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Cincinnati's Ody Oguama (left) battles for a loose ball with BYU's Trevin Knell during a Big 12 men's basketball game at the Marriott Center on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2024.

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

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BYU coach Mark Pope reacts to a missed shot during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Baylor, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Waco, Texas.

Gareth Patterson, AP Photo

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BYU guard Dallin Hall (30) dunks as Baylor guard RayJ Dennis (10) watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Waco, Texas.

Gareth Patterson, AP Photo

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BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) throws against Oklahoma during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Provo, Utah.

Rick Bowmer, AP Photo

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BYU's Kaylee Smiler (11) defends against Houston in a Big 12 women's basketball game at the Fertitta Center on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.

Austin Rustand, BYU Women's Basketball

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Daily Herald sports writers Darnell Dickson and Jared Lloyd give their opinions on the hot BYU sports topics this week:

1. Why has the BYU men’s basketball team struggled with two losses to start Big 12 play after a good preseason?

DICKSON: Somebody remarked on social media that every game in the Big 12 is like an NCAA Tournament game. More accurately, every team you play has the talent to be an NCAA Tournament team.

Right now, the Cougars have shown they can play competitively in the league, They had leads in games against Cincinnati and Baylor. Finishing games will obviously be critical.

BYU also has to adjust to how the Big 12 is being officiated. So far, the Cougars have been on the short end of a lot of calls. Those tend to even up but it’s important to find your balance.

In addition, two players who had been key in the preseason, Noah Waterman and Jaxson Robinson, have struggled to find their offense in the first two Big 12 games.

BYU needs everyone to step up and play better. It doesn’t get any easier this weekend because the Cougars next opponent, UCF, knocked off No. 3 Kansas on Wednesday.

LLOYD: It’s a simple matter of finishing — and frankly I’m not really surprised it’s something the Cougars are not doing well right now.

BYU hadn’t been really tested since the Utah loss in early December, so when the competition ramped up the Cougars haven’t been able to maintain a high level of play for 40 minutes. That allowed both Cincinnati and Baylor to rally from deficits and make the key plays down the stretch.

You can play a good 25 minutes and beat teams like Wyoming or Denver. You have to play at least 30-35 good minutes to have a chance to win in the Big 12 this year.

I think BYU is capable of being a lot better late in games than it has in the last two — but if doesn’t figure out a way to do that soon, the defeats are going to pile up.

2. Should Cougar fans be nervous about the direction of the men’s hoops squad?

LLOYD: I think it’s too early to run around yelling about the sky falling for this BYU team.

Yes, going 0-2 isn’t ideal. And the game at UCF on Saturday looks more daunting after the Knights knocked off No. 3-ranked Kansas.

But I see a lot of veteran Cougar players who should recognize what needs to be done to prevent an extended swoon in January. Focus on taking care of the little things and playing smart basketball, and the wins will come.

Playing in a league that is so jam-packed with talent means that everyone will be scrapping for every win they can get. BYU just needs to be sure it matches that intensity and it will get some big plays as well.

So everyone take a deep breath. Let’s see what happens in the next couple of games.

If BYU goes 0-5 or 0-6, then I’ll say there is reason for concern.

DICKSON: Everyone knew what was coming when BYU entered the Big 12. After a stellar preseason, maybe the expectations were a little too high.

This is still a program in transition. Playing in the West Coast Conference, the Cougars were expected to win every game except the matchups with Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s.

There are no games you are expected to win in the Big 12. Every one of the teams from top to bottom can beat you. There is an adjustment from preseason to league play and the first two games showed that BYU is making that adjustment.

Playing Baylor tough on the road showed the players are starting to figure out what kind of effort it will take to win games in the Big 12. Patience isn’t something BYU fans are used to showing, but it will be needed.

And you want to be playing your best ball in March, so trust the process.

3. Which injury situation do you think will have the biggest impact on how well the Cougars do on the hardwood in the next few months?

DICKSON: It’s a good thing BYU has a lot of depth this year because they are going to need it to survive in the Big 12.

Certainly Dawson Baker will be missed if he decides on surgery for his foot but he’s not played a lot of minutes anyway.  Fousseyni Traore looked more himself at Baylor. I would expect Jaxson Robinson to start making progress after his sprained ankle as well.

