Speaker 1: From Chicago to Provo.
Speaker 2: From dodging tackles on the rugbe pitch to covering tribes
on the Marriott Center baseline, He's traded in scrums for statuets,
creates for a courtside coverage, and somehow he draws more
contact than half the Big Twelve.
Speaker 1: He's runneled the.
Speaker 2: Three man Meaver. He'll break down the matchup storylines and
give you everything you need to know before jipoff this soon.
He's the Cougar Basketball pregame show on one, O, three,
nine and ninety eight three ESPN, the family part of
Hutah's ESPN wady O them.
Speaker 1: Yeah, Welcome into the Cougar Basketball pre games Show. I'm
Ronald the free Man.
Speaker 3: We were here gonna be taking you all the way
up until tipoff. It is a Friday, December nineteenth edition,
number ten. Bou Basketball is back in action tonight at
the Marriott Center, taking on Abilene Christian another one of
those Q four matchups that they're gonna have to be
able to get guys locked in a little before conference play.
They are a couple of weeks away from taking on
Kansas State. They'll be on the road in Manhattan Jerome
Tank and Crew BYU and Kansas State.
Speaker 1: It's been a good rivalry thus far.
Speaker 3: Last time the Kansas State came to the Marriott BYU, look,
Kansas State was on the seven eight winter streak.
Speaker 1: That's kind of what turned the whole tide.
Speaker 3: And I think the momentum of the BAU season when
boub Kansas State, they went on a win streak and
a run of their own. So what will happen is
those two teams match off in a couple weeks. But
until then you got a couple of opponents that you
gotta take care. But before I want to do I
want to give a shot out to our sponsor. Shout
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When you use a discount code ESPN nine to six,
you're gonna get ten percent off your order. And I
want to promote something Ben has promoted on the show.
I'll welcome my coast who is him here in momentarily,
but we're gonna have the Royal Army Brown Warehouse sal
Tomorrow Saturday, December twentieth, ten am four pm is gonna
be located in Pleasant Grove at five to seven West
State Street. That's five twenty seven West State Street and
plus grow Sweet one oh six guys up to fifty
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Speaker 1: A BYU licensed apparel. That's fifty percent off. This is
a good deal.
Speaker 3: If you don't have a Christmas gift YEP for your
for your husband, for your wife, for your son, for
your daughter. You know, damn it the dog for crying
out loud, the baby, get one today. Get it at
Royal Army brand dot com. The warehouse. They're gonna have
it tomorrow. You don't want to miss that. We'll be
doing good show. Ben will be live down there from
ten am to two pm. You don't want to miss
an opportunity to do that. And again, guys, as always,
we're gonna put out the score prediction for tonight all
season long. The closest to it. I think Ryan Hancock
was our last one to shout out to the former
BYU quarterback Great he was the closest. Mark Durantz trying
to rebul it. You will get a free roll Army
brand T shirt if you are the closest to the
score prediction. So just want to promote that and give
that look. They're gonna be there until they sell out
of everything. You're gonna enter through the back of the
parking lot. It's limited inventory, no restocks, so get your
by you get here, it's gonna be hoodies, teas, hats,
jacket again. It's gonna be there until they're gone, So
come get it. You don't want to miss an opportunity.
I'm gonna make sure the family's there. I'm gonna get
some apparel. Get some apparel today at the Royal Homy
brand dot com. Okay, we were discussing this a part
of the show, and I'm gonna welcome in Ben Momentary
to give his thoughts in just a second. But we
were playing Big twelve now Kevin Young basketball. We didn't
know that that would be dropped, right. That was something
that we had saw said, Hey, let's play us during
the show, and it was a phenomenal question. Phenomenal question
that was asked. I got to give credit where credit
was due. It was asked by James Westling, Hey, Kevin,
you've dealt with these two injuries. How have you been
able to overcome that. I'm just gonna get to the
sound and let him play it. But Kevin alludes to
says there's a third BYU basketball player that's gonna be
out for the season. Let's listen in Kevin, you said
a moment ago that you've lost more guys to season
ending injuries.
Speaker 4: Than at any point in your career.
Speaker 1: How many guys have you lost?
Speaker 5: So we've lost too, for sure, and a third one
that's that's most likely in that in that same same, uh,
same situation.
Speaker 1: So you know, tough to see for our guys.
Speaker 5: And two of them are the same position, and Nate
Pickens and Dawson Baker. But you know, credit to our
coaching staff out on the recruiting trail. You know, Alex
Alexe Coasts came in the other night and went five
to eight from three and he and that's in that
same same role that Dawson and Nate would have held.
And so and then the next night Tylan Ross came
in and goes four or four from three. So you know,
obviously the consistency is gonna have to be there for
those guys. But you know, that's what you have a
team for that to which we have depth four.
Speaker 1: That's what you have player development for. All right, Ben,
I'm bringing you in here. Let's welcome into the program.
Speaker 3: Benkruit to the host of Cougar Sports every day Monday
through Friday from two to six pm on your Utah
ESPN Radio Network one O three nine in ninety eight
three FM.
Speaker 1: Ben.
Speaker 3: It's very clearly the way he broke it down. Kevin
Young's NBA coach. He's very smart. He mentions Alexi's not
the same position group. It was gonna be declared about that.
It's not that so this is outside of that position group.
But he says in that same so you have to
think that this is someone been probably in the front court.
Speaker 4: Yeah.
Speaker 6: I almost feel like like my initial thought on this
was actually more so Brody Koslowski, who haven't we seen yet.
I'm like, okay, it's Brody. It's got to be Brody,
right because we just haven't seen him yet. So shut
him down, get him healthy, and get him rehabbed, and
then bring him back next year. He already read shirted
one year and he's had some injuries leading into this season.
