Everything BYU Head Coach Kevin Young Said Ahead of Sweet 16 Matchup vs. Alabama
A full transcript of Coach Kevin Young’s comments before BYU faces Alabama in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
Brigham Young Cougars’ head coach Kevin Young reacts during the first half against VCU Rams in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images.
The 6-seed BYU men’s basketball team held a practice Wednesday in Newark, N.J., to prepare for their Sweet 16 matchup against 2-seed Alabama on Thursday night.
Head coach Kevin Young addressed the media after practice. Here’s everything he had to say:
Full Transcript
Transcript courtesy of ASAP Sports.
KEVIN YOUNG: We’re definitely excited to be here. It’s a great feeling to have advanced in this tournament and be in a position to continue playing. Alabama is a fantastic team, well-coached, and they’ll present a tough challenge for us.
We feel like we have our guys in a good mental place, and we’re just looking forward to the game.
Q. It seems you’ve done a great job utilizing your substitutes, and your depth appears comparable to Alabama’s. It seems like your defensive approach has evolved in the last 15 games. Is that accurate? What’s your strategy behind this?
KEVIN YOUNG: It’s definitely a bit of madness, as I never expected to be playing 11 guys this late in the season. Usually, you tend to narrow the rotation. But I think it’s been about learning from the group. This is a new team for me, and it’s been a significant learning curve all season long.
Regarding defense, it has evolved. We feel that Mawot has been valuable, especially on the perimeter against the opposing team’s best player. Trey Stewart has been able to provide relief at times as well.
We’ve always got someone on the court who can compete with the dynamic guards we face. This, along with playing a lot of guys, has brought us closer as a team and helped create momentum.
Q. You mentioned the learning curve. How has your NBA background helped you in college? Do you find that it influences recruiting and coaching elite players?
KEVIN YOUNG: My NBA experience has helped me a lot, especially with reference points. In the NBA, I was fortunate to be part of successful teams that made deep playoff runs. Those experiences shaped my approach to preparing for opponents and stopping elite players. I often reference those game plans with the coaching staff and players.
The spacing in the NBA differs from college basketball, and that’s something I emphasize. Shot selection and style of play are aspects we’ve incorporated from my NBA experience.
In recruiting, I made it a point to make BYU the best place for players who want to reach the league. I think we’re on track. Our development infrastructure, which includes a head strength coach from the Bucks and a nutritionist from the Suns, helps build that pathway for players.
Q. How do you adjust your leadership approach when coaching NBA players versus college athletes, particularly in terms of holding players accountable?
KEVIN YOUNG: I’d say it’s a bit easier to hold college players accountable, as they don’t have the same level of experience to push back as much. That’s not to say NBA players aren’t receptive, though. In the NBA, players want to win, and if you can help them do that, they’ll listen. My goal was always to be steady and earn their trust.
In college, the dynamic is similar. If you can prove that what you’re teaching will help them win and improve individually, they buy in. It’s easier in college, as players are more focused on developing.
Q. Your success at BYU is impressive. How much credit does the donor base deserve for this?
KEVIN YOUNG: If you can find a school where the donor base doesn’t deserve credit, let me know! That’s a key factor in today’s college sports landscape. At BYU, I came because of the pride in the school and the passionate fan base. The alumni are incredibly successful, and many remain in Utah, helping foster a thriving community of business leaders and innovators.
BYU is set up for success. But what’s really important is having all the necessary components — systems, player development, a style of play, and a blueprint. We’re working to check all those boxes.
Q. As one of the few assistants to move to a college job, do you think G-League and college jobs are becoming more similar?
KEVIN YOUNG: I’m happy to see my colleagues getting these opportunities. I’ve been close with many of them, and it’s great that they’re finding stability for their families. College jobs do provide a level of stability that NBA roles sometimes don’t.
Regarding the G-League, I spent a lot of time there, and I can see similarities with college coaching. Back then, the turnover in the G-League was immense, with players constantly being called up. Now, the similarities between the NBA, G-League, and college basketball are growing as those worlds start to merge.
Q. With your exposure to international players in the NBA and G-League, how has that influenced your approach to building your roster?
KEVIN YOUNG: My experience working with international players has certainly influenced how I approach roster construction. International players often bring a different perspective, and their backgrounds in basketball add valuable diversity to the team dynamic. This broader approach helps create a well-rounded roster that can compete on multiple fronts.
