It’s no surprise that when Kevin Young, the new head coach of BYU basketball, took his first shot at unveiling the 2023-24 Cougars squad, fans turned out in force. The Cougars absolutely dominated Division II’s Colorado Christian University, winning 93-49 in their exhibition match at the Marriott Center. Yet, despite the high score and flashy plays, there were a couple of stats that stole the show for Coach Young – particularly those 24 assists across 31 made baskets.
“This stat is the one I’m most excited about,” Young shared. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve tried to be unselfish as a team. I think about 10 of our guys had an assist tonight. That shows they’re really buying into what we’ve been working on.” When you’re building a team and fostering the right culture, unselfishness is key, and Young’s players are evidently embracing it. Let’s break down why this assist stat stood out, along with some of the other memorable highlights from an impressive preseason debut.
A Crowd-Packed Arena and Unmatched Energy
The Marriott Center was packed with an energetic 16,323 fans, a huge turnout for a midweek exhibition game against an underdog team from Lakeland, Colorado. “I’ve honestly come to expect this from BYU fans,” Young laughed. “BYU athletics have so much energy going right now. The football team is doing amazing, and tonight Jake Retzlaff even came out. It was awesome. There’s something special about this place.”
Such a massive crowd for a preseason game is a sign of the excitement around this BYU basketball team and what fans hope to see in the coming season. Fans may not have known exactly what to expect from Young’s team, but the electric atmosphere certainly reflected their enthusiasm.
Freshman Stars Step Up Big Time
One of the biggest questions of the night: is this BYU basketball team special? It’s early, and exhibition games aren’t usually the most telling indicator of season potential. Yet, if this game was anything to go by, the Cougars have a dynamic group of freshmen ready to make an impact. Coach Young was thrilled to see the Cougars’ highly anticipated freshmen live up to their hype.
Five-star freshman Egor Demin, an 18-year-old Russian standout, looked strong on both ends of the court despite not scoring a single point. In the first half, he logged an impressive eight assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block – all while only attempting three shots. His ability to facilitate was nothing short of a game-changer, setting up perfect alley-oops for Keba Keita and Kanon Catchings. Demin also connected with Richie Saunders, Trevin Knell, and Dawson Baker for several open three-pointers, electrifying the crowd with his court vision.
“He’s wired to play that way,” Young said of Demin’s unselfish approach. “His size, some of the passes he was making – I would love to play with that guy. I’d just stand in the corner and wait for the ball to fly my way.” However, Young also noted that they want Demin to get a bit more aggressive in future games, especially in scoring. “He’ll learn to find his moments,” Young added. Demin wasn’t alone in making an impression among the freshmen, as Kanon Catchings and Elijah Crawford both showed impressive potential.
Kanon Catchings Makes His Mark
Another freshman who shined early on was Kanon Catchings, who brought the fire from the get-go. Scoring 14 points in just the first 15 minutes of play, Catchings ended the night with a game-high 19 points, shooting a sharp 8-for-10 from the field. In the postgame press conference, his teammates made Catchings give the opening remarks – a fun tradition carried over from Coach Mark Pope’s previous leadership. The freshman had this to say: “It was incredible. Our first game playing against someone else, with this crowd, it was just amazing. Running the court with these guys and feeling the fan energy was a whole different level.”
Crawford’s All-Around Game
Elijah Crawford also made his presence felt with his versatility on the court. He racked up nine points, five rebounds, and five assists, a well-rounded stat line that highlights his value as a two-way player. “He’s a unique player for us because he’s aggressive on defense and can get to the paint consistently,” Young said. “We don’t need him to do anything crazy – just stay solid and put pressure on the defense. He’s coming along nicely.”
Shooting Splashes: BYU Nails 3s
A key takeaway for Coach Young was BYU’s 3-point shooting performance. BYU shot an impressive 18-for-36 from beyond the arc, bouncing back from an initially cold start where they missed their first five shots. Once they warmed up, however, the Cougars drilled 12 of their next 17 3-point attempts. “Shooting from deep is crucial for us,” Young explained. “We didn’t shoot as well as I would have liked in our closed scrimmage against Boise State, so we really made it a priority these last few practices. It was great to see it pay off tonight.”
Young emphasized that 3-point shooting could be a significant part of their strategy moving forward, especially given the range of shooters on this team. The Cougars showcased several players who can stretch the floor, providing Young with the flexibility to keep defenses guessing.
New Faces Show Depth, Injury Precautions Taken
While BYU’s exhibition game showcased fresh faces, a few key players sat out for precautionary reasons. Expected starting point guard Dallin Hall and Fousseyni Traore, one of the team’s primary scorers, didn’t play due to minor health concerns. Young said both were held out as a safety measure and expects them to be ready for the season opener against Central Arkansas. “We’re working with the medical team and just being cautious,” Young explained. “Dallin and Fousseyni should be good to go for Tuesday. Trey (Stewart) might take a little longer, but we’ll see.”
Additionally, Serbian newcomer Mihailo Boskovic entered the game with just over eight minutes left, quickly logging eight points and four rebounds in his brief time on the court. Coach Young reiterated that Boskovic is awaiting final clearance from the NCAA due to questions about his past professional experience overseas.
Final Thoughts on the Game and Moving Forward
There’s a lot to unpack after this dominant performance by BYU. Young's squad demonstrated versatility, talent, and a willingness to share the ball – all elements that could make them a formidable force in the Big 12. But beyond the stats and the highlights, Young’s focus on building a team centered on unselfish play and high-energy basketball seems to be resonating. "This is just the beginning," Young hinted.
Next up, BYU’s season opener against Central Arkansas awaits, and if the Cougars’ preseason debut was any indicator, fans are in for a high-energy season. Whether it’s the sharpshooting from beyond the arc, the remarkable freshmen stepping up to the challenge, or the supportive fanbase filling the stands, this BYU team is one to keep an eye on as the season kicks off.
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