It's like, all right, just shut him down. It's okay,
and it like, like him bringing it up to in
this scenario, I almost feel like it's not. I want
to believe it's not an overly impactful injury, Like, yeah,
it's the third season ending injury, but it's not in
the same position group and you don't sense like stress
in him. He says kudos to the coaching staff for
going out onto the recruiting trail, and he mentions Alexi. Right,
So I'm leaning I want to believe it's Brody, and
I hate it that it's Brodie because I love Brody.
Speaker 4: I love the Kaslowskis. He's extremely talent.
Speaker 6: He's a four star six' eight four that can play the,
three the, four and he could probably play the stretch
five with his body type because he's got a great
lower half to, him AND i think he can, guard you,
know on the perimeter as well as in the low.
Speaker 4: Post he kind of reminds me Of Jonathan tabnari in.
Speaker 6: His skill, set maybe a little bit slightly, taller even
THOUGH i always Say jat's six,' eight you KNOW what?
Speaker 4: I MEAN but i hate to.
Speaker 6: Say that i'm Hoping, it's brody but like we haven't
been able To see brody, This year so it wouldn't
be devastating, to, me right it wouldn't be devastating if It.
Speaker 4: Was brody we'd just get him back and he. Gets
training he's.
Speaker 6: With, the wiz and he's with the, nutrition staff and
He's With, rob ramos and he just gets healthy and
strong and nurse and strengthen he can get back into
the swing of things next season and head into. The
offseason That's what i'm. Hoping for the guys that you,
can't Lose, right like you Can't, lose Alexi, right like
you Can't. Lose alexi you can't lose the. Front court
you mentioned who can you lose in the? Front court
right now that, you're, like okay we can we can,
lose him you're, Gonna, Say mihailo.
Speaker 3: I'M gonna i don't think you don't. SEE anybody i
think you need everybody on, this, TEAM man i.
Speaker 7: Need.
Speaker 1: EVERYBODY man i don't think you can lose.
Speaker 3: Any pieces to the puzzle with, this no and every
piece a part of this. Puzzles matter you can't have
an empty piece if.
Speaker 4: You want to go to a.
Speaker 6: Final four you can't, lose obviously anyone Of your, Big,
Three richie ROB and AJ and i think your your
your fourth best player Is is rob or, Excuse Me.
Keba Keta. It's keba you Can't lose keba. Like that
and some people Say. IT'S canard i don't think you
Can lose keba like. That's guy like no one plays
the Game. Like keba and he had that concussion versus,
you gone and he's, roared back rise and shouted back
the last few games ever since that game and LIKE he,
i mean nineteen minutes, twenty two twenty eight minutes twenty
twenty three is good. Versus dating he, Was effective he
had his best game Versus cal Baptist. Right clemson he
had a. Great game so you can't. LOSE him i
if he sustained, a concussion if he sustained in practice
or in, a game like you may have to shut
him down with concussion protocol is, no, joke man you
can't if you get, another concussion that's a serious.
Speaker 4: Neurological, ISSUE.
Speaker 1: Yeah i, Just uh i'm looking.
Speaker 3: At it i'm trying to justify in, my mind, you
know because there's a reality they're gonna have to play
who they have and. Move On but i'm also trying
to go at the mindset, of well can you really
afford to lose anybody you thought that you, could excoose
me afford to lose, You Know, Naden dawson and so
far that hasn't really reared its.
Speaker 1: Head yet you haven't gotten in the.
Speaker 3: Conference play and then now, this occurs and you know,
you wonder like what type of injury? Is, It Right
kevin youngston have to speak. More respeculation we, don't know
like IS it k but what the concussion? Is?
Speaker 1: It mahilo like? Is it like, you again all three of.
Speaker 3: THOSE guys i said this before your show it and
It'd BEEN mahilo's iq and the way he's able to
distribute the basketball and passing critical and, clutch situations you can't.
LOSE him i don't think there's anybody on the team
that can. Do that Nothing, against rob but You, need
Rob like kevin, young said you know in, this interview
is the.
Speaker 1: Third option you need him. To score so.
Speaker 3: You need him to be, be available not saying that he,
can't pass but the role. Is different so you need
all guys to be available when the game matters most.
Speaker 1: To score so can't let it. BE myhilo, i mean
k but he's been.
Speaker 3: Playing, phenomenal right he was balling Out Against california baptist
with that, you know twenty, and plus, you know ten to.
Fifteen game you know he had his teammate saying it was.
The headband but he did get knocked. In that like
go back To that. Yukon game you bring up a.
Speaker 1: Good point he.
Speaker 3: LOOKED pretty i Don't think i've seen anybody that slow
to get up in a while beIN off of.
Speaker 1: Basketball court that lethargic if it wasn't.
Speaker 3: A lower extremity injury to get hit in the head
the way he. Did look i've had a couple. OF
concussions i have not played sports at the highest level.
Like that but to get hit in the head and have,
A concussion i've had a concussion in, rugby before i
had a concussion. In baseball i've had a concussion. In
football they don't feel well and you do see stars
and you. Feel ILL so i don't know what. It
is he's, looked great so we don't know If it's
canard that would look. That's, Scary, two ben you brought
in this guy from the transfer portal to play you
know and defend the best guy at. The, PERIMETER again
i go back TO what, I, Say ben i'm standing.
On business you can't afford to anybody in this roster
and you lost to and it doesn't sound like it's
someone in that. Position group we don't know who. It
Is kevin jung will let. Us know but this is
just heartbreaking. Right now, you know this is just heartbreaking
for this for. This team you hope that it's not.
Season ending you hope that maybe it's just, you know week,
to week day, to day a month, to month but. You,
Can't man it's just HOW Is byu basketball able to
continue to achieve? That goal if this is an impact
PLAYER and i think everybody on this. ROSTER is i
don't think you Can. LOSE kadem i think he brings
great energy out of. The bench you Can't. Lose dominique
so they're gonna persevere and they're gonna get it together
and they're gonna take the guys that. They Have but
i'm just gonna, SAY this i think there's a reason
why kJ, and abdullah, you.
