The Syracuse transfer has been in the starting lineup for the Cougars’ first two exhibition games but has been pretty silent on the offensive end, making just 1 of 6 shots from the field in just over 40 minutes of playing time. Betsey earned good reviews from coaches after joining the team during the offseason.

BYU head coach Kevin Young said he isn’t concerned about Betsey’s shooting ability.

“He’s been quiet offensively, mainly because he’s not getting shots,” Young admitted. “But I think he’s been tremendous defensively and that’s really been the area we’ve put a lot of focus on for him is defensive and rebounding. I never worry about his ability to make shots. He can really really shoot it.”

Betsey shot nearly 40% from the 3-point line at Syracuse and at 6-foot-9 and 225 pounds, has the size to compete in the paint. At this point, Young sees Betsey as a solid interior defender to assist big men Jaxon Kohler, Khadim Mboup and Jake Wahlin.

The offense, Young said, will come.

“We haven’t really shown our full offensive package in these preseason games,” he said. “There’s some stuff that we kind of want to hold on to when we get to the real games that I think will allow not just Tyler but even more of our guys to just have a little bit more dynamic nature to what we’re doing offensively.

“I think that will help our ball movement and help us find more threes, so I think he (Betsey) will benefit from that. I’ve been super impressed with his defense in both the exhibition games and what he’s done in practice, and excited about for him him being able to find more shots in these real games.”

In the two exhibition games, Betsey has collected seven rebounds and two assists with a +/- of +7 against Nebraska and +14 against UNLV.

Scouting Report

Ohio State (21-13 overall, 12-8 in Big Ten play) dropped a 66-64 decision to TCU in the first round of last year’s NCAA Tournament.

Leading scorer Bruce Thornton (19.9 points per game) was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, who traded his rights to the Houston Rockets. Forward Devin Royal (13.7 points per game) transferred to Villanova.

The Buckeyes do return a talented lead guard in 6-2 junior John Mobley, who averaged 15.7 points per game last season and made 97 3-point shots. Sophomore forward Amare Bynum (9.7 ppg) also returns from last year’s squad.

Head coach Jake Diebler picked up some good talent from the transfer portal, including 6-4 guard Justin Pippen (14.2 ppg) from Cal and 5th-year guard Jimmie Williams (15.1 ppg) from Duquesne.

Anthony Thompson, a 6-9 freshman from Lebanon, Ohio, is a top 10 recruit expected to make an impact.

Ohio State split a pair of exhibition games, losing to Cincinnati 79-68 and beating Butler 82-73. Against Butler, Bynum scored 23 points and Mobley added 17.

CBS Sports picked the Buckeyes to finish seventh in the Big Ten this season.

“Obviously you’ve got two two good teams who are kind of rebuilt,” Young said. “Both are trying to carve out an identity. At least that’s what’s on my mind. I don’t want to speak for Coach Diebler, but I’d imagine that’s on his mind as well.

“I know I’ve personally liked playing teams from power conferences (to open the season), especially in these NBA arenas. I think that’s that’s something that we’ll look to continue doing.”

Men’s College Basketball

BYU (0-0) vs. Ohio State (0-0)

Monday, 7 p.m. MT

Delta Center, Salt Lake City

TV/Streaming: FS1

Radio: BYU Radio

Live stats: byucougars.com

The Word: Monday is the eighth all-time meeting between BYU and Ohio State, with the Buckeyes leading 4-3. … The last matchup between the Cougars and Buckeyes came in the 1997 Rainbow Classic, 72-65, with Danny Bower making seven 3-pointers for BYU. His daughter, Alex, is a setter on the Cougar women’s volleyball team. … Cougar transfer Jaxon Kohler was 4-2 against the Buckeyes while playing for Michigan State.