This league is such a physical grind that I think there will be one or two other injuries that will occur down the road. That means some of the bench players like Trey Stewart and Richie Saunders will have to be ready for more minutes.

LLOYD: While the situations with Dawson Baker (likely done) and Fousseyni Traore (still getting back to full go) are clearly big and extremely impactful, I’m going to go a different direction.

That’s because I haven’t seen the same Jaxson Robinson on the court since he suffered a sprain in late December.

The senior guard scored 17 points or more in seven of BYU’s first 10 games while shooting 50% or better from the field seven times. Those numbers have dropped significantly since he got hurt.

Robinson has totaled just 25 point in the last three games while hitting 10-of-33 shots from the field (30.3%).

The Cougars are certainly hoping that this is a temporary drop-off and that Robinson will be back to being his dynamic sixth-man presence soon. But if the injury lingers and Robinson continues to struggle, it will change what BYU will be able to accomplish going forward.

4. Who is your way-too-early pick to be BYU’s starting quarterback when the 2024 season rolls around?

LLOYD: It’s certainly unlikely that every quarterback currently on the roster will still be in Provo when September roles around. In the modern age of the transfer portal, the favorite could end up deciding to move on.

That means guessing about starting jobs in January is even more ludicrous, but why not take a stab, right?

I’m going to say it will be Jake Retzlaff who trots out for the first series when the Cougars take the field for the first time and here’s why:

He has the most on-field experience at BYU and the Cougars saw glimpses of what he is capable of last year. With another year under his belt, he’ll be more comfortable and accurate in making his reads.

Former Baylor QB Gerry Bohanon will certainly be a trendy pick and for good reason. He’s played elite football and would love to get back to doing it again.

He’s got to show the Cougars, however, that he can run the offense effectively and avoid injury, which is easier said than done.

DICKSON: I was co-hosting on Ben Criddle’s radio show this week and we had Bohanon on as a guest. I have to say I was impressed with what I heard from the former Baylor and USF quarterback.

After his injury there were moments he wasn’t sure if he would ever play college football again. His rehab was long and painful but he’s back at full strength.

I think his mental approach to the game, plus his dual threat capabilities, give him an edge in the quarterback battle.

I certainly wouldn’t count out Jake Retzlaff, though. I realize he had some turnover issues but he has such a strong belief in himself and an attacking mentality.

Bringing in Treyson Bourguet from Western Michigan spices things up as well. Who’s going to get the reps in spring ball? That will go a long way in figuring out who will win the job.

5. The BYU women’s basketball team hasn’t found its groove in league play, going 0-4. What needs to change for the Cougars?

DICKSON: It’s too bad Amber Whiting doesn’t have her planned roster to work with this season. That group was deeper and more talented, but injuries and defections have really hurt.

Right now, the Cougars are only seven deep in their rotation and in most games, have to overcome more physically talented opponents. That has resulted in tired turnovers and defense when it counts.

There’s really no way to solve the athleticism issue this year. That will have to come through recruiting.

As for this season, BYU has to start valuing the ball better. It had 25 turnovers against Houston. The Cougars came back twice from double-digit deficits to get back into the game but all of those turnovers just make it too easy for opponents to get on runs.

I think freshman Amari Whiting is improving as a point guard but the other players have to be stronger with the ball. Cut those turnovers in half and BYU will start picking up some victories in a very tough league.

LLOYD: I think the majority of BYU’s problems are on the mental side of the game. Certainly part of that is due to having a young roster (just two seniors) but the veterans are making costly mistakes out there as well.

I see the Cougars trying to force things regularly and paying the price by having opponents take the ball away. Sometimes somethings as simple as a pass around the horn on the perimeter is an adventure for BYU because the Cougars don’t seem to be as savvy as they should be about what the defense is doing.

Better passing, better off-ball movement, and better footwork on defense will make a world of difference for BYU. Lauren Gustin is still doing a great job on the boards and the Cougars have solid shooters.

I don’t know if BYU will find a way to get things rectified this season, since it hasn’t done it to this point. Still, incremental improves will make a big difference in getting the Cougars that first Big 12 win.

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