Speaker 1: Know came in a little. Bit early maybe that was always.
Speaker 3: The Plan Maybe i'm i'm out of pocket With that
i'll happily APOLOGIZE if. I AM but i think there's
a reason why those guys. Are There and i've.
Speaker 1: Asked this.
Speaker 3: I'VE asked I Asked, BRENDAN dunson I Asked, chris burgess
and both of, them said, you know it's still a work.
IN progress i think depending on what this injury is
to whoever, this is you Might see, abdullah play, you
know as soon.
Speaker 1: As, tomorrow look he's got two years.
Speaker 3: Of eligibility he's officially on, the roster listed as, a
SOPHOMORE so i could see this happening. Real quick because
whoever this, is been it seems like this is gonna
affect them in an impact position in, My, opinion.
Speaker 6: Well do you want to break down and discuss? THE opponent, i,
MEAN look i don't know When k why is. GONNA
announce i don't know if there's gonna be. Press release
I'm Magic greg rebel's gonna be interviewing coaches, and players
et cetera, post game and we'll probably know at. The
game here how far away are we from? Tip off
and when do you think we're gonna?
Speaker 1: Find, Out, ronald yeah we're forty eight minutes away from.
Speaker 3: TIP off I know gregor bel normally tweets things out
about thirty minutes prior to, the game so we'll find
out in our. Next segment we will be Discussing with
Trevor n neill OF this bou men's. Basketball team but
we're gonna get into. THE matchup bau number ten is
Taken On. Ablen christian let's just get right. Into it
let's not even waste any. More time this is again
we touched. On it unfortunate that you know guys are,
going DOWN but, bau basketball let's talk about. THE positives
i get the negative out of.
Speaker 1: The way hate the.
Speaker 4: BAD.
Speaker 3: Things ba you're looking to extend that non conference, win
streak bend it was at, Twenty, four yes what?
Speaker 7: Is It?
Speaker 3: On tuesday with a Win, over pacific you beat THE.
Wcc fo now looking to do it against number. Twenty
five today's matchup is gonna be BROADCAST on T. And
t by, the way just want to give a Shout.
OUT ben i LOVE this. TNT staff I Love, BRIAN
anderson I Love, GRANT hill I Love, andy katz this.
Group Together brian anderson does a. Great job he's a
great play by a. Play Guy Love. Grant hill, so
again that game is gonna be available if you're watching it,
on television if you're on the, race video it's gonna
BE On bou radio With always Gregerbilt and margaret both
friends of the program. As well this contest is the
first all time meeting been between the, two Schools As
ablin christian made the Move to division one in. Twenty
thirteen as, we know little connection here in correct Me if, I'm,
Wrong ben i'm pretty.
Speaker 1: Sure we had Him On.
Speaker 3: Kate Finnigan kate finnigan TRANSFERRED From Byu football Abiline To.
Abilin CHRISTIAN if i, was correct he retired and looked
like went into like a student assistant role with the
team and, then hey an opportunity to open, back UP
and i think he went Down To, ablen Christian, right ben.
Speaker 6: He, did yeah he played a little bit, This season,
so yeah we have. Some connectivity we're Fans Of ablin.
Christian here, and furthermore another former coach FROM the yu
Is At. ABLEINE christian i believe HE'S a oc offensive,
line coach ONE of i really enjoyed getting to.
Speaker 4: Know Him And. RYAN pugh I don't I Remember. Ryan
pugh he.
Speaker 1: WAS brought I Remember ryan Peugh With jeff.
Speaker 6: Grymes the first go round as the offensive line coach
ended up at his offensive like coach and offensive coordinator had,
you know and then he. Was canceled he was canceled
because apparently he had dressed up, in uh, you know
in a particular costume years ago when he Was. At
auburn he was the starting Center for auburn With Alongside.
CAM newton i mean he was like, best friends good
Buddies With. Cam newton he apparently dressed up In the
halloween costume that got. Him canceled so now he's At
ablen christian sad state, of affairs the cancelation of people
and sports figures in society at.
Speaker 4: Any, Rate Yes kate finnegan did play you get me
off On The.
Speaker 6: DIET tribe i will Talk. Avelet christian i'll, go, Off
babe i'll start talking about all sorts.
Speaker 4: Of Things.
Speaker 6: Ryan peugh also part Of ableinne christian shout out to
former by offensive Line Coach.
Speaker 3: Ryan peugh there's some there's some ties to, some Histories
But abilene christian coming into the season seven, and four
overall they haven't played in a. Whack tournament, EXCUSE Me
wa conference play yet another whack opponent by you Also
Be california baptist earlier on the neutral site At The.
Delta center they're not ranked in the coaches pole or a.
P pole they're two hundred and eleventh in, kim palm
so that shows you where, they're at two hundred and
twentieth in.
Speaker 1: The net and then they.
Speaker 3: Are coach none other Than By Brett. Tait tanner this
is fifth season he his record is seventy seven and,
sixty six so so good. Basketball, team look they've won
sixty four national Titles in division two before they made the.
Move up, SO look i think this is a GAME
that byu is, gonna roll regardless of what, you know
the roster's gonna look like and what the rotation will.
Speaker 1: LOOK like I believe bau is gonna take. Care business.
Speaker 3: You Know the WILDCATS of I believe christian are one
of four SCHOOLS that byu has faced or will play
for the first time, this season Joining Obviously, Holy cross
Delaware And. California BAPTIST, so bo you're playing some of those. Whack,
teams also who's very familiar with the whack teams will Be.
THE wolverines boyu coming off that ninety three to fifty
seven Win Over pacific, tuesday evening it was a crowd of,
seventeen thousand nine hundred. Sixty three that's how. Many fans we're.
