BYU players, coaches party with Cougar Nation at Marriott Madness

It’s officially basketball season at BYU.

The Marriott Center was back to its rowdy ways Tuesday night, as more than 5,000 students and fans packed the arena for BYU’s annual Marriott Madness preseason pep rally.

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It was part meet-and-greet, part circus — Cougar players from both the men’s and women’s teams took the court to introduce themselves, BYU’s dunk team showed off, the Cougarettes danced and Cosmo did Cosmo things.

Students with ROC passes began arriving more than two hours beforehand to receive replica jerseys, and they were treated to their own dance party — complete with a DJ — outside the Marriott Center Annex afterward.

Not too shabby for a Tuesday night in Provo.

A more vocal Rob Wright III addressed the crowd with what appeared to be greater enthusiasm than he’d ever shown before at BYU, and new Cougars big man Jaxon Kohler may have been the most excited Cougar of the night.

BYU’s latest 5-star freshman Bruce Branch III received a hero’s welcome, as did women’s star Delaney Gibb, freshman Provo native Dean Rueckert, Kentucky transfer Collin Chandler and fan favorite Khadim Mboup.

In a 3-point shooting competition, the team of Branch and women’s sharpshooter Kailey Woolston narrowly defeated Liza Astakhova and Chandler.

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For head coaches Kevin Young and Lee Cummard, however, the festivities were practically a recruiting effort, each taking the mic to address the fans and help them catch the vision to return often to the Marriott Center during the season.

Cummard’s pitch to come watch his BYU women’s team was simple — “we play fast, we shoot the 3, and we make it miserable for the other team,” he told the crowd, igniting cheers.

Fans are shown at BYU’s Marriott Madness event on Oct. 6, 2026. | BYU Photo

Cosmo the Cougar dunks at BYU’s Marriott Madness event on Oct. 6, 2026. | BYU Photo

BYU players are shown together at Marriott Madness on Oct. 6, 2026. | BYU Photo

BYU’s Marriott Madness event at the Marriott Center in Provo on Oct. 6,…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/byu-players-coaches-party-cougar-100001207.html

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Publish date : 2026-10-07 10:00:00

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