Basketball season has a way of announcing itself at BYU, and Tuesday night at the Marriott Center did exactly that.
More than 5,000 students and fans filled the arena for the Cougars’ annual Marriott Madness preseason pep rally, turning the building back into the kind of loud, restless place that makes it feel like the year is officially underway. The night had a little of everything: introductions for players from both the men’s and women’s teams, a show from BYU’s dunk squad, a dance performance from the Cougarettes and the usual Cosmo antics.
The students with ROC passes got there more than two hours early to pick up replica jerseys, then kept the party going outside the Marriott Center Annex with a DJ and their own dance scene. For a Tuesday in Provo, it was a pretty lively setup.
Several players drew big reactions when they were introduced, including BYU’s 5-star freshman Bruce Branch III, women’s standout Delaney Gibb, freshman Provo native Dean Rueckert, Kentucky transfer Collin Chandler and fan favorite Khadim Mboup. Rob Wright III also came off as especially vocal when he spoke to the crowd, while new big man Jaxon Kohler seemed to be soaking up every second of the moment.
There was even a 3-point contest, where Branch and women’s shooter Kailey Woolston edged Liza Astakhova and Chandler.
The event wasn’t just about fun, though. Head coaches Kevin Young and Lee Cummard used the stage like a sales pitch, urging the crowd to come back and make the Marriott Center part of their routine this season.
Cummard kept his message short and sharp when he talked about his women’s team: “we play fast, we shoot the 3, and we make it miserable for the other team,” he told the crowd, setting off a loud response.
Young then asked how many people in the building had never been to a game at the Marriott Center, and a few thousand hands went up, likely from new students.
“Unless you’ve actually experienced a game in this place, it’s hard to describe the atmosphere that’s in here,” Young said.
“... I mean this sincerely, I want you to know how important (the fans) are for our legitimate home court advantage, and how hard it is for teams to come into this building.”
In Other News...
BYU Suddenly Faces A Brutal Offensive Problem At The Worst Time
BYUs backfield took a major hit at a moment when the schedule is only getting tougher. Running back LJ Martin is expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering a lower-body injury in the game against TCU, and that timetable puts him out of the mix for upcoming matchups against Iowa State and Notre Dame.
Kalani Sitake said Martin is not on crutches, which is at least a small bit of encouraging news, but the Cougars still have to plan for a stretch without one of their key offensive pieces. Losing a runner of that importance right before a demanding run of games adds another layer of pressure to an offense that now has to find answers quickly. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Suddenly Faces A Huge Offensive Test Without Its Top Playmaker
BYUs offense is about to be asked to answer a much bigger question than it has all season, and it comes at a time when the schedule is about to get heavier. Running back LJ Martin will be out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury suffered against TCU, a setback that immediately removes the Cougars most reliable downhill threat from the lineup. He has been a centerpiece of the attack, piling up 344 rushing yards and three touchdowns so far this season while carrying the rsum of the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
The timing makes the injury especially difficult for a BYU team that cannot afford to lose rhythm as it heads into a key stretch. Martin is already out for the Iowa State game and will also miss the nationally televised matchup with Notre Dame on Oct. 17, leaving the Cougars to adjust without the runner who has helped define their identity. For an offense trying to stay on track against better defenses, the next few weeks now look like a test of depth, creativity and how well the rest of the ground game can absorb the loss. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Fans Are Facing A Notre Dame Ticket Reality Nobody Likes
BYUs home schedule is suddenly carrying a premium, and not just in the usual late-season sense. With Iowa State and Notre Dame coming to LaVell Edwards Stadium next, ticket resale markets have pushed prices sharply higher, turning what should be an ordinary search for seats into a small headache for fans trying to get in the door. Some single tickets are already listed for more than $400, and the buzz around the Notre Dame game has only added to the spike.
Even with the sticker shock, the interest has not cooled. BYU fans have made clear they still see these matchups as worth the trip, especially with a marquee opponent like Notre Dame on the calendar and a Big 12 home game against Iowa State coming first. The challenge now is less about whether the crowd will show up and more about how many fans are willing to pay the going rate to be part of it. [Read more 🡒]