Into tennis looking to extend that win streak. TO twenty,
i said check. This out this is the ninth LONGEST
Streaking Ncaa division one men's basketball according to the research
Done By Texas Tech. West blomquist so that is how
long this win. Streak Is kevin young now improved in
nineteen to two at home and since being hired as
the HEAD coach byu seven straight Wins over pacific At The.
MARRIOTT center bau has won ten or more games than twenty,
consecutive seasons including fifteen. Last season that's the most by
a first year head coach in. Program history, so again
this coach. Is phenomenal so regardless of what the rest
of the outcome is, This, SEASON ben i think this
is where you have to talk about his STAFF and
nba experience and all. Of that so accomplish what he's
accomplished with this, year already and guy's going out and
he's really going.
Speaker 1: To be tested in.
Speaker 3: Conference play but what, he's accomplished like let that stat,
Sink in like he improved in nineteen to two. At
home since being hired as the head coach Following the
cougar's seventh straight Win over pacific at The, mayriout CENTER
and bau has won ten or more games in twenty,
consecutive seasons including fifteen. Last season that's the most by
a first year head coaching. Program history speak To Just
kevin young and what he's been able to do and,
this staff because you don't get that number with too.
Many coaches bill selfis built, Himself Up tom Mills Or,
mike ryzewski but it took a, long Time And kevin
young has already cemented himself been as a college as
a college coach great just in.
Speaker 6: Two, SEASONS look, i, MEAN look i don't have visibility
of for the the organizational designers fast staff structure around
the power conferences of, college BASKETBALL but i will say
THAT b yu has invested heavenly, and uh the two
to one ratio of staff member to player is it's got.
Speaker 4: To be one of the more robust in.
Speaker 6: College basketball we've spent enough money to bring. In specialists
you have the you Have The phoenix, suns nutritionists you
Have The milwaukee bucks strengthen. Additioning coaches you, have uh
the mental performance coach Of The, Milwaukee Bucks craig manning,
like like guys like look at the coaching staff roster
will Void him fanning go down the list some High Quality.
Speaker 4: Brandan Dunson chris burge, is like these are really good.
Speaker 6: College basketball coaches that are surrounding high level. Professional coaches
and so it's a perfect melding and combination of great
talent from a coaching. Staff standpoint so you.
Speaker 4: Should win and they all know each.
Speaker 6: Other too they all know each, other too they so
there's good. Chemistry there sometimes you have a little bit
of a mercenarial type of outlook where you're bringing in
certain individuals that you've never had any sort of relationships
with or a professional. Interaction with BUT k wi has
done a really good job of networking and building relationships
with trust with these individuals that have high level competency
that are on the. Grind too it's not like it's
not like there is this is their profession and they're
willing to go twenty, four seven three sixty five. In
It so it's crazy to me that you were able
to acquire as much talent as. You, did remember You
Took chris burgas from His. Alma manter You Took brandon Dunson,
from stanford a, good program and you were able to, Convince,
him Fanning will void and others to come And Represent
Brigham young university rather than a. Professional organization, so that
on TOP, of, nil that on top of, reps, share
that on top of, corporate. Sponsorships etc FEEDING the nil
beast and Greeting the big three and the depth pieces,
like vy you should. Be winning they have one of
the best rosters in. COLLEGE basketball i would say they
HAVE probably i think if you rank out, the roster
just the personnel to clay that these coaches are, working
with it's.
Speaker 4: Got to be.
Speaker 6: It's at best a top, ten roster right and you
look at the recruiting class and it reflects that that
they were a top.
Speaker 4: Ten class, matt worse it's a top.
Speaker 6: Twenty five so you have a top twenty five, at
worst top ten roster, at best and you have one
of probably the most robust coaching. Staff rosters this should
be a top ten team and that's why they're ranked
in the top ten in the eight people Coaches pol
and that's why their net raigning, is six their ken palm,
is six and they're trending to be a.
Speaker 4: Two seed that's where.
Speaker 1: We're, at yeah trending to be a.
Speaker 3: Two seed and you wonder what the wins in, conference
play which Will be quad One and, quad two maybe
one will Be a quad three depending on the Games?
Speaker 1: Against utah could they finish this?
Speaker 3: One seed could they be that last one Seed in
you're gonna have to win a handful. OF games i
think if, you go if you only lose, you know
three or four games in, conference play you'll be on
an upper TRAJECTORY where i think you for sure.
Speaker 1: Will get a.
Speaker 3: One seed it'll be, very difficult but you'll be In a.
Houston range and it starts with the. Permanent defense and
that's the SAME thing i would like, to see excuse.
ME tonight i want To see BYU's defensive intensity, really
showcasing show. Really Well as debontson was on the glasses on,
the boards he said this in. The postgame should have
pulled up the. Sound bite but, You Know kevin, young
said he HIS dad, a, Said, hey benjamin if he, doesn't, Rebound,
right benjamin if he, doesn't have, you know a double double,
every game aces, you know telling the coaching, staff little,
you know fun tongue in. Cheek action BUT no aj
had his first career. Double double the coaching staff has
BEEN on aj about. Grabbing rebounds he isn't at sixty
seven and, eight range, and honestly with, his athleticism how
long he is being six, Y nine aj should come
down with honestly boards every. Single time, and again you
don't know who this person is that you know is
out with it. With injury he's gonna have to step
up maybe on the glass as well as. Other people
so you're gonna you'll find out. That MOMENTARILY but i
mean the top SCORER. Leader, aj look he's averaging twenty
one point. One points now he. Moved up he was
like twenty and a half and now it's twenty one.
Point one he's just a very. Skilled score camp kid
is averaging seven point. Four rebounds at the top rebound on.
The Team rob wright is dishing out five and a,
half assists almost.
Speaker 1: Closer to six.
