It’s only been one game, but he said he’s already pretty comfortable with what he’s working with this season.

“It feels the cleanest it’s been, I would say, since being here,” Young admitted after Monday’s 94-83 victory against Ohio State at the Delta Center.

Based on two exhibitions and Game 1, Young is settled on a starting five of Robert Wright III, Collin Chandler, Bruce Branch III, Tyler Betsey and Jaxon Kohler. Only one of those players (Wright) was a starter for the Cougars last season, though Kohler and Chandler started 100 games between them at Michigan State and Kentucky, respectively.

Off the bench, Young used Jake Wahlin (15:27), Khadim Mboup (14:20), Brooks Bahr (13:59) and Nate Pickens (7:39). Those four players combined for eight points on 3 of 6 shooting (including a 3-pointer from Pickens) and had five rebounds, two assists and just one turnover against Ohio State. Those players are mostly known for their defensive abilities so at least some of the nonconference slate will be used to determine if there is offense to be found coming off the bench.

Courtesy BYU Photo

“Dawson (Baker) is obviously going to come in and have something to say about that,” Young said. “I look forward to what he can bring to the table from a scoring standpoint, but at the same time, we have a run of games now where we might experiment a little bit more. I want to get Dean (freshman Dean Rueckert) some burn. Brody (Kozlowski) is a guy that’s worked his tail off to get back into the mix, and so I look forward to giving those guys an opportunity. We had a pretty clear plan of attack for this particular game, given the strength of the opponent. On the first night, we kind of wanted to rely on some of that experience.

“I look forward to doing what we can with those other young guys. But at the same time, I think this felt good tonight in terms of how we subbed it.”

Being a dog is good

Bahr, who returned from his church mission this spring, has proven to be a energy guy and ballhawk off the bench on the guard line.

“He’s earned that role in practice,” Young said. “He’s earned that role to come in and sort of be that backup ‘1.’ He’s a dog, you know? He’s an absolute dog. That’s just how he wakes up, doing stuff like that.

Courtesy BYU Photo

“I had a nice little conversation with him because he had the one where he’s a little too aggressive, put their best player on the free throw line. He has to bottle it up more. But he’s a guy that Cougar Nation is going to fall in love with if they already haven’t.”

Scouting Report

Omaha lost eight seniors or fifth-year players from last year’s 16-17 team, three of which were double digit scorers. Leading scorer Paul Djobet (17.5 points per game) hit the transfer portal and ended up at Texas State.

The Mavericks have seven transfers on this year’s roster led by 6-5 senior guard Cahmani Crosby (North Texas), who scored 21 points in a 73-65 exhibition win against NAIA school Mid-American Christian on Monday.

Omaha also lost to Minnesota 72-52 in exhibition play.

Two seasons ago the Mavericks won the Summit League regular season and tournament titles to earn a No. 15 seed in March Madness. Omaha’s post-season journey ended with a first-round loss to Big East champ St. John’s.

Men’s College Basketball

Omaha (0-0) at No. 25 BYU (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m. MT

Marriott Center, Provo

TV/Streaming: ESPN+

Radio: BYU Radio

Live stats: byucougars.com

The Word: This is the first meeting between BYU and Omaha. … The Mavericks last made the NCAA Tournament in 2025. … Omaha was picked to finish fourth in the Summit League preseason poll. … BYU plays its next four games in the Marriott Center before traveling to Hawaii for the Southwest Maui Classic on Nov. 23.