Cougars better with Keita on the floor
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- BYU’s Keba Keita blocks a shot against Wisconsin in a men’s college basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
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- BYU’s Mihailo Boskovic (5) passes the ball in a men’s college basketball game against Abilene Christian at the Marriott Center on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
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- BYU’s Khadim Mboup (7) handles the ball in a men’s college basketball game against Abilene Christian at the Marriott Center on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
BYU’s 85-67 victory against Abilene Christian on Saturday in the Marriott Center was played without starting center Keba Keita, who missed the game due to illness.
A cursory look at Keita’s statistics reveals an effective post player: In 20.1 minutes per game, Keita averages 7.1 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 64.5% from the floor. He’s improved his free throw percentage from 41.1% last season to 66.7% in 2025. The 6-foot-8 senior leads the Cougars in offensive rebounds (25) and blocks (21) to go along with 15 steals.
Those numbers don’t begin to approach the real value of Keita’s impact on the game, especially on the defensive end.
“It’s clear that his impact on the game is everywhere,” BYU senior guard Richie Saunders said. I’m proud of the guys for stepping up, Khadim Mboup and Mahailo (Boskovic) are doing really well. But Keba, you can’t replace Keba.”
Mboup made his first career start against Abilene Christian, totaling six points, ten rebounds, three blocks, one assist, on steal and three turnovers.
“He did what he did,” BYU head coach Kevin Young said. “The moment starting wasn’t too big for him. He plays with a great motor. The thing I was the most proud of was his three blocks and and Mahailo had three blocks. I was extremely disappointed in some of our rim protection last game. That was a point of emphasis coming into this game. So I like that specifically.”
Young also recognizes what a game-changer Keita can be.
“Keba is unbelievable in there, you know? And so when he’s out, that leaves a gaping hole. We talked about some different options. I thought about starting Xavion (Staton), to be honest. Ultimately we decided to start Khadim and I thought he responded in a pretty positive way. That was his second game in a row with double-digit rebounds. He’s doing some good things for us. He’s obviously a freshman, so to be able to learn and play is beneficial.”
Boskovic scored five points, grabbed two rebounds and blocked three shots in 19 minutes on Friday.
Keita is expected to be healthy enough to play Monday against Eastern Washington. The Cougars are getting some more help in the post because former G League player Abdullah Ahmed, a 6-10 center who signed with BYU in November, will reportedly be available to play on Monday.
Dunk you very much
Fans and players alike responded in various ways to freshman AJ Dybantsa’s stunning follow dunk on Friday. Dybantsa himself often saves his best reactions for when Saunders goes up and slams the ball.
“Because, see, Richie don’t dunk in practice,” Dybantsa said. “I said the same thing with Dawson (Baker), when he was playing, they don’t dunk in practice. When he (Saunders) gets in a game, he drives and he acts like he’s laying it up and he just goes up with two hands, I’m like, I didn’t know you had that in you.”
Saunders’ responded, looking at Dybantsa, “He’s not a believer.”
Dybantsa also commented on a social media video showing Young dunking. Was it legit?
“Sadly,” the freshman said with a smile. “But that was ten years ago.”
Grading out
Dybantsa scored a season-best 35 points against Abilene Christian, including making 17 of 20 from the foul line. Afterward, he was asked about his defense.
” Me, I would have gave it higher, but Tim Fanning, our defensive coach, probably would have said, like, it’s a C plus. So I guess I gotta go see.”
Scouting Report
Eastern Washington is led by former Gonzaga and Minnesota coach Dan Monson, who is in his second year in Cheney. The Eagles finished 10-22 last season and are off to a slow start in 2025-26, falling to 2-10 after Saturday’s 101-77 loss at Utah.
The Eagles were picked to finish in a tie for fifth (out of ten teams) in the Big Sky preseason poll and are No. 276 in the NET rankings.
EWU’s win have come against Kansas City (90-66) and NAIA squad Eastern Oregon (91-73), though it did push Colorado to overtime before losing 102-97.
UC-Riverside transfer guard Isaiah Moses leads EWU in scoring at 17.6 points per game.
Men’s College Basketball
No. 10 BYU (11-1) vs. Eastern Washington (2-10)
Monday, 7 p.m. MT
Marriott Center, Provo
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: KSL 102.7/1160 AM, BYU Radio-Sirus XM 143
Live stats: byucougars.com
The Word: The Cougars have won 25 consecutive non-conference home games. … BYU is 3-0 all-time against Eastern Washington, last winning 91-34 in 2009. After the Eagles scored the opening basketball, the Cougars went on a 33-0 run. … BYU opens Big 12 play on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Kansas State.