Speaker 3: A game b what he was scoring eighty Five points
and here it is scoring defense limiting their opponents to
sixty five points. PER game i had mentioned this been
what is it earlier in the week When when BRETT
and i were doing the show for the first. Couple
hours if you want to win games in conference The way,
houston does you have to have your opposition of points
of opponents against you less than sixty eight. Or less
it has to be between the sixty five to sixty. Eight, range,
now granted you know obviously that they've played a Bunch
of key four teams on the, back stretch but to
be at A limit villanova to sixty six the way
they were able To, limit clemson you know down, the
stretch you have to do that to win.
Speaker 1: Ball games you have to have your defense to.
Speaker 3: Be suffocating when you Think, about houston when you think
About what florida was able, to do you have to.
Suffocate players you have to guard the perimeter for a
long periods, of times and they have the guys to.
Do THAT and i like From what i've seen, thus
FAR and, i, think honestly what's GONNA propel byu to
been getting in the getting In the, elite eight to
getting To the final four not gonna be the three
point shot makings Look.
Speaker 1: Love aftress they'll work.
Speaker 3: THAT out i think it's going to be the way
they've been guarding because the way they've been, guarding teams
especially over the last like six or, seven games has
really been the reason and set the tone for why
they've been able to pull away earlier or keep the
leads up because you can't get behind and you have
to play great. Permanent, defense look, last game You remember
pacific got forced into a ten, second violation been almost
immediately right away, from jump and that's what you have.
Speaker 7: To.
Speaker 6: Do, WELL look i think it's a it's an interesting
SITUATION that byu basketball.
Speaker 4: IS in i love what they've done up to.
Speaker 6: This point they have one loss and uh what For
three quad, one Wins three quad, two Wins one quad
three and Then three quad.
Speaker 4: Four wins they're trending in the. RIGHT direction i.
Speaker 6: Still have the question of who do they trust coming off.
The bench will We see alexi coastic ball? Out again
if you're gonna, be healthy is it gonna be my
high low bucket fits?
Speaker 4: This time is it Gonna Be tyler maruss?
Speaker 6: This time it may be Time for Dominique dia monde
to could be his.
Speaker 4: Night and have have.
Speaker 6: A night we've just had this rotational type of bench
player star come off in this non conference slate of
games that are. Easily WINNABLE and i love how they.
Scheduled THIS now i can't remember it Was It tim
fanning that did the schedule for.
Speaker 4: This, year no it.
Speaker 3: Was not It Was CHRIS burgers i Talk About chris
Burgers And kevin young were the one that put the.
SCHEDULE together a reminder to. The fans Last year arizona
did the. SAME thing i think they were five, and
four six and three at. That point but even with
the wins that they got in conference played and how
they were to, turn around what did? They get they
got a. Four seed so you have to think ABOUT
what byu has done with. The schedule if they replicated
what they did last year in, conference play it's for
sure a, two seed maybe independent how, it goes at
best a. One seed so that's what, they're doing and
that's what they wanted to do because they feel they
have a real shot AT The, ncaa tournament which is what.
They have they do. Have that i'm gonna give you
guys a couple of numbers before we go to break
and we'll Welcome In. Trevin Neille richie saunders has scored
in double figures in twelve straight home games dating back to.
Last season richie plays very very well. At home Remember the,
Kansas Game las ye who set the. Tone early it
was The top King sent bill's self where you had
to call two timeouts in the first. Six, Minutes, look
ben you, played football and football you stand up the,
whole time but coaches in basketball get a chance to.
Speaker 1: SIT down i was at. That game it, was loud it.
Was raucus bill self.
Speaker 3: Sat down ben put his hands behind his head and
crossed his feet and just lean back, and say you
know what it's gonna be that type, of night, and
said that's probably the BALL game byu won that game
in the first six minutes and it was over and
They gave kansas one of their worst losses of all
time in. Program History and richie starts. With that check
this out eighteen with the career high end steals and
they Won. A pacific richie now has one hundred and fourteen,
career steals which is eighteenth most in. Program history and
there was a sound clip Earlier with Richie On. Sports
nation he said he Would love ben to teach people
how to, play HARD and i just want to shout
this out to all the kids for something my dad always.
Told me, He, SAYS look i can't teach a hike
because you're going to, be Short because i'm five.
Speaker 1: TO nine i can't.
Speaker 3: Teach you you know how to, you know finesse people,
with skill you might learn how to.
Speaker 1: Do THAT but i can.
Speaker 3: Teach effort if you give one hundred and twenty five,
percent effort you do all the, dirty work you, all needy,
gritty stuff the stuff that people do not want you.
To do if you rebound, in basketball, if football if
you make every, single tackle if you're punching balls out,
in baseball if, you're sliding if you're still in, bases
bunting if you do the.
Speaker 1: Stuff that matters for each sport when it.
Speaker 3: Matters most if you're, that guy if you do the
effort part and work harder than everybody and get down in,
the mud then you will.
Speaker 1: Have Opportunity and richie's done.
Speaker 3: That right and then obviously the development staff is three
point shot. Is amazing he can, attack downhill he can
hit you with, the floater he can hit you with
the up And under he's got, great footwork but all
of that comes from an effort of The. Top KING
so i just think it's good to highlight those and a.
Couple numbers AND like i, said earlier, Twenty four boau
has won twenty four straight non conference games by an
Average margin way, For, It ben way, for it thirty
two point two points. Per Game the cougars have scored
ninety or more points in five of their last six
non conference. HOME games i think it will be the, Same.
Tonight ben we'll get our scores prediction later on in.
The show but those are a couple numbers, for. You guys,
and look notice how They. MENTIONED aj i mentioned him
a Little. Bit ago, AJ's great, he's, phenomenal right future
number one. Overall pick but don't Forget. About richie don't
forget about The. Top king he scored a game high.
