PROVO — Once seen as a contender for the Final Four, the expectations surrounding BYU basketball have significantly diminished following a series of four straight losses in the Big 12 conference. The situation worsened with the news of Richie Saunders’ season-ending injury, casting doubt over the Cougars’ prospects in next month’s NCAA Tournament.
Despite the mounting skepticism, BYU head coach Kevin Young remains unfazed and motivated. “I think I do better in situations like this, back against-the-wall type of mentality,” he remarked, expressing his determination to turn things around while rallying his team. “I know a lot of people are writing us off, and I’m kind of relishing in that and so are our guys.”
The Cougars now face a challenging road ahead, having to rely on players who have seen limited action thus far. The previous star trio — AJ Dybantsa, Rob Wright, and Saunders — is no longer intact. With Saunders sidelined early in the last game and Dawson Baker injured since November, the team’s depth has taken a severe hit as the regular season approaches its end.
Young, who previously served as an NBA assistant coach, acknowledges the necessity of utilizing the bench more effectively. “Obviously, I was going really heavy on not using the bench a ton,” he explained. “Now we don’t have a choice. I’ve seen this in the NBA world where people go out, and other guys step up. I’ve seen it time and time again.”
The ultimate test for the Cougars will come with their next six games, three of which are against top 13 teams: Arizona, Iowa State, and Texas Tech, alongside tough road challenges against West Virginia and Cincinnati. Young emphasized the importance of seizing this opportunity for the seldom-used players, suggesting, “You wanted more opportunity, you just got it. So now what are you going to do with it?”
In sharing his philosophy on maintaining confidence, he referred to BYU women’s cross country coach Diljeet Taylor’s saying: “belief is a beautiful thing.” Young understands that patience will be crucial as these role players have a chance to develop their rhythm and contribute effectively.
Amidst the shifting dynamics, BYU will increasingly lean on the scoring prowess of Dybantsa and Wright. Dybantsa exuded confidence in his teammates, stating after an overtime victory over Colorado, “I’m super confident in those guys.”
Additionally, Young aims to get more from starter Kennard Davis, who has been miscast as primarily a three-point shooter this season. With Saunders out, there’s a newfound opportunity for Davis, who has struggled with shot consistency. Young plans to adjust Davis’s role to help him unlock his full potential, moving away from a reliance on catch-and-shoot opportunities.
As the team navigates this pivotal stretch, the challenges may well lead to unexpected breakthroughs and growth, keeping alive the hope of overcoming adversity as they strive for a successful finish to the season.