPI predictor model gives BYU just a 22.9% chance to win at Arizona (NET: 9, KenPom 11) on Saturday, predicting a margin of 7.6 points. It's ranked 5th of the day's games in "Matchup Quality".

For Wednesday's game at Arizona State (NET: 66, KenPom: 63), BPI projects a 63.7% chance of a Cougar victory, with an expected margin of 3.5 points. It's ranked 10th of the day's games in "Matchup Quality".

For the tournament projections, BPI currently shows BYU with the following chances:
Round of 32: 50.2%
Sweet 16: 19.4%
Elite 8: 8.2%
Final 4: 3.4%
Title game: 1.2%
Champion: 0.3%

They are listed as the 29th highest odds of winning the tournament. Big 12 teams with better odds:
Houston - 21.6%
Arizona - 3.7%
Iowa State - 3.6%
Texas Tech - 2.3%
Kansas - 1.3%
Baylor - 0.8%