BYU Looks to Bounce Back in High-Stakes Clash with No. 8 Houston
Saturday night’s Big 12 showdown between No. 16 BYU and No.
8 Houston isn’t just another conference game-it’s a gut check. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m.
MT at the Marriott Center, where a sellout crowd is expected to bring the energy. But for BYU fans, this one might be watched through fingers and half-covered eyes.
The Cougars are in the middle of a rough stretch, and the timing couldn’t be more challenging.
From 16-1 to Searching for Answers
Not long ago, BYU was sitting pretty at 16-1 and climbing to No. 7 in the AP poll. But the wheels have wobbled since then.
The Cougars have dropped four of their last five, including three straight-home against No. 1 Arizona, on the road at No.
13 Kansas, and most recently a tough loss at Oklahoma State.
The common thread? Defensive breakdowns-specifically, an inability to keep opposing guards out of the paint.
Over the past three games, BYU has surrendered an average of 91.7 points while letting opponents shoot a blistering 55% from the field. That’s not just a problem; it’s a red flag.
And it’s not like they’ve been getting bullied by dominant post players. It’s been guards getting downhill, getting to the rim, and getting buckets.
Arizona’s Brandon Burries and Jalon Bradley combined for 55. Kansas guards put up 53, with Darynn Peterson dropping 18 in the first half alone.
Oklahoma State’s backcourt torched BYU for 62, including a 30-point night from Anthony Roy.
Against the Cowboys, BYU gave up 52 points in the paint-20 of OSU’s 35 made field goals came right at the rim. That’s not just a schematic issue. That’s a matter of pride and perimeter resistance.
Kevin Young Doesn’t Sugarcoat It
Head coach Kevin Young didn’t mince words during his weekly coaches show.
“Our defense was abysmal,” Young said. “It was awful, there’s no other way to say it. Our 1-on-1 defense was pathetic.”
He’s not wrong. Young pointed out that straight-line drives are killing BYU, and that’s not something you can fix with a whiteboard and a timeout. It’s about individual accountability-staying in front of your man and not letting the ball get into the teeth of the defense.
Turnovers have only made things worse. BYU’s transition defense has been exposed after giveaways, allowing teams to run out and score easy buckets before the Cougars can even get set.
So, what’s the fix? Take care of the ball.
Guard your yard. It sounds simple, but doing it against a team like Houston is anything but.
Here Comes Houston
If BYU is looking for a get-right game, this isn’t it.
Houston is as tough as they come-especially on the defensive end. Kelvin Sampson’s squad leads the Big 12 in scoring defense (63.3 ppg), opponent field goal percentage (.400), and forced turnovers (14.3 per game). They don’t just guard you-they suffocate you.
This isn’t a one-dimensional team, either. Freshman guard Kingston Flemings is the real deal, averaging 17 points and 5.5 assists while shooting 52% from the floor. He dropped 42 on Texas Tech last month, showing he’s more than capable of taking over a game.
Veteran guards Emanuel Sharp (15.9 ppg) and Milos Uzan (11.5 ppg, 3.9 apg) bring experience and poise, while forwards Chris Cenac Jr. (6-foot-10) and Joseph Tugler (6-foot-8) anchor the interior with physical, defensive-minded play.
Offensively, Houston isn’t the most explosive team-they’re seventh in the Big 12 in scoring at 79.2 points per game-but they take care of the basketball better than anyone in the league. Their assist-to-turnover ratio (+2.05) leads the conference, and that discipline allows them to control tempo and grind opponents down.
Familiar Foes, Familiar Pain
BYU fans might remember the 2019 thriller in Houston, when TJ Haws hit a buzzer-beater to lift the Cougars to a 72-71 win. But since joining the Big 12, BYU has struggled mightily against the red Cougars. Houston has won all three meetings, including a pair of blowouts last season-an 86-55 rout in the regular season and a 74-54 drubbing in the Big 12 semifinals en route to their run to the national title game (where they lost to Florida).
Houston leads the all-time series 8-3 and is 2-1 in Provo. BYU’s only home win against Houston came all the way back in 1965.
The Cougars are 24-3 at home under Kevin Young, but all three losses have come against ranked opponents. That stat is both a testament to how tough BYU is in the Marriott Center-and a reminder of how high the bar is when elite teams come to town.
Can BYU Turn It Around?
It’s not uncharted territory for this group. Around this time last year, BYU hit a rough patch before rattling off nine straight wins.
But this season’s challenges are different. Depth is thinner.
Injuries have taken their toll, with key contributors like Dawson Baker, Nate Pickens, and Brody Kozlowski out for the year.
Young knows the margin for error is shrinking.
“This is similar to last year, where we went through a tough patch,” he said. “This year it’s a little bit harder because our depth isn’t quite there.
But that’s life. Other guys have to step up.”
The message to the team is clear: look in the mirror, find a way to contribute, and realize that everything they set out to accomplish is still within reach. But time is running out.
Senior guard Richie Saunders put it bluntly.
“There are two options: Cry and be sad about it or figure it out,” he said. “I’ve been in this position twice and it sucks… You’re left with a choice. I’m choosing to figure it out.”
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just about snapping a losing streak. It’s about proving that BYU can still hang with the Big 12’s best. It’s about showing resilience, defending home court, and reigniting the fire that fueled that 16-1 start.
Saturday night at the Marriott Center, the Cougars have a shot to reset the tone of their season. But they’ll have to earn it against one of the toughest, most disciplined teams in college basketball.
Men’s College Basketball
**No. 8 Houston (20-2, 8-1 Big 12) at No.
16 BYU (17-5, 5-4 Big 12)**
**Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
MT**
Marriott Center, Provo
TV: ESPN | Radio: KSL 102.7 FM / 1160 AM, BYU Radio Sirius XM 143
Live stats: byucougars.com
Houston has won the last three meetings and leads the all-time series 8-3. BYU is looking for its first home win over the red Cougars since 1965.