BYU desperately needed a Quad 1 win to stay in NCAA Tournament contention.
Heading into Tuesday night, the Cougars were 0-3 in such opportunities this season. And knowing they needed at least a handful of Quad 1 wins to make it to March, they couldn’t let too many more chances go to waste.
It made the game against Baylor a near must-win for the Cougars — the most winnable of the five-straight Quad 1 games upcoming.
“There were so many games earlier that just didn’t go our way,” guard Dawson Baker said of the missed opportunities. “It’s big for us.”
This time, the Cougars didn’t let one slide.
After giving up a six-point lead in the final two minutes of regulation, BYU won in overtime, 93-89.
It was the first time in conference play that both of BYU’s stars looked like potential lottery picks at the same time.
Egor Demin finished with 15 points and six assists. More importantly, he was getting to the rim — something he’s struggled to do since league play started.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars forward Kanon Catchings (6) leads a fast-break as Cincinnati Bearcats guard Dan Skillings Jr. (0) defends, in Big 12 basketball action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats at the Marriott Center, in Provo, on Saturday, Jan 25, 2025.
And Kanon Catchings had his best performance of the year, going for 23 points on 8-for-8 shooting. He hit four threes. Young didn’t close the game with Catchings, sitting him for overtime and the final three minutes for defensive matchups.
But it showed proof of concept of how this offense can be led by its two freshmen.
When Baylor coach Scott Drew left the Marriott Center, he said Catchings deserved an extra water.
“He’s earned it,” he said laughing as he walked away.
The Big Thing
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) takes the b all inside, as Utah Utes forward Jake Wahlin (10) defends, in Big 12 basketball action between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars, at the Jon M. Huntsman Center, on Saturday, Jan 18, 2025.
A year ago, if you said Richie Saunders would be BYU’s most effective option, you would have thought something was gravely wrong.
Well, Saunders is BYU’s best weapon this year, but it’s not because of a lack of talent.
On a roster with two potential NBA draft picks in Demin and Catchings, Saunders has a team-leading 15 points per game.
He’s shooting 45% from three, 50% in conference, and almost 58% from the field. Statistically, he is the second-best shooter in the league.
It’s pretty remarkable considering what Saunders has been the last two years of his career. He shot 30% as a freshman and 36% as a sophomore. He’s nearly an unrecognizable player from what he used to be.
But this really isn’t a fluke. It’s not like he magically became a great shooter in one offseason.
In Kevin Young’s system, he’s getting different types of shots — ones that seem better suited for his game.
Under former head coach Mark Pope, Saunders was mainly a slasher. He was coming off of screens looking to go downhill, toward the rim. 58% of his attempts came at the rim.
But Young changed that when he came in. Now, he’s not coming downhill, he’s moving toward the three-point line and given an option. He can either rise up for a three, or put the ball on the floor to attack the paint.
Of his 188 attempts this year, 95 have come from two and 93 from three. He’s been more balanced, picking the look he wants.
“I am playing a different position for the most part. Where I am going [to the three-point point line] instead of coming towards the basket. It allows me to just get some different looks,” he said. “Historically, I’m more used to it.”
Young believes his system benefits players who can make quick decisions, either shoot or drive in under a second. Saunders’ release and rip through work for that.
“Richie is a prime example of that. Obviously he gets his shot off so quick but those quick rip and go [moves]. It’s just hard to stay in front of that,” Young said.
Fourth down
1. Hall’s role
Dallin Hall has a new role these days: reserve player. Young opted to put Demin as the starter and bring Hall off the bench. It’s led to some nights where Hall is playing less than half the game and a nonfactor offensively.
He hasn’t scored more than 10 points since mid-January. Young has wanted him to be more aggressive.
Maybe there was a glimmer of hope against Baylor, though. He hit a three in overtime and finished the final 10 minutes for Young.
AJ Dybantsa, left, a BYU commit and projected 2026 NBA draft pick sits in the stand before a Paris Games 2025 NBA basketball game between the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
BYU basketball commit AJ Dybantsa was in Paris this week for the NBA Paris games. He will be a McDonald’s All-American this year.
3. Three-game win streak
BYU basketball has a three-game win streak in the Big 12 for the first time as a program. Young said it’s proof that the program can win at a high level.
4. BYU women’s hoops
Amber Whiting’s crew is in a bad way right now. After a loss to Utah, the women’s team is 1-7 in the Big 12. This is the third year of Whiting’s rebuild.
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