BYU Basketball 25-26: The AJ Season

[BlueK]

2 byu guys on there.

Truly an amazing time for BYU basketball.

[LiveCoug]

Apparently Brian Santiago spoke at father's son camp at BYU and stated the non conference schedule should be out soon and it will have a lot of great games. He gave away one matchup which will be UNC at the Delta Center which, yeah, is freaking awesome

[Pelado]

Apparently Brian Santiago spoke at father's son camp at BYU and stated the non conference schedule should be out soon and it will have a lot of great games. He gave away one matchup which will be UNC at the Delta Center which, yeah, is freaking awesome

That is awesome.

[beefytee]

Looks like it is an exhibition game.

Better than nothing, I guess.

[LiveCoug]

Lame. Makes it much less cool.

This is just a "secret scrimmage" game of past years. These games can now be televised and fans can attend, so at least there is that. Just wish it counted

[Goatnapper'96]

BYU is getting a great deal of preseason hype from the various pundits. Fans are describing this team as the most talented team in BYU history. I don't know where it stands in the pantheon of the rich history of BYU basketball talent-but this team has many great components.

1.) Basketball is a sport driven moreso by star power than other sports-that isn't to say teamwork isn't as important but to be really good you need star power. BYU will start 3 players who have all scored in double digits and been all conference caliber performers-albeit only 2 in the Big-12 with Davis playing with SIU last year. But the point is saliant that this team has 3 returning college players who were fairly described as "stars" for teams last year. Wright has to improve his efficiency, there is reason to believe that with a year of experience and more importantly playing with a better supporting cast he will. Like many I am interested to see what Davis can do at this level but I don't think BYU is going to expect him to carry them offensively this upcoming season-I see his role as more defensive focussed. Then you add to the returning college stars the top HS recruit. When BYU landed Toolsen from UVU in 2019 when Marc Pope came to BYU, it changed BYU's offensive dynamics because BYU went from 2 good offensive players to 3. BYU went from mediocre in 18-19 to being legitimately good in 19-20. If Dybantsa can perform like the pundits and experts expect, BYU will have 4 legitimate offensive stars in their starting lineup-that is kind of a big deal.

2.) I think Coach KY is more prepared for the college game. The big adjustment he made last season was when he figured out that college hoops allows more physicality than the NBA and thus is a more defensive minded game. He moved Mag into the starting lineup and BYU got much, much better. I don't know enough about the game to tell you where else KY has to learn but I know enough about life and experience to know he has a great deal to learn. My opinion of him based upon one season is he is a smart dude and will figure out what he needs to do for BYU to be successful. I think a big part of why he brought on Davis and Pickens is they are both good defensive players.

3.) Depth/role players. With Pickens and Baker as guards BYU is in a good position to weather injuries or foul trouble. It will miss beats but both of these two are decent Big 12 caliber players. They are not the star power of Wright, Davis or Richie-but they can hold their own even with good players and they will not be physically mismatched. I think Boscovich will play as a back up 4/5 and between Diamonde, Mboup, Staton, Kozlowski and Mrus a few others will as well. I am not sure who it will be and it may be dictated by team needs and matchups etc, but my expectation is BYU will have a rotation of at least 10 players this year and perhaps more. But the bodies are there and I trust they are able.

So what do you reasonable people think the potential is for this BYU team? The only real hole I can clearly identify now is a lack of a back to basket scorer, but I think you can compensate for that by getting points in the paint via slashing and penetrating. Richie, Wright, Davis, Dybantsa and Baker all ought to be able to do that for BYU this upcoming year so I don't see that as the issue it could be for a typical BYU team. Do you folks think the pundits are getting way ahead of things? This is truly new terrain for BYU fans.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Curious to see how Mboup does. They say he’s very good in practice and the video I’ve seen looks promising.

[Green Monstah]

Assuming good chemistry develops, I think this team has Final Four potential for sure. Personally, I'll be happy with Elite 8.

[Goatnapper'96]

Curious to see how Mboup does. They say he’s very good in practice and the video I’ve seen looks promising.

It is going to be interesting exactly how many end up in the rotation and who they are. I am convinced that Baker, Pickens and Boscovic will all come off the bench and play. My expectations is the rotation will include at least 2 more, but who? I am skeptical BYU will bring in a highly touted athlete like Xavion Staton and not play him some amount as a true freshman even if Xavion is raw and in need of physical development-the kid is 7' and an athlete. There are those who claim both Mboup and Diamonde are athletic specimens as well and the videos as well chatter indicate they can contribute now. That leaves Kozlowski and Mrus. Different players to some extent-I understand that Kozlowski is actually a good rebounder as well as a shooter and Mrus looks like just a shooting specialist to me. First, for either to get a role it will require that the other players are unable to hit wide open 3's and BYU needs a shooter to be out on the court 10-15 mpg for that role so part of me is hoping we don't need that as Saunders, Davis, Pickens, Dybantsa, Baker and Wright are adequate enough behind the arc that there isn't a need.

I can remember when Terry Nashif started a few games for BYU. These are different days.

[Goatnapper'96]

Assuming good chemistry develops, I think this team has Final Four potential for sure. Personally, I'll be happy with Elite 8.

LOL! Us BYU fans saying I would be happy with Elite 8. I have watched it happen and I still am perplexed how it all happened.

[Omaha 680]

LOL! Us BYU fans saying I would be happy with Elite 8. I have watched it happen and I still am perplexed how it all happened.

Elite 8 win over Kentucky to go to the Final 4. That's the story we need next year.

[myboynoah]

I can remember when Terry Nashif started a few games for BYU. These are different days.

Yes, definitely different.

Why would we not see this team as the most talented in BYU history? That Ainge-Kite-Roberts-Durant-Trumbo-that guy who did Marie wrong team would be the only one that might rival this one. I will be looking to see how well and how soon they gel as the early season unfolds. The good thing about today's college basketball is that every other team is adjusting and trying to gel as well.

My big question is how deep KY will go into the bench. He brought in a lot of talent in the portal, buys who had significant minutes at their respective schools.

[Bo Diddley]

Yes, definitely different.

Why would we not see this team as the most talented in BYU history? That Ainge-Kite-Roberts-Durant-Trumbo-that guy who did Marie wrong team would be the only one that might rival this one. I will be looking to see how well and how soon they gel as the early season unfolds. The good thing about today's college basketball is that every other team is adjusting and trying to gel as well.

My big question is how deep KY will go into the bench. He brought in a lot of talent in the portal, buys who had significant minutes at their respective schools.

My guess is pretty deep. He was impressed by how he managed the team this past year.

[BlueK]

Yes, definitely different.

Why would we not see this team as the most talented in BYU history? That Ainge-Kite-Roberts-Durant-Trumbo-that guy who did Marie wrong team would be the only one that might rival this one. I will be looking to see how well and how soon they gel as the early season unfolds. The good thing about today's college basketball is that every other team is adjusting and trying to gel as well.

My big question is how deep KY will go into the bench. He brought in a lot of talent in the portal, buys who had significant minutes at their respective schools.

I feel fortunate I am old enough to have watched those Danny Ainge teams as a kid. Good times. The one who married Marie Osmond was Steve Craig. According to Wikipedia they divorced in 1985 but remarried in 2011 and apparently are still together, so maybe it eventually worked out.

[Goatnapper'96]

My guess is pretty deep. He was impressed by how he managed the team this past year.

KY helps us all to go deep!