Twenty four the senior went off. From three you need, that. Guy,
tracker guys keep. The watch how many Threes Can richie
saunders hit? This season we'll discuss That with trevinell on
the flip more don't. GO anywhere a lot more to get,
to still as we take you up the tip off
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Speaker 4: Three. Espn fan.
Speaker 6: Welcome Man Cougar sports, pregame Show your cougar sports basketball
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ready get your prep FOR this byu basketball game tonight
with a FORMER B yu great sharpshooter baller. Shot collar
We Got trevin NELL Fromer ba great on the line. Right,
now trevin how the heck are you.
Speaker 4: Buddy good how are.
Speaker 7: You guys it's fun to be. On here it's fun
to Talk about boe basketball and in the stage of
life it is, right now so it's awesome.
Speaker 4: For sure it.
Speaker 6: Truly, is man, real quick give us an update on
what you're doing where you're. STAYING busy i know you
you're with THE US us a three on. Three team
that's keeping. You busy give us some. More.
Speaker 7: UPDATES yeah i actually just got off the Phone with,
jimmer yesterday so this is. Perfect timing he we're recreating
our team to try to compete at a high level
For the olympics, coming up and he extended the offer
for me to continue. To play SO now i just
got to convince the wife if that's something that we
still want to continue. To do and then on top,
of that getting financially certified as a financial planner to
work at a wealth. Management firm so it's gonna be
awesome to help, you know people with trying to create
generational wealth as well as privates investments and. Tax planning
so it's gonna be it's gonna Be keeping. Eve busy but, it's.
Speaker 4: AWESOME dude i.
Speaker 6: Love that who you're going to be aligning with is
your own firm or you're going on to.
Speaker 4: Another firm what are?
Speaker 7: You, doing yeah it's a Firm. Called diversify it's here.
In provo but there are three main things that they
prioritize on is strategic, tax planning, private investments and then.
Intergenerational WEALTH so i think it aligns perfectly with. My
views and it's awesome to be an athlete to see
like WHERE the nil is kind of going trying to
help athletes keep as much money. As, possible, yeah.
Speaker 4: Hey that's what you. Gotta, do hey you know how.
Speaker 6: It is it's a, new era new new, money ERA
new nil transfer, portal era and you want to make
sure that you're you're investing the right way and utilizing
your funds the right way and not just blowing all
your all your money on on on. Bad, ideas right
you don't want to do. That, exactly well it's great
to have you on.
Speaker 3: THE.
Speaker 6: Show UH this ba, basketball, TEAM obviously i think is
met quota.
Speaker 4: Through through uh through this first quarter or so of.
Speaker 6: The season getting into conference plays the next. Big challenge
but these non conference games are very. MUCH intriguing uh
as you begin to build depth coming off. The bench
but how would you evaluate the season? Thus far what
do you like about?
Speaker 4: This, squad.
Speaker 7: Yeah so i've actually been doing a Couple Of trev
takes type of THINGS where i break down some film
and just kind of talk about what MAKES b yu special.
This year and the one that actually surprised me the
most is their, last, game uh their last couple. Of
games they've really kind of embodied. THE culture i think that,
you Know, me Dollan trey fo's hoped STILL and byu
and it just looks like they really enjoy. Playing together
AND so i think they're already, so talented and they're,
talented athletically, they're talented, you know put in, the basket in,
the hoo the ball and, the hoop but the fact
that they enjoy playing together and they want each other
to succeed and you can actually see that on. THE
court i thinks what's going to make them go from
a good team to a great team to a, you
Know potential.
Speaker 6: Final, fourteen yeah it's that that RECORD that byu has
for THE most ncaa tournament appearances Without a final four
appearances is one that we want to get that we
want to get that off. Our backs, this, YEAR right
i KNOW that's i don't know if. That's quota, you
know we always talk about quota, in football quota. IN
basketball i think, you know last year we were kind, of,
like uh sweet sixteen would.
Speaker 4: Be great they met quota and maybe.
Speaker 6: Even overachieved some people had it at like round of,
thirty two just survived in advanced through. ONE round i
feel like, this year, you know you got to take
a step forward To an elite eight and hopefully you
get To that final, four THOUGH because i think that
would that would be just something that would be monumental
for This bo evan's.
Speaker 7: Basketball, TEAM yeah i. COMPLETELY agree i feel like with
a trajectory Of where, by's going just you know we're
gonna end. Up there and when you have a Guy
like aj who has became the icon he is and
making records and doing all what, he's doing it really
helps just the whole atmosphere of, you know to play
with each other as well as you add the, you
know the the triple Thread of Rob. And, ritchie uh
it's really cool to in funt to watch those guys
play off. EACH other I think by you has every
tool they need to make it to the.
Speaker 3: FINAL four i like that you mentioned every tool triving
to get to the, final four but the tool, of
defense to me has really been. The question these last
couple of games take us back to when you played
and how. THAT'S evolved i Feel Like will void really
has these guys locked in. Now defensively not that you
guys weren't last, you were but it just seems, like
everybody like, you said that culture is bought in where
everyone's playing the league defense.
Speaker 1: Right, NOW.
Speaker 7: Yeah i think. It's funny some people have, asked me
actually the question of what goes ON with byu the
first half compared to the, Second HALF and i just
think the, first half you LOOK, at byu you see
all the intangibles, they have and it's almost it's not
like they overlook, their OPPONENT but i feel like at
times they take unnecessary risks. ON defense i feel like
this year we're way more of a run and. Jump
team we're trying to create as much chaos on the.
Defensive SIDE and i think the, SECOND half i think
everybody starts to buy in and you really get to
see like how important guarding your, yard is how important
guys Like Move canard. Davis is when the guys are
really locked in and they play on a. String together
our defense in the second half is arguably just as Good,
as houston's just as good as all those, You Know.
