BYU expected to be college basketball’s biggest threat this season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
All eyes were on the season opener for the 8 th ranked BYU Cougars and the $7 million dollar man, freshman AJ Dybantsa. The highly touted Dynbasta did not disappoint, leading BYU to a 71-66 win over Villanova in the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas.
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Dybantsa came out strong in his BYU debut scoring 21 points, six rebounds, and three assists in his debut. He started off the game with a beautiful lob pass from beyond the three-point line connecting with Keba Keita setting the tone for the Cougars and things would continue to roll for the star freshman.
Dybansta showed his fearlessness in attacking the rim, and good use of body control when there was contact on the floor. He showed that he will be a mismatch problem moving forward in the season ahead and in the game his size, athleticism, vision, and ability to score at all three levels came into play in the win against Villanova.
But it was not just the AJ Dybantsa show for the Cougars. Senior Richie Saunders finished the night with 15 points and seven rebounds, Senior Keba Keita contributed eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks anchoring BYU’s defense.
Baylor transfer Robert Wright III dropped 14 points for the Cougars and brought valuable
leadership on the floor for head coach Kevin Young. Kennard Davis stat line of six points and two rebounds might knock anyone’s socks off, but it’s his defensive physicality that will be his trademark moving forward.
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The only two knocks the Cougars have in the win against Villanova were being out rebounded 49 to 43 and their lack of bench scoring. In total the Cougars had seven bench points with Dawson Baker scoring five of those seven points.
Even with the lack of scoring from the bench Kevin Young’s players are well disciplined
and know their roles and execute at a high level and have his players playing both ends
of the floor. If you play for Kevin Young you are going to have to play both ways.
The Cougars held the wildcats to 35.8% shooting from the floor, forced 11 turnovers, and
committed just four themselves. BYU’s size and ability to spread the floor showed in the win against Villanova scoring 40 of their 71 points in the paint.
Last season, BYU made a run to the Sweet 16 before falling to second seed Wisconsin.
This year’s team has plenty of experience and depth should be right back in the mix be
one of the teams playing in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana
come early April.
