Kevin Young made no secret of what he wanted after BYU’s loss to Texas in the NCAA Tournament: more shooting, and a lot of it.
“I've been very clear since I've taken this job to me shooting is the holy grail,” Young said. “Bottom line, you've got to be able to make shots at a high level, and we didn't have enough guys that could do that this year...there's just no substitute for shooting, so we'll have that's at the top of the list for me every year, but definitely, you know, this was a double down on how important it is.”
Months later, after a longer-than-expected search to finish the roster, BYU has finally put the pieces in place. The Cougars landed their starting center in Jaxon Kohler, and with that move, Young’s offseason blueprint is easy to see: load up on perimeter threats and spread the floor with a big man who can shoot, too.
One of the earliest additions was Kentucky transfer Collin Chandler, and he arrives with a résumé built around the arc. Chandler led the Wildcats in both made three-pointers and three-point percentage, hitting 41% from deep.
That number ranked among the top 135 marks in the country, according to KenPom, and he got even hotter as the year went on. In SEC play, Chandler drilled 45.7% of his threes, the second-best percentage in the league.
BYU also got a familiar-looking recruiting win over Kentucky with Robert Wright III. The point guard visited Lexington, but only stayed for one day before deciding he wanted to return to Provo. Wright was BYU’s best three-point shooter last season, and he matched Chandler’s 41% from behind the line.
Then came Syracuse transfer Tyler Betsey, another addition who fits the same mold. Betsey also shot 41% from three last season, and like Chandler, he finished stronger than he started. In conference play, Betsey hit 44% from deep.
That gives BYU a real chance to start three players - Wright, Chandler and Betsey - all coming off seasons where they shot better than 40% from three. But the move that may change the look of this team most is Kohler.
The former Michigan State star gives BYU a center who can rebound, score with his back to the basket and, crucially, stretch the floor. In his final season with the Spartans, Kohler shot 39% from three on 149 attempts.
That is a major shift from last season, when BYU could have as many as three or four players on the floor who were not efficient from three-point range. This group could feature five players who can make threes, which makes one thing pretty clear: volume from deep is going to be a big part of the plan.
In Other News...
BYU Freshmen And Transfers Are Already Forcing Tough Depth Chart Calls
Fall camp is over, and BYU has turned the page to week-to-week prep for its opener against Utah Tech, but the most interesting part of the month may already be in the rearview mirror. By the time the first depth chart comes into focus, several spots already look different than they did when camp began, with key names established at quarterback, running back, receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and cornerback.
What makes the picture more compelling is how quickly transfers and freshmen have pushed themselves into the conversation. In a lot of cases, the early pecking order is no longer just about returning experience, but about who handled the competition best over the last few weeks. For a staff trying to settle on the right combinations before the season opens, that kind of movement can be a welcome sign and a difficult puzzle at the same time. [Read more 🡒]
BYU's Sione Moa Is Back After Nearly Losing Football Forever
Sione Moas path back to the field has already gone well beyond the usual bumps and bruises that come with college football. The BYU running back went through a frightening medical emergency after developing compartment syndrome in his thigh during a game, a condition that required immediate attention and emergency surgery to relieve the pressure and protect his leg. Dr. Dain Allred diagnosed the problem and performed the fasciotomy, a procedure that stopped the damage from getting worse.
Now, after months of recovery, Moa is back at practice and back in the mix for BYU. The return carries a different weight for him than it does for most players, because football was never guaranteed to be part of the story again. He has spoken with clear gratitude about being able to play, and for the Cougars, his presence alone is a reminder of how much can change in an instant. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Frontcourt Just Got More Serious For The Big 12 Race
BYUs frontcourt picture took another step forward with the addition of Jaxon Kohler, a transfer center from Michigan State who arrives with a reputation for doing the dirty work that travels well in conference play. He has been described by his former coaches and recruiting analysts as a rebounder, a capable shooter and a relentless worker, and he brings the kind of experience and leadership that can matter in a Big 12 season where every possession gets magnified.
Kohlers path also suggests a player still on the rise. After going undrafted, he spent summer league with the Utah Jazz, a sign that his game has started to draw notice beyond college circles. For BYU, the move adds another layer of seriousness to a frontcourt that will need size, toughness and reliability if the Cougars are going to stay in the race once league play tightens up. [Read more 🡒]