New pace: BYU’s Young adjusts to slow build up to regular season
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- BYU’s Richie Saunders grabs a rebound against Central Arkansas in a men’s college basketball game at the Marriott Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
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- BYU’s Egor Demin (3) goes in for a layup against Central Arkansas in a men’s college basketball game at the Marriott Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
In addressing questions about his move from the NBA to college hoops, BYU coach Kevin Young has been pretty consistent with his answers.
He’s found a lot of things to be similar — it’s just a round ball going into a hoop, after all — but the large number of practices in preparation for the regular season have been tough for him. In pro ball, he’s used to a much quicker pace.
After the Cougars dispatched Central Arkansas 88-50 in the opener on Tuesday, Young was asked if he was ready for the grind of the regular season with another game just two days away.
“If this was the NBA, we’d be on a flight right now, going somewhere,” he said with a wry smile. “I’m just excited to play as many games we can, honestly. To me, that’s the joy. You just get lost in the moment as soon as that ball goes up. So I don’t mind the short turnarounds. Our guys, our coaches, staff, they’re all really locked in with with the game plans and so forth. So we’ll be ready to go come Friday night, by the way, against a good team.”
He was speaking about UC Riverside, a Big West opponent.
Plenty of attention and praise were heaped on freshmen Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings, not only locally but in the national media, after Tuesday’s win. Demin was terrific in his debut with 18 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and four steals. Catchings contributed 17 points, including 4 of 11 from the 3-point line.
Young had praise for newcomer Mahailo Boskovic (11 points), calling him a “steadying force,” and for returner Richie Saunders, who added 16 points and eight rebounds.
About Saunders, Young said, “I love the guy. I mean, he just does everything you ask. His motor is incredible. I thought he actually got us going a little bit offensively with some of his drives to the basket and his paint attacks. He’s been really, really good for us in training camp early on, and I was happy to see his efficiency out there. He could have scored even more. I kind of sat him for a good chunk there to end the game because the other group was rolling. But he’s a stud.”
Another returner, junior point guard Dallin Hall, has yet to play this season due to injury.
“We’re taking an approach through the medical team that once he’s back, he’s back. You never want to have him in one day out the next. So that’s kind of the approach.”
Scouting Report
UC Riverside is coached by Mike Magpayo, now in his fifth season after leading the Highlanders to a 16-18 overall mark in 2023-24, including a 10-10 record in the Big West. UC Riverside returns Big West Freshman of the Year Barrington Hargress,a 6-foot guard who averaged 12.6 points and 4.5 assists per game last season. Running mate Isaiah Moses (6-1 Jr. G) averaged 12.2 points per game last season.
The Highlanders crushed Cal State-San Marcos 89-61 in an exhibition game and lost to Oregon on Tuesday 91-76. The score is a bit deceiving. The game was tied five times and the lead changed hands 12 times in the first half. It was tied at 28 with 7:46 to go when the Ducks went on a 23-8 run to lead 51-36 at halftime. The Highlanders played Oregon even in the second half (40-40). Hargress finished with 20 points on 4 of 10 from the 3-point line.
Men’s College Basketball
UC Riverside (0-1) at BYU (1-0)
Friday, 7 p.m. MT
Marriott Center, Provo
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: Sirius XM 143/BYU Radio.org/BYU Radio app/KSL 102.7 FM/1160 AM
Live stats: byucougars.com
The Word: BYU had 20 offensive rebounds in the win against Central Arkansas. … The Cougars attempted 44 3-pointers on Tuesday, making 15. … UC Riverside lost to Oregon 91-76 on Tuesday. … The Highlanders return four starters from last year’s squad that posted a 16-18 record.
