BYU Basketball 24-25-Bring out the Jelly!

[falafel]

that block against Iowa State was amazing. He was awesome this year.

a revelation. a huge part of my enjoyment of this season. Saunders, Demin, Keita. Those are the players I will remember most from this year.

[Green Monstah]

I liked Crawford. Bummed to lose a PG, but I'm also a bit hopeful that its a sign that Egor sticks around.

[byufan4ever]

Third on my list is Egor Demin.

Stats: 10.6 Pts (41.2% / 27.3% / 69.5%), 5.5 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 2.9 TO

Season Average PER: 13.02

Best OOC Game: C Arkansas - 36.9 PER; 18 Pts (7-13 / 4-7 / 0-1 shooting), 11 Ast, 4 Stl, 1 TO - He really started of his collegiate career with a bang! He had the highest PER in the first two games of the season.
Worst OOC Game: Providence - -0.3 PER; 6 Pts (0-10 / 0-5 / 6-6 shooting), 2 Ast 1 TO - I believe that this was the game that he got injured early on, but stayed in the game; He would miss the next 3 games

Best Conf Game: Colorado - 24.2 PER; 8 Pts (4-7 / 0-2 / 0-0 shooting), 7 Ast, 4 Stl, 2 Blk
Worst Conf Game: Arizona - 0.8 PER; 16 Pts (7-20 / 2-9 / 0-3 shooting), 3 Ast, 4 TO

B12 Tourney Games: ISU - 2.5 PER; Houston - 1.6 PER
NCAA Tourney Games: VCU - 8.4 PER; Wisconsin - 22.6 PER; Alabama - 21.7 PER

# Times Player of the Game: 7
# Times Struggled to Perform: 5

He was our third best player stat-wise. And he was a freshman coming from Russia. At times it felt like he underperformed, but perhaps the expectations were too high? He had a really good first game (against a very weak opponent) and that just made the expectations that much higher. He has to learn how to deal with pressure. And learn when to stop shooting. He can hit 3s and mid-range jumpers, but that is really not his strong point right now. He can use his 6'9 frame to finish at the basket against smaller guards. He needs to use the pick and roll more, and then either pass or finish at the rim himself. There were times that he waved the pick away. And there were some very frustrating times where he held onto the ball for way too long. He needs to be more decisive. Despite these negatives, he obviously has huge potential. I would love to seem him in a BYU jersey for one more season. It'll be very interesting to see whether he stays or goes.

[Bo Diddley]

Folks, let me tell you—what an incredible season for the BYU Cougars. Just tremendous basketball, some of the best we’ve ever seen. They played with heart, with toughness, with skill—really, really amazing. People are talking about it!

And let’s talk about Kevin Young, okay? What a coach. A total winner. He comes in, first year, and boom—he’s making things happen. Smart, strategic, a real leader. Frankly, I don’t think BYU could have picked a better guy. They’re lucky, very lucky.

And Richie Saunders—wow, folks, wow. This guy is a machine. He plays hard, he hustles, he’s a total warrior out there. Some of the best shooting, best energy—you love to see it. Just incredible.

BYU basketball is back, folks. Stronger than ever. And believe me, they’re only going to get better. The future is very, very bright in Provo. Some might even say it's the greatest future in the history of college basketball. Believe me!

[byufan4ever]

Next up is Fousseyni Traore.

Stats: 8.7 Pts (62.8% / 25.0% / 82.3%), 5.4 Reb,

Season Average PER: 11.99

Best OOC Game: Idaho - 40.5 PER; 29 Pts (11-12 / 0-0 / 7-7 Shooting), 9 Reb, 0 TO - I don't care who you're playing, that's a freak stat line.
Worst OOC Game: Providence - 7.6 PER; 8 Pts (4-8 / 0-0 / 0-0 shooting), 2 Reb

Best Conf Game: West Virginia - 24.3 PER; 20 Pts (9-13 / 0-0 / 2-4 shooting), 10 Reb, 1 TO
Worst Conf Game: Iowa State - -5.0 PER; 2 Pts (1-2 / 0-0 / 0-0 shooting), 3 TOs - he only played 8 minutes

