Kevin Young called BYU’s upset win over Iowa State this past Saturday “the most important thing that’s happened this season.” But now, the challenge is to transform that victory into sustained success.
Riding high on newfound confidence, the Cougars are set to host UCF Tuesday night, aiming to build momentum as the regular season nears its end. “The bottom line is we executed for 40 minutes against Iowa State, and we played extremely hard,” Young shared during his Monday press briefing.
“Our guys understand the significance of that win, and they know it’s crucial to step up now. UCF is tied with us in the standings, so there’s no time to waste in building on our success.”
The late 9 p.m. MST tip against the Knights marks BYU’s final Quad 2 matchup of the regular season, with three Quad 1 contests looming before the Big 12 tournament.
UCF is no pushover, ranking higher in NET at No. 46 compared to BYU’s upcoming opponents, West Virginia and Cincinnati. With both teams tied at 8-6 in conference play, UCF boasts wins over No.
14 Kansas and No. 16 Texas Tech.
UCF features four players averaging double figures, with Themus Fulks standing out as a top point guard, averaging 14.0 points and 6.7 assists per game while shooting 43% from beyond the arc.
“What I see on tape is a lot of talented one-on-one players. They’re big, strong, and know how to exploit matchups,” Young said of UCF. “We’ll need solid one-on-one defense and teamwork to guard them effectively.”
UCF recently edged out a 73-71 victory at Utah, making them 2-0 in the mountain time zone. Young respects their road prowess but remains focused on his team’s readiness for the challenge.
“You respect their ability to win on the road, but in our league, any team can beat another on a given night,” Young said. “This is a massive game for both teams, and our guys are ready.”
For BYU, contributions beyond stars AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright III are a key reason for optimism, especially following Richie Saunders’ injury. The Cougars have shown urgency in recent games, starting strong against both Arizona and Iowa State.
“I think the guys understand our game plan better now, allowing them to play harder and freer,” Young noted. “That’s been a big difference lately.”
Rebounding played a crucial role in BYU’s win over Iowa State, where they dominated the boards 39-28. UCF, conversely, has struggled in this area, losing the rebounding battle in their last five games.
“Rebounding remains a concern without Richie, but guys like Mihailo Boskovic and Khadim Mboup have stepped up,” Young said. “When rebounding is our strength, we’re tough to beat because it fuels our transition game.”
A win on Tuesday not only helps BYU in the standings but also builds crucial momentum for the rest of the season. As Young puts it, it’s all about “stacking days.”
“Ultimately, you want the best seeding for the Big 12 or NCAA tournaments,” Young said. “But the key is playing at a high level now and executing for 40 minutes.”