BYU’s Kevin Young Compares NCAA Tournament to NBA Finals
DENVER – BYU basketball head coach Kevin Young is experiencing his first NCAA Tournament.
The No. 6 seed BYU Cougars will face the No. 11 seed VCU Rams, champions of the Atlantic 10 Conference, on Thursday.
Ahead of the crucial First-Round game in the “Big Dance,” Young’s BYU team, along with seven other teams in Denver for the NCAA Tournament’s opening rounds, participated in open practices and press conferences on Wednesday.
The games will be held at Ball Arena, home to the NBA’s Denver Nuggets.
Kevin Young Recalls Coaching Experiences in Denver
Young, who previously served as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers, was asked if he had any special memories from his time in Denver during his NBA career.
“I don’t recall the exact record. I know the last time we faced the Nuggets in the Playoffs, they got the better of us. But I think my best memory here was the year we made the NBA Finals and swept them in the Playoffs,” Young shared.
“I also have nightmares about trying to defend the (Jamal) Murray, (Nikola) Jokic duo, which I believe is one of the toughest matchups in basketball. I’m glad we’re not facing that now.”
Young is the first BYU head coach since Roger Reid in 1990 to lead the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance in his inaugural season.
NCAA Tournament Brings Back NBA Finals Memories for Young
The first-year head coach at BYU was asked about his thoughts on the March Madness atmosphere.
“It reminds me of my time in the background, but it’s not quite like the NBA Playoffs. It feels more like the NBA Finals,” Young said. “Everything is heightened. There’s a lot more media coverage.”
Young experienced the NBA Finals with the Suns in 2021, where they lost to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
“I focus a lot on reference points, both with our team and in my career, so that’s what this feels like. It’s exciting. Honestly, this is something I’ve been a fan of since childhood. Every March in the NBA, I’d watch this tournament and think, ‘It must be amazing to coach in March Madness.’ Now, here we are.”
Young aims to lead BYU to its first NCAA Tournament win since 2012. The Cougars haven’t made it past the First Round since 2011, when Jimmer Fredette was their star player.
Should BYU advance, Young’s debut season as head coach would be one to remember.
“It’s a bit surreal, honestly,” Young admitted. “But I’m just thrilled for our players to experience this with this group of guys.”
BYU vs. VCU
First Round – 2025 NCAA Tournament
Location: Denver, Colorado
Arena: Ball Arena
Tip-Off: 2:05 p.m. (MDT)
