BYU’s Non-Conference Blueprint Is Paying Off - And It’s More Than Just Wins
BYU head coach Kevin Young and his staff didn’t just throw together a non-conference schedule - they built it with intent. And so far, the results are speaking loud and clear.
The Cougars sit at 10-1 with two non-conference games left on the slate - Abilene Christian and Eastern Washington - and they’ve already made a serious impression in the NCAA Tournament selection conversation. BYU is currently No. 6 in the NET rankings, a major jump from last season when they entered Big 12 play at 9-2 but were sitting at No. 45 in the same metric.
That’s not just better - that’s strategic progress.
The scheduling effort was led by assistant coach Chris Burgess, taking cues from programs like Arizona and other top-tier teams who’ve mastered the art of building a resume before league play. Young put it simply: when you see the powerhouses crossing the street, you follow.
“When I’m in New York City, if a New Yorker crosses the street, I’m crossing with them, because they know what they’re doing,” Young said. “Same thing with this.
A lot of good teams schedule up - so that’s what we’re trying to be. This year was what the blueprint can be moving forward.”
A Resume That’s Already Turning Heads
The Cougars’ résumé speaks for itself. They’re 3-1 in Quad 1 games - the highest level of competition - and a perfect 3-0 in Quad 2 matchups. Add in a 1-0 record in Quad 3 and 3-0 in Quad 4, and you’ve got a team that’s not just winning, but doing it against a wide range of quality opponents.
That one Quad 1 loss? It came against defending national champion UConn, currently No. 7 in the NET.
And even though preseason games don’t count in the NET formula, BYU didn’t shy away from tests - they faced Nebraska (No. 11 NET) on the road and squared off with North Carolina (No.
16 NET) at the Delta Center.
This isn’t just about racking up wins - it’s about preparing for the grind of Big 12 play.
The Scheduling Puzzle
Of course, building a schedule like this comes with its own set of challenges. Power conference teams don’t exactly line up to play in Provo, and BYU has to vacate the Marriott Center during “Christmas Around the World.” Finals week in December doesn’t help either.
Still, Young believes his staff found a solid balance, even if there’s room to grow.
“Obviously, we wanted to beef it up and just make it more challenging, which I think we’ve done a decent job of,” Young said. “I think we probably could have done more, honestly.”
He’s working with a staff that’s a blend of college basketball veterans and newcomers, so there’s been a lot of internal dialogue about how far they can push the schedule in future seasons.
“Could we play more Quad 1-type games than we even did this year?” Young asked. That’s the kind of forward-thinking approach you want from a program trying to establish itself as a regular March contender.
Learning Through the Fire
One of the biggest benefits of a tougher schedule? Clarity.
Last season, BYU stumbled out of the gate in Big 12 play with a 1-3 start. This year, Young is hoping the early-season gauntlet has his team better prepared for the battles ahead.
“The amount of stuff we’ve learned compared to last year is night and day,” Young said. “It’s not even close.”
That’s the kind of insight you only get when you test your team early - and often - against high-level competition.
Still a Student First
Sophomore guard Robert Wright III gave BYU fans a moment to remember with his buzzer-beating, game-winning shot against Clemson at Madison Square Garden. But when asked how life has changed since that highlight?
“I still had to take my finals,” Wright said. “So life’s been the same.”
A reminder that even March Madness dreams have to wait for December deadlines.
Scouting the Next Test: Abilene Christian
Next up: Abilene Christian. The Wildcats (7-4) are coming off three straight wins - including a solid road win at Pepperdine - before getting steamrolled by top-ranked Arizona earlier this week. Arizona shot a blistering 67% from the field in that one and made 30 of 38 from the free throw line.
Abilene Christian, picked to finish seventh in the nine-team Western Athletic Conference, is led by senior forward Bradyn Hubbard. At 6-foot-7, Hubbard is averaging 15.7 points per game and shooting 33% from beyond the arc.
The Wildcats currently sit at No. 211 in the NET rankings - not exactly a resume-booster, but still a game BYU will want to handle with focus and discipline.
Game Info
- Matchup: No. 10 BYU (10-1) vs.
Abilene Christian (7-4)
- When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
MT
- Where: Marriott Center, Provo
- TV/Streaming: TNT / TruTV / HBO Max
- Radio: KSL 102.7 FM / 1160 AM, BYU Radio (Sirius XM 143)
- Live Stats: byucougars.com
Notables:
- This will be the first-ever meeting between BYU and Abilene Christian.
- BYU has won 24 straight non-conference home games.
- The Cougars have outscored opponents in the second half in nine consecutive games.
- BYU is 26-5 all-time against current WAC teams, including a perfect 7-0 against Utah Tech and 12-0 against Southern Utah.
With two tune-ups left before the Big 12 gauntlet begins, BYU is exactly where it wants to be - tested, confident, and in control of its own path. The blueprint is working. Now it’s about executing the next phase.