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

1. Where does BYU’s double overtime victory at No. 10 Iowa State rank in the annuls of men’s basketball?

DICKSON: First of all, it’s a regular season game, so just about any NCAA Tournament victory would be ranked higher in my book. But as far as a conference game goes, it’s right up there with San Diego State at BYU in the Jimmer years, Gonzaga at BYU in 2020 and several BYU-Utah games.

The drama in Tuesday’s game was simply off the charts. BYU goes more than six minutes to start the game and can’t score. Then the Cougars go up double digits in the first half and by 21 early in the second, only to see the Cyclones come back. It was just sheer will and determination that got BYU to the finish line.

And like most Cougar fans, I’ve seen plenty of road games in the past where BYU takes a lead and can’t hold it. The mental toughness of this team to take every blow Iowa State could muster and still come out on top says a lot about the kind of team Kevin Young is building.

This seven-game winning streak (two wins vs. West Virginia, one each vs. Kansas State, Kansas, Arizona, Oklahoma State and Iowa State) is the greatest conference run I’ve ever seen out of a BYU team.

LLOYD: Individually, I think there are definitely a lot of historic Cougar victories that rank higher than the BYU win at No. 10 Iowa State. Sure, the Cyclones are very good at home and have been solid overall this season, but the Cougars have many better wins than that.

But step back and look at it collectively with what else BYU has done in the past couple of weeks and I would say it was the capstone on one of the best stretches of Cougar basketball ever.

BYU has had some good seasons but getting three wins over ranked opponents including two on the road? That’s uncharted territory.

There is no doubt the Cougars are playing some really good basketball, maximizing their combination of talent, versatility and basketball IQ to find ways to win — as ISU can attest.

But the reality is it will only be a pretty footnote if BYU doesn’t keep getting nice wins in March.

2. There were many terrific plays in the win at Iowa State. Which one stood out the most to you?

LLOYD: It’s great to have a wide assortment of possibilities that could be valid answers to this question, isn’t it?

Dallin Hall’s alley-oop dunk has to be up there, as well as the way BYU stuffed the Cyclones at the end of the first overtime and then again in the second extra period, forcing the shot-clock violation. I thought Trey Stewart’s baseline drive in the first half that helped get the Cougar offense going was underrated.

But the biggest one to me by far was Keba Keita’s monster chase-down block and there are a couple of reasons for that.

The first is that it showcased the BYU mentality that they were willing to go into Iowa State’s house and go t0e-to-toe with the Cyclones in defensive intensity. The Iowa State player was way out in front and Keita refused to just surrender the basket.

The second was the message it sent about this Cougar squad, how it has athleticism and playmakers at both ends of the court. Take BYU out of its offense and force a million turnovers? OK, the Cougars will beat you around the rim like Keita did.

That’s a team that has the potential to beat anyone on any given night.

DICKSON: I sent out on social media that the Trey Stewart alley-oop lob to Dallin Hall for the dunk was the play of the year, only to have Keba Keita provide an amazing defensive play when he chased down an Iowa State fast break and made a block.

Those are the two easy candidates but I’m going with BYU’s last defensive possession in the second overtime.

The Cyclones had pretty much been scoring every time they had the ball and the Cougars locked them down on the perimeter while also not allowing a post pass to Joshua Jefferson, who had been pretty successful in the paint.

Mawot Mag had a terrific close out on Keshon Gilbert and forced a pass in the corner to Milan Momcilovic. Trey Stewart was all over Momcilovic and forced a shot clock violation. That sealed the game right there.

That level of defense was elite and an impressive moment in the game.

3. Do think BYU should be penalized by the NCAA Tournament Committee and given a lower seed because it won’t play on Sunday?

DICKSON: Saw something that made sense the other day, and that is the team that has to play BYU when they are under-seeded is the team that should be worried, because they are playing a lower seed who actually should be higher.

I get why the committee always does this and BYU’s no-Sunday-play policy comes with some problems.

The Cougars haven’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 2012 and the reason is not the under-seeding. It’s that BYU hasn’t been tested enough playing in other conferences.

In the Big 12, that shouldn’t be the case because every game is a battle. It didn’t seem to help the Cougars last year against Duquesne but I think it will be a big factor this season.

LLOYD: This is another one of those things that is fun for fans and observers to talk about, but I hope never even gets brought up in the BYU locker room.

Will BYU’s seed be adjusted because of its religious views? It’s quite likely. The committee often doesn’t have a lot of choice.

But if I believe I’m part of a great team, I could care less about my seed. Roll the ball out there and my guys will just go win, whether we are a No. 1 seed, a No. 16 seed or anywhere in between.

At some point, most teams have to take down a really good opponent to advance, so just find a way.

4. BYU spring football is here! How’s it going?

LLOYD: It’s been a good start for the Cougars in camp, mostly due to the fact that there are so many BYU players who are back.

I wondered whether there would be any complacency but what I see from when we get the chance to watch is a group of athletes and coaches who saw the results from being pushed really hard during 2024. They want the results, so they are putting in the work.

I also think that Kalani Sitake is right to make sure camp is physical. Football is a violent game and you can’t play fearfully. You have to be willing to take the risks to have the benefits and that will be beneficial when fall camp rolls around.

DICKSON: Pretty much like it always goes. Media is allowed to watch 15-20 minutes a couple of times a week and then I get to laugh at all the experts declaring how much they learned from it.

There are usually a couple of things that interest me in spring ball. One is who is actually on the roster and participating. The other is it’s always good to get eyes on the freshman and transfers, just to see how they move around and make plays in the limited viewing sessions. Other than that, it’s just a grind for coaches and players to get to know each other and the system.

Most schools are foregoing a spring game because it gives too much film for others to poach their players, which is a shame because the spring game was a chance for fans to get eyes on next year’s team.

5. How do you like BYU’s chances this weekend against USC in men’s volleyball at the Smith Fieldhouse?

DICKSON: This team is so close to being elite, but so far has proven to be good, not great.

I think a lot depends on getting a better offensive push from Luke Benson and maybe Miks Ramanis, who didn’t play early in the season but is starting to come along. The key to a good offense is plenty of options so the opposition can’t lock in on just one or two guys.

And, of course, serve and serve receive. All coaches beat that drum endlessly. The Cougars can always be better in that category.

I think BYU can sweep USC and win both matches, taking advantage of the home court and home fans. But the Trojans will be a good challenge, especially since the Cougars didn’t have any matches last week.

LLOYD: I’d like to say I have a lot of faith in BYU, since it has won four straight and it will be playing at home — but I’m not there yet.

The harsh reality is that the Cougars have struggled against Top 5 opposition, including two losses in the Smith Fieldhouse to Hawaii.

Now No. 5 USC is in town and that gives BYU another opportunity. But the Cougars can’t afford another sweep. They need to get at least one win in the two-game set.

If they do (or win both), I think that can be a springboard heading through the rest of the season. Two more losses, though, would certainly dampen BYU’s prospects at long-term success against elite opponents.