B12 Tourney Games: ISU - 18.4 PER; Houston - 1.6 PER
NCAA Tourney Games - VCU - 18.9 PER; Wisconsin - 4.9 PER; Alabama - 12.0 PER

# Times Player of the Game: 5
# Times Struggled to Perform: 0

I'm going to miss my Dancing Bear. I'm not complaining at the style of play that KY is bringing (as long as we win), but I love old school post players. Despite being only 6'6, he could box out and score against players 6+ inches taller than him. He was on target this season to finish with the #1 FG% for any BYU player ever. I never heard any hint of him wanting to transfer. Talk about a "BYU guy" this is it. His FT% went from 71.6% --> 82.3% this season. He played his fewest minutes per game, but again, I never saw an unhappy face on him. I would love to have him back on the staff at some point.

[byufan4ever]

Trevin Knell is the 5th player on my list.

Stats: 9.2 Pts (47.3% / 42.9% / 73.2%), 0.8 TO

Season Average PER: 9.89

Best OOC Game: Fresno St. - 36.7 PER; 22 Pts (8-11 / 4-6 / 2-3 shooting), 10 Reb, 3 Stl, 0 TO - That's pretty crazy that Knell got 10 rebounds in a game when he averaged just 2.4 for the season.
Worst OOC Game: Florida A&M - 3.0 PER; 10 Pts (3-8 / 2-6 / 2-3 shooting), 3 TO

Best Conf Game: Oklahoma St. - 19.7 PER; 18 Pts (6-12 / 4-9 / 2-2 shooting), 5 Reb, 0 TO
Worst Conf Game: West Virginia - -0.7 PER; 2 Pts (1-3 / 0-2 / 0-0 shooting), 1 TO

B12 Tourney Games: ISU - 15.3 PER; Houston - -3.9 PER
NCAA Tourney Games: VCU - 6.7 PER; Wisconsin - 14.3 PER; Alabama - 16.1 PER

# Times Player of the Game: 3
# Times Struggled to Perform: 8

The oldest player in college basketball. Overall, 43% from 3FG this season and 40% for his career is not bad at all. But when he was missing the 3P and not bringing anything else to the table, that was rough. He still ended up as our fifth best player, but I gotta think that he's quite replacable as far as stats go. He did draw a number of charges and I appreciate things that don't show up in the box score. I wish him the best at whatever he ends up doing next.

[byufan4ever]

I've covered the "best five" in some detail. Next, I'll cover the next five in much less detail, in one post.

Dallin Hall
Stats: 6.8 Pts (40.2% / 35.3% / 67.2%), 4.2 Ast, 1.6 TO
Season Average PER: 9.42
Best Game: Florida A&M - 24.1 PER; 14 Pts (4-410 / 2-5 / 4-5 shooting), 5 Reb, 7 Ast, 0 TO.
I'm not saying or trying to convince anyone that Hall is one of the best PGs that we've ever had. But I just don't get the hate for him. Yeah, his last game wasn't his best one. But his Ast-TO ratio of 2.6 was better that Demin's 1.9. I don't think it's a coincidence that Hall's best game came when Demin was out injured. Hall just didn't jive in Young's system with two PGs. Dallin had really good synergy with Foos on the court and it was quite apparent in their press conferences together that they were friends off the court as well. With Foos graduating, maybe it's best for everyone if Hall moves on as well. I for one, wish him the best wherever he goes, and will cheer for him (unless he goes to the Pukes).

Dawson Baker
Stats: 7.5 Pts (45.3% / 38.0% / 78.3%), 1.4 Ast, 0.9 TO
Season Average PER: 6.90
Best Game: Queens - 24.3 PER: 22 Pts (8-10 / 6-7 / 0-0), 1 TO
He's my pick for a player that I want to see make a huge improvement in the off season. I don't think he'll ever be a great defender, but he needs to at least be average. And while he showed flashes of being a good scorer, he needs to be more consistent offensively.

