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BYU's Richie Saunders (15) celebrates with teammate Elijah Crawford in the locker room after a victory against Arizona State on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Richie Saunders reacts after scoring against Arizona State in a Big 12 men's basketball game at the Marriott Center on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Richie Saunders drives to the basket against Arizona State in a Big 12 men's basketball game at the Marriott Center on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU’s Richie Saunders got some good advice from Cougar legend Danny Ainge.

Saunders posted a career-high 30 points in Tuesday’s 76-56 victory against Arizona State to open Big 12 play, scoring 15 points in each half and making a career-best six 3-pointers.

“Danny Ainge told me this right after I decided to come back (to BYU),” Saunders said after his big performance. “It was right as our team started fitting in. He said with a team of this talent, sometimes you need to come out and put up big numbers. Sometimes you need to get a big board. Sometimes you need to get a steal. This is a team where it happened to be me today. It’s great and I’m glad we got the win. Let’s move on, you know?”

Before moving on, here’s what Cougar coach Kevin Young had to say about Saunders: “He’s a stud. I said it on Day 1, he’s a flat-out stud. The thing I love about him is how hard he plays, No. 1. And No. 2, you don’t have to run stuff for him for him to be able to get shots, though we do run some things for him from time to time. He’s very opportunistic and always looking to be aggressive. I think he takes good shots and puts a ton of pressure on the defense.”

When Mark Pope left for Kentucky, Saunders took a trip to Lexington to check out his options but ultimately decided to return to Provo. He missed all but two minutes against Wyoming on Dec. 14 after suffering an early concussion and didn’t play in the last non-conference game against Florida A&M.

His return against Arizona State showed he was ready to go.

Saunders is averaging 13.9 points per game while shooting 51% from the field and 43% from the 3-point line. He’s tied for the lead on the team in steals (15) and fourth in rebounding (4.1 per game).

“We’re glad to have him back,” said teammate Dawson Baker.

SCOUTING REPORT

Houston opened Big 12 play on Monday with a 60-47 victory against Oklahoma State, holding the Cowboys to 26% shooting (14 of 54) and 21% (4 of 19) from the 3-point line. The Red Cougars are No. 1 in the Big 12 in scoring defense (54.6) and opponent’s field goal percentage (33%).

“I know what their mantra is in terms of their defense and how physical they are,” Young said. “Look, we’re a tough team to prep for. We’ve got shooters all over the floor and they’ve got to pick their poison with our team. I think that allows us to play a little bit more in space that some of our counterparts.”

Houston is 12th in the Big 12 in scoring (76.5 points per game) but hits timely 3-pointers (41%, tops in the league) and gets transition opportunities through their defense. The starting backcourt of LJ Cryer (15.1 points per game), Emanuel Sharp (13.7) and Oklahoma transfer Milos Uzan (9.1 points and five assists per game) is as good as anywhere in college basketball.

“We look forward to it,” Young said. “The fun part of coaching is the chess match part of it. Kelvin (Sampson) is obviously extremely experienced and has built a great program at Houston. One of the reasons the Big 12 was so enticing for me was to go and play against the best coaches and best players, so here we go.”

Men’s College Basketball

BYU (10-2, 1-0 Big 12) at No. 14 Houston (9-3, 1-0 Big 12)

Saturday, noon MT

Fertitta Center, Houston

TV/Streaming: ESPN+

Radio: BYU Radio

Live stats: byucougars.com

The Word: BYU is 3-6 all-time against Houston. … Last season, the Blue Cougars lost to the Red Cougars 75-68 on Jan. 23 in Provo. … BYU’s only win in Houston came in 2019, when TJ Haws hit a shot as time expired for a 72-71 victory. … The Red Cougars are No. 1 in the Big 12 in scoring defense (54.6) and opponent’s field goal percentage (33%). … The Blue Cougars top the Big 12 in 3-pointers made (11.2 per game) and rebounding margin (+13.3).