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BYU Cougars forward Kanon Catchings (6) and his teammates await Texas Tech Red Raiders players during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Ever since he replaced Mark Pope as BYU’s basketball coach back in April, Kevin Young has not shied away from expectations.
In fact, the former Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns assistant coach has embraced them, saying the goal is to compete for Big 12 and national championships, while preparing guys to play in the NBA.
Approaching the midway point of Young’s first season in Provo, however, the Cougars are not living up to the hype that exploded when Young reeled Richie Saunders and Dallin Hall back from the transfer portal, brought in Utah’s Keba Keita and Rutgers’ Mawot Mag from the portal, and landed prized recruits Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings.
The Cougars, 10-4 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12 after Tuesday night’s discouraging 72-67 loss to Texas Tech in front of 17,307 at the Marriott Center, are struggling to reach their potential.
As defensive specialist Mag said Tuesday night after scoring 11 points, there are still a lot of games left to be played, and it is way too early to panic. But the Cougars simply cannot afford to lose any more home games to so-so teams if they hope to make it to the Big Dance in March. And they need to play better on the road, beginning Saturday against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.
Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kevin Overton (1) shoots the ball while guarded by BYU Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland calls out to his players during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the BYU Cougars held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Kanon Catchings (6) drives the ball toward the hoop…
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Author : Deseret News
Publish date : 2025-01-08 22:06:00
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