Mawaot Mag
Stats: 5.9 Pts (48.6% / 39.7% / 75.0%), 2.1 Reb
Season Average PER: 6.83
Best Game: UCF - 22.0 PER; 19 Pts (6-10 / 3-6 / 4-5), 5 Ast
Mag was a great 3 & D player and inserting him into the starting lineup really changes our season around. I swear every time he dribbled the ball I thought he was about to trip over his own feet. But, I loved his defensive intensity. A lot of what he did did not show up in the box score stats, but I want a player like him on our team every season. I loved when he would guard the other team's best player with full court pressure.

Kanon Catchings
Stats: 7.2 Pts (41.1% / 35.0% / 58.7%)
Season Average PER: 6.26
Best Game: Baylor - 25.3 PER; 23 Pts (8-8 / 4-4 / 3-3), 0 TO
That game against Baylor showed what he's capable of offensively. But even with that, he got zero seconds of PT in OT. That tells you something. I got real tired of hearing how good his family members were at basketball and not seeing enough of it in him. Jacking up ill advised 3FGs time after time is one thing. But he just had a lack of effort to him. Almost no attempt to play defense or rebound. Hopefully he matures and toughens up at his next destination. I have no ill will towards him, but I'm not sad to see him go either.

Mihailo Boskovic
Stats: 3.6 Pts (38.0 % / 26.8% / 81.5%), 1.7 Reb
Season Average PER: 3.22
Best Game: Central Arkansas - 15.9 PER; 11 Pts (5-7 / 1-3 / 0-0), 2 Blk
He was supposed to be our stretch 4, but he's gotta improve that 3FG shooting if that's going to be the case. I don't think he was an upgrade over Waterman. Hopefully he can make a big leap as well because we only have one more season with him.

[falafel]

I've covered the "best five" in some detail. Next, I'll cover the next five in much less detail, in one post.

Dallin Hall
Stats: 6.8 Pts (40.2% / 35.3% / 67.2%), 4.2 Ast, 1.6 TO
Season Average PER: 9.42
Best Game: Florida A&M - 24.1 PER; 14 Pts (4-410 / 2-5 / 4-5 shooting), 5 Reb, 7 Ast, 0 TO.
I'm not saying or trying to convince anyone that Hall is one of the best PGs that we've ever had. But I just don't get the hate for him. Yeah, his last game wasn't his best one. But his Ast-TO ratio of 2.6 was better that Demin's 1.9. I don't think it's a coincidence that Hall's best game came when Demin was out injured. Hall just didn't jive in Young's system with two PGs. Dallin had really good synergy with Foos on the court and it was quite apparent in their press conferences together that they were friends off the court as well. With Foos graduating, maybe it's best for everyone if Hall moves on as well. I for one, wish him the best wherever he goes, and will cheer for him (unless he goes to the Pukes).

Dawson Baker
Stats: 7.5 Pts (45.3% / 38.0% / 78.3%), 1.4 Ast, 0.9 TO
Season Average PER: 6.90
Best Game: Queens - 24.3 PER: 22 Pts (8-10 / 6-7 / 0-0), 1 TO
He's my pick for a player that I want to see make a huge improvement in the off season. I don't think he'll ever be a great defender, but he needs to at least be average. And while he showed flashes of being a good scorer, he needs to be more consistent offensively.

Mawaot Mag
Stats: 5.9 Pts (48.6% / 39.7% / 75.0%), 2.1 Reb
Season Average PER: 6.83
Best Game: UCF - 22.0 PER; 19 Pts (6-10 / 3-6 / 4-5), 5 Ast
Mag was a great 3 & D player and inserting him into the starting lineup really changes our season around. I swear every time he dribbled the ball I thought he was about to trip over his own feet. But, I loved his defensive intensity. A lot of what he did did not show up in the box score stats, but I want a player like him on our team every season. I loved when he would guard the other team's best player with full court pressure.

Kanon Catchings
Stats: 7.2 Pts (41.1% / 35.0% / 58.7%)
Season Average PER: 6.26
Best Game: Baylor - 25.3 PER; 23 Pts (8-8 / 4-4 / 3-3), 0 TO
That game against Baylor showed what he's capable of offensively. But even with that, he got zero seconds of PT in OT. That tells you something. I got real tired of hearing how good his family members were at basketball and not seeing enough of it in him. Jacking up ill advised 3FGs time after time is one thing. But he just had a lack of effort to him. Almost no attempt to play defense or rebound. Hopefully he matures and toughens up at his next destination. I have no ill will towards him, but I'm not sad to see him go either.

