3 Key Takeaways from BYU Basketball’s Big 12 Tournament Exit
Several important lessons for the Cougars to take from their conference tournament experience.
The Big 12 Tournament served as a valuable challenge for the BYU Cougars, with exciting games against Iowa State and another showdown with the other Big 12 Cougars. It provided many insights into the team, and hopefully, they took away lessons about themselves as well.
1. BYU Can Compete with Anyone
BYU has consistently demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level. They’ve beaten Iowa State, a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament, twice in the past two weeks, including a victory on Iowa State’s home court in Ames. They dominated Kansas in Provo, defeated both Arizona and Arizona State on their home floors, and finished fourth in the highly competitive Big 12 Conference. This is all impressive, considering it’s only BYU’s second season in the conference.
Coach Young summed it up perfectly: “You’re not punking BYU. We’re doing the punking!”
2. Houston is a Powerhouse
BYU’s semifinal matchup against Houston highlighted perhaps the only team in the Big 12 that they couldn’t quite match up with. Yet. And the power in “yet” speaks volumes.
The second 20+ point loss to the Houston Cougars clearly demonstrated why they’re a top title contender and a #1 seed in the Midwest region.
Houston boasts the top defensive efficiency in the nation, the second-best scoring defense, and the second-best overall defense, according to KenPom. There’s no doubt that head coach Kelvin Sampson is highly skilled, and his teams are known for their toughness.
3. This BYU Team Has Potential for Something Special
It’s been quite some time since BYU won an NCAA Tournament game, with their last victory coming against Iona in the First Four back in 2012 when Richie Saunders was just 12 years old.
This current BYU team feels different—there’s a distinct vibe in the coaching, the players’ attitude, and the overall energy. This squad exudes a confidence and swagger the Cougars have lacked for years.
This became especially clear during the Big 12 quarterfinal against Iowa State. It was a tough environment, against a strong opponent, and in the past, BYU might have faltered in this scenario. But this time, it was different. The nation’s eyes were on BYU.
While the tournament may not have ended as many fans hoped, there’s a lot to be optimistic about. Reaching the semifinals in one of the country’s toughest conferences is no small feat, and hopefully, it has sharpened the Cougars for a strong March run.
