10. BYU (9-2)
There are not a lot of reasons to complain if you’re BYU in the past, present, or future. Losing coach Mark Pope to Kentucky this past offseason wasn’t ideal, but Kevin Young is already shaping this program in a promising direction. Landing #1 recruit A. J. Dybantsa has the Cougars excited for the future, though this season is starting off on a pretty solid foot as well.
Some familiar faces continue making big plays for the Cougars, with Richie Saunders and Trevin Knell doing great work in the backcourt in their junior and senior seasons respectively. There’s a flair of newness in this lineup, with freshmen Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings both averaging double-digit points per game as well. Demin has missed time with injury recently but BYU is in great shape when the whole lineup is healthy.
BYU hasn’t exactly played a murderer’s row of a nonconference schedule but they have been tested a few times this season. They took a ranked Mississippi State squad to overtime at the Rady Children’s Invitational before getting a double-digit win over NC State the following day. Beaten decisively by Providence a few days later, the Cougars sadly lack other wins of note, with most of their other action coming on their homecourt.
This team scores points and limits second-chance opportunities and certainly are at their best when that entire lineup is healthy. Still, there are weaknesses for this BYU team and they are led by a first-year head coach. A middle of the pack finish feels right for the Cougars, who should outmaneuver a few teams in this league and likely have a few upsets up their sleeve. The big question is if they can do enough to get another ticket to the Big Dance in a few months.