Iowa stakes it's just we need to be all on
that string the. FIRST half i think if we can,
stream together those two halves together will be, you know,
top five if not number one team in. The, country yeah.
Speaker 3: They're definitely gonna have that opportunity To play Number one
arizona a few times play the Likes. OF houston i
Definitely expect trevonella in the building for both of those
games because those are gonna be big time matchups on
The jumbo trying you and. The, WIFE no i want
you to take me Just Through. Kevin young just there's
like you you said that. HE'S intense I remember i
was talking to you in the post and said. He's
intense but the confidence and the swagger gives. You confidence
just speak to That because i've seen him with, The
cut i've talked to HIM and i felt that intensely
now the last couple of times in the. Post game
but where does he instill that confidence in you guys
the most down?
Speaker 1: The STRETCH because i feel like close ball.
Speaker 3: Game situations that's why you see buzzer beaters some Players
Like rob right.
Speaker 4: The, Third.
Speaker 7: Exactly coach young does. The have he just has a swagger.
ABOUT him i like seeing him always reconnected on a really,
deep level just because he always talked about how he
AND mine i remind him of himself when he used.
To play and you kind of just have to have
that that, unspoken confidence the way you talk to, the
guys how you react to everything. Going on And So,
coach young you saw it on some. Clips recently he.
Dumped it he said it was a couple of, years ago,
but still like he just has. That swagger he has
that confidence that he's instilled in all. OF us i
think some of you guys saw the post game or
the it was halftime clip of he walked in, and
said that's probably one of the worst halfs you could.
Have played it's up to you guys to. Fix it
and so he just continues to like have the confidence
that the guys can fix. On themselves and he just
again he's just such a huge competitor and he. Also
trusts so it's a cool way to have like a
guy that like has that competitive side, to him but
also trust that we can make the. Right plays that
we will make the, right PLAYS and i think that
contributes to the success that helways having.
Speaker 3: As well two questions for. You here the first one
is a. Funny, one well You Mentioned kevin young dunking
that vid or. One viral he says that he did
it with the volleyball and he's got confirmation. With that
you're laughing because, YOU know i need you to tell
me do the coaches get competitive like? After practice Like
Is chris burger just still throwing? It DOWN like i
need to know from your perspective because we don't get to,
See That.
Speaker 1: John lenihan do they still go?
Speaker 5: At?
Speaker 7: It? All Right so i'll tell you. Two things the,
MOST competitive i would say coaches on. The staff So
coach young is, very competitive he's probably. Top tier and
then YOU have Jl And. Coach duncan both of those
guys like are both like every coach is probably, you
know they talk about how hard. They competed those two
guys will still compete till his day. With us they'll
get into. Our grill they'll still talk a. Little smack
you Got coach dunston doing between the. Legs dunks he's super,
Athletics still so if you ever want to see someone
who can, really dunk he probably can dunk better than
everybody on. The team right now Is. COACH duncton i.
Speaker 3: Would have loved to Seek coach Duncan and trey have
a dunk contest those two Because because trey is. EXTREMELY
athletic i loved when he dunked the ball after. That game,
you know he said that he. Received permission we don't
have to talk too much more.
Speaker 7: About it we all thought he should have dunked It At,
west virginia so we gave him a lot of crap
for not. Dunking it and, THEN yeah i was proud
that he was able to just throw it down even
if it.
Speaker 1: DIDN'T count i was proud.
Speaker 3: As well we got former by you GREAT in usa
basketball three. On three trevin now on the line with
this here last couple. Of things but before we let
you get out, Of Here. Richie saunders richie had said
On Bo sports nation early in, the week just want
to get your thoughts. On it you were, his teammate,
HE said I wish i could teach people how to play.
Speaker 1: Us hard that effort.
Speaker 3: On defense richie just. Doesn't, QUIT lily i called Him.
Energizer bunny just speak to that effort. Of that because
there was, a play people might not. Remember, IT canard
i think is. MOVING back i don't know if It's
A california baptist game. Or whatever he pushes him out there,
and says you're gonna go guard that Guy like richie
just doesn't he demands and he think he's not a, Vocal.
Leader trevin, you Know Like kevin young to say he,
doesn't speak but you can always speak. By play but
just from your vantage point And, watching richie he just
he demands everything from his players. And themselves and he
doesn't do a lot of talking with, his lips but
he does a lot of talking with.
Speaker 7: The, BASKETBALL yeah i Absolutely. Love rachie i'm excited to
see where what, he does not only this year to
finish out his CAREER, at byu but, you know his
pro career. AS well i think it was super fun
to be a part of, his journey, AND like i
Feel like i'm more of a. Vocal leader, richie is
like we kind of pink parted off each other, so
well because he's just like, you said he's an energized.
Or bunny he leads by example and he just does
what anybody asks him. To do that's why he's gonna
be such, a good, YOU know nba player and wherever
the ball will, take HIM but byu will NOT be
byu even with all the guys they have Today Without,
rachie saunders because he just dablishes that that culture, he establishes,
you know, the accountability w what he needs to have
and it's just like he just gets Buckets that, i'm
Like only richie can get. Those buckets it's just Like
a richie thing. To do so it's awesome to see
the success that. He's having it's. All deserves he works.
SO hard i always, asked him like even, LAST year,
i said what's? Your secret and he just says that
he knows that he can play harder and longer than,
anybody else and it's only for a short period, of
time so why not go as hard as you can
for the time.
Speaker 1: You're in THAT'S why i.
Speaker 3: LOVE that i think that's amazing that really you need guys,
like that it doesn't matter who. They ARE so I
guess i'll just ask you that, fun question where would
you obviously selfishly probably want To see richie stay home.
And PLAY but i guess from you just watching around
the league at the, next level where do you Feel
like richie would fit in the best without tough. HE
plays i like HIM at okac with how rough those
guys are like because he. Doesn't quit, you know We've
Tried kevin young compared Him To. Alex caruso but what
do You think richie would fit in best at the.
