16 Reasons to Celebrate BYU’s Remarkable Sweet 16 Season

Kevin Young’s inaugural season in Provo was a huge success, providing Cougar fans with plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Although BYU’s crushing loss in the Sweet 16 to an unstoppable Alabama squad left a sour taste in the mouths of Cougar fans, the 2024-25 season stands as one of the best in school history. Here are 16 reasons to appreciate this year’s memorable Sweet 16 squad:

1. Kevin Young’s Validation. BYU’s hiring of one of the NBA’s top assistant coaches shocked the college basketball world. After some early struggles, Coach Young’s system clicked when it counted most late in the year. The rookie head coach has proven to be a genius at in-game adjustments and maximizing his team’s potential.

2. Richie Saunders’ Breakout. Saunders transformed from an energy player to a game-changing All-Big 12 First Team selection. He was the driving force behind BYU’s success and has potential for an NBA future, if teams can overlook his age.

3. Egor Demin’s Passing and Promise. The 6-foot-9 freshman point guard from Russia shows vision and poise reminiscent of Magic Johnson. While his turnovers were an issue at times, his selection to the Big 12 All-Freshman team and Honorable Mention All-Big 12 highlight his immense potential. He is likely to be a first-round NBA draft pick, giving BYU fans a professional player to cheer for.

4. Honoring the Veteran Seniors. Seniors Trevin Knell, Fousseyni Traore, and Trey Stewart capped their careers in Provo on a high note. They contributed significantly, with Knell knocking down 3-pointers, Fouss dominating the post, and Stewart playing lockdown defense in the second half of the season.

5. Mastering the Transfer Portal. Transfers Keba Keita (Utah) and Mawot Mag (Rutgers) played pivotal roles in BYU’s success, particularly on defense. Keita’s decision to leave Utah for BYU made it even sweeter.

6. Finishing Third in the Big 12. After surprising many by finishing fifth in the Big 12 the previous year, BYU solidified its position among the conference’s elite by finishing third in the standings this year.

7. The Nine-Game Conference Win Streak. BYU was on the NCAA Tournament bubble for most of the season, but a road win over West Virginia on February 11th sparked a nine-game conference win streak, as the Cougars finished the season as one of the hottest teams in the country.

8. Destroying Kansas. As part of their winning streak, BYU routed the Kansas Jayhawks 91-57 in one of the most memorable nights in Marriott Center history.

9. Defeating Iowa State Twice. In early March, BYU traveled to No. 10 Iowa State and pulled off a thrilling double-overtime victory. A week later, they faced the now-No. 12 Cyclones in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals and once again emerged victorious, 96-92.

10. Toppling Arizona. During the nine-game win streak, BYU traveled to Tucson for a crucial game against No. 19 Arizona. Despite the tough environment at McKale Center, the Cougars pulled off an upset, with Richie Saunders hitting free throws in the final seconds for a dramatic win.

11. Breaking the March Madness Curse. BYU had suffered two early exits as a No. 6 seed in the previous four years, leaving fans feeling cursed. But with a dominant win over VCU in the first round, the 2024-25 team erased those past tournament failures.

12. Upsetting 3-Seed Wisconsin in Round 2. To further dispel the tournament curse, BYU took down 3-seed Wisconsin in the second round, propelling them into the Sweet 16.

13. Retaining – and Justifying – AJ Dybantsa. When BYU was struggling early in the season at 1-3 in conference play, there was concern that top recruit AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 prospect for 2026, might reconsider his commitment. His decision to stick with Coach Young has proven to be a wise one, showing faith in his vision.

14. Attracting Top Recruits. This season showcased to top recruits that Coach Young is an exceptional coach, capable of providing a national platform and developing players for the NBA. The “PROvo” model has proven effective.

15. Return on Booster Investments. Success in college sports generates a positive feedback loop. Winning teams attract more investments from boosters, which translates into more wins, further fueling investment. Kevin Young’s first season has ensured the continued flow of financial support into his program.

16. This Is Just the Beginning. Some teams with veteran players reach the Sweet 16 after years of effort, only to see it as their ceiling. BYU’s Sweet 16 run in Kevin Young’s first season suggests that the Cougars are only scratching the surface of their potential greatness.