How good will BYU men’s basketball be in 2022-23?

With ten new roster members, that’s very hard to say.

What is known, as of Wednesday, at least, is the final non-conference schedule for the Cougars. BYU has eight home games and begins with an exhibition against Ottawa (Ariz.) on November 2.

Other home games include the home opener on November 7 against Idaho State, Missouri State on November 16, Nicholls State on November 19, Utah Valley on December 7, Western Oregon on December 15, Utah on December 17, Lindenwood on December 20 and Weber State on December 22.

The Cougars will travel to Viejas Arena to play San Diego State on November 11 and for the first time will participate in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. The Cougars open with USC on November 23 and will play two other games in the tournament. The other teams in the field include Tennessee, Butler, Dayton, Kansas, North Carolina State and Wisconsin.

BYU has scheduled back-to-back games at Vivint Smart Home Arena, facing Westminster on November 29 and South Dakota on December 3. The Cougars rematch with Creighton will take place December 10 at Michelob Lite ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

BYU begins WCC play in December 29 in Stockton, Calif., against Pacific and return home two days late to play Portland in the Marriott Center.

Last season, BYU finished 24-11 overall and 9-6 in WCC play. The Cougars advanced to the third round of the National Invitational Tournament before losing in the Marriott Center to Washington State, 77-58.

BYU’s lost two players to graduation in leading scorer Alex Barcello and point guard Te’Jon Lucas. Six other players left the program or transferred, including Gavin Baxter (Utah), Hunter Erickson (Utah), Seneca Knight (Illinois State), Caleb Lohner (Baylor), Jeremy DowDell (Westminster) and Nate Hansen.

The Cougars added ten new players, including returned missionaries Dallin Hall, Richie Saunders and Tanner Toolson, plus Rudi Williams (Coastal Carolina), Jaxon Robinson (Arkansas) and Noah Watterman (Detroit Mercy) from the transfer portal and a number of walk-ons.

BYU fans will get their first look at the new roster October 26 in the Blue and White Game at the Marriott Center.

WCC renews contract with Orleans Arena for conference tournament

The West Coast Conference and Boyd Gaming have announced a contract extension that will keep the University Credit Union WCC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas through 2025, continuing a relationship that began in 2009.

The 2023 University Credit Union WCC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament will be held from March 2-7, with the men’s and women’s champion earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

“Our goal is to put on a world-class conference tournament, both in terms of the student-athlete experience and fan engagement,” said WCC Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “We are excited to extend this valuable partnership with The Orleans and Boyd Gaming that brings together the combination of an outstanding venue with elite basketball. The Orleans and Boyd Gaming have proven to be excellent partners for over a decade.”

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