Speaker 1: Next, Level.
Speaker 7: Yeah i'm trying to think of like it'd be cool
to see him stay Stay. IN utah i don't think that's,
Gonna HAPPEN but i Think like richie just is a
guy that does all the. Little things so if you
think about teams that need all the little, things done,
LIKE originally i think like my thought Was, the pistons
Because the pistons, are growing they're a, hungry team and,
they STILL like i feel like they still have that
culture of like those, bad BOYS and I think richie
kind of just fits right Into the i'll go do
whatever it takes to. WIN mentality i Think the pistons
are kind of just growing into that mentality, Right now
so it'd be cool to see him kind of going
to a role where he can still shine and be
able to do all the things that.
Speaker 3: He, does Yeah if richie could be a part of
the Bad boy, PISTONS man, i, mean hey he would
fit right in because he don't take give me some insight.
To this so we'll get you out here on This
and i'll get a score prediction. From You does richie talk?
SMACK like i feel like he, just balls but he
seems like a silent killer or, Silent assassin but you.
Speaker 1: Never know it's hard.
Speaker 3: To see sometimes he's not like a j where he's
me mucky you down the court ninety four feet that
rips you up and goes the.
Speaker 1: Other WAY but i Feel, Like richie richie got some dog.
Speaker 7: In, Him yeah richie. Definitely does he's not a Talker
like i'm a talker like someone Talks about, oh yes
you are so Like and i'll let them know down
the whole Court if i'll make a shot, on him
like they're gonna. HEAR it i think that's just THE
way i had to play to bull get. Myself GOING
and I Think coach young obviously liked that too and
kind of got like our team in. That Mindset but
richie's just a guy like if you, bumped him he's
gonna bump you twice. As hard if you kind of throw,
An elbow richie's gonna throw. An Elbow like he's just
like the guy that just will not, take anything and he's,
just like whatever, You do i'll do ten. Times better
and so he's definitely the type of person that will not,
say anything but he'll let his attitude and his and
his work ethic just kind of beat you down more
and more until you get even. More frustrated so it's
it's a cool way, to. Play, Honestly honestly i'd rather
have You.
Speaker 3: Talking trev did you that didn't Have somebody It's Like.
Tim duncan you probably saw the Video Of, kevin garnett
who was one that was know, trash talk but they
get in. Your head he's like It Was. Tim dunky
he didn't, say that he, black nice try. GOT you
i feel Like that's richie just twice as hard as,
says nothing sticks to the game and just mentally takes.
You out yeah it's crazy to, watch that but, you
HEY look i loved when you, trash talk, you know
you know how this was not that shut out with the.
TEAM anymore i Remember the. Arizona game bro just bumped
into YOU and i, was, like hey let him. Have
it Bro, Like colorado, Like, HEY trev i love the,
smack talk. The energy you definitely lit the fire and
that definitely GOT the bnch. Going TOO so i don't
want people to think IF if i got to. Be,
reserving now sometimes you need to hit a shot.
Speaker 1: And let a.
Speaker 3: Guy know so just between me, and you just Don't
Let tony padia ref the game because that just doesn't
seem we'll.
Speaker 4: Be good well That's what. I'M saying i, was like
what what? Do you what? Do you what were you
Saying to tony to get it on his?
Speaker 6: Bad side he only, Said boom i'm just.
Speaker 4: Say something else.
Speaker 7: To him according, To him i'm one of his favorite Players.
Speaker 4: TO rev.
Speaker 3: I don't know if this because the second ago fouls
and whats as we say on, the segment where is, The?
Lie tony where is the, Like trail let's get you
out of here On this we're running out.
Speaker 1: Of time we got two. Minutes left. Score prediction how
do you see? This one plan? Out?
Speaker 7: Tonight yeah i'm taking the OVER. On, BYU like i
just don't think any team respectfully can hang. WITH them
i feel like they kind of have the mindset of
they're going to kind of just like the last game we.
Saw it they handle business. Right away they're trying to
get more fast. BREAK points i just don't think any
team that's not In the big twelve conference right now
can unless they're, you Know The north carolina Is the
dukes of. The COUNTRY so i don't take. THE over
i don't really have a Core prediction bob taking the over.
Speaker 3: For sure hey take THE over byu improves the eleven
and one extendson non conference win street to twenty five on,
the night And then kevin.
Speaker 4: The spreads thirty three and. A half by, THE way.
Speaker 1: I think he'll take the. COVER too I think trev's gonna.
Speaker 7: Be confident still taking.
Speaker 6: The over.
Speaker 3: Come on, you know, he's Confident but trev's booking it taking.
The over take, the, over GUYS take byu covering they
approved eleven and one twenty five win streaking Non Conference
kevin young improved a twenty and two. Overall trap thanks
For you, tom, today brother and hopefully we can catch
up with you later in these pregames during.
Speaker 4: The, SEASON yeah i.
Speaker 7: Appreciate, you guys thanks for having me. In gokus of.
Speaker 3: Course That was trevin. Nil everybody we'll let Trevn. Go
ben i'll get your. Score prediction we got. Thirty seconds
i'm gonna take the over, as WELL and i also
WILL take byu covering with.
Speaker 1: THE dub i don't care what the. SCORE is byu
improves eleven and.
Speaker 4: One, tonight YEAH all i care.
Speaker 6: About is beating this team more than YOU of a.
Beat him so it was ninety six to. Sixty two
that was on, The Sixteenth so i'm gonna take the cover.
AS well I think byu eclipses one hundred points again
and holds them to. Sixty two so one hundred and.
Sixty two that's that's my. Score prediction that's the.
Speaker 3: Score prediction guys who gotta get out got. Five seconds
but thanks for tuning into the basketball pregame show here
ON one o three nine in ninety eight three