Mihailo Boskovic
Stats: 3.6 Pts (38.0 % / 26.8% / 81.5%), 1.7 Reb
Season Average PER: 3.22
Best Game: Central Arkansas - 15.9 PER; 11 Pts (5-7 / 1-3 / 0-0), 2 Blk
He was supposed to be our stretch 4, but he's gotta improve that 3FG shooting if that's going to be the case. I don't think he was an upgrade over Waterman. Hopefully he can make a big leap as well because we only have one more season with him.

I have no issues with Dallin Hall, he is a good back up PG on a good team. I appreciated how he came in late in games and provided solid ball handling when Demin was less than sure. He certainly has his limitations, including a bit of a hero complex, but I appreciate his as a Cougar.

I didn't watch Baker much earlier in the season, but his play in the later half of the season was really good, IMO. He's so crafty with his shots around the basket, and he's a good ball handler. And he can hit the 3. Sure, I'd like better defense, but I'd also like better offense out of Mag. That's kinda who they are I guess.

Bosko came on a bit in the later half of the season, and I hope he'll make a leap this off-season as he gets to know the college game more. I don't see him as any NBA guy, but I like the idea of Euro guys beginning to recognize that the top 1/3 of the NCAA is maybe the second best basketball league in the world and why not grab some money and an education for a few years in the states. I think we'll have more and more euro guys coming to CBB for a couple of seasons. I'm excited about that, because BYU has shown it can bid for the best of those players.

I liked Kanon, in part because he was one of the first highly-rated players to commit to KY. I think he could be really good as a Junior, and even have a good NBA career, if he will commit to playing some defense. His move from Purdue to BYU and then to the portal sort of shows that he's a little entitled and perhaps needs to learn a bit about team work. Hopefully he'll do that at his next stop.

[BigFatMeanie]

I agree with falafel that Dallin Hall is a good backup on a good team. I think he is weaker around the basket (ie missing layups) than a starting D1 guard on a top team should be; and his free throw shooting, while improving from 62% last season to 67% this season, is sub-par. He’s the kind of guy BYU has historically been able to get so I’m glad he was here, and I would have liked to see him stay and backup for another year; however, this season has brought on an up-leveling of talent and expectations so I wish him the best in his next endeavor.

[Green Monstah]

Rumors are that Dallin Hall is about to get PAID to go elsewhere. Typically, I get pissed with transfers, but if his NIL money is anywhere near rumored, good for him. He should go.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I agree with falafel that Dallin Hall is a good backup on a good team. I think he is weaker around the basket (ie missing layups) than a starting D1 guard on a top team should be; and his free throw shooting, while improving from 62% last season to 67% this season, is sub-par. He’s the kind of guy BYU has historically been able to get so I’m glad he was here, and I would have liked to see him stay and backup for another year; however, this season has brought on an up-leveling of talent and expectations so I wish him the best in his next endeavor.

I wonder what his FT% is in the last few minutes of games. Seems like it was terrible.

[falafel]

I wonder what his FT% is in the last few minutes of games. Seems like it was terrible.

I don't understand it when guards don't shoot 80% from the FT. I shot 80% in Jr. Jazz and I wasn't any kind of shooter. I learned by watching Jeff Hornacek.

[Bo Diddley]

I wonder what his FT% is in the last few minutes of games. Seems like it was terrible.

Yep. Before checking the stats a few weeks back, I figured he'd actually regressed this year. Turns out he just seems to miss more often when the pressure is on.

[falafel]

Yep. Before checking the stats a few weeks back, I figured he'd actually regressed this year. Turns out he just seems to miss more often when the pressure is on.

I wonder how many players that is true for. I'm guessing its a lot.

[myboynoah]

I wonder how many players that is true for. I'm guessing its a lot.

Maybe, and this may be my own bias, but I was too often unhappy about how we missed FTs as other programs seemed to make every last one!