BYU Basketball Takeaways From Dominant Win Against No. 23 Kansas
Feb 18, 2025, 9:32 PM | Updated: Feb 19, 2025, 10:12 am
PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team blew the doors off the No. 23 Kansas Jayhawks 91-57.
Trevin Knell helped the Cougars jump out to a 13-5 lead after burying a pair of triples and BYU never looked back.
Let’s get to some takeaways from a night that will never be forgotten by the Cougar faithful.
Richie Saunders was the best player on the floor
The evolution of Richie Saunders under head coach Kevin Young is nothing short of remarkable.
He’s started all 26 games this season after only starting three times in his first two years at BYU.
Saunders played out of position under former head coach Mark Pope. His defensive tenacity made him a valuable player, but it wasn’t until he changed roles under Young that his offensive game blossomed.
Richie Saunders in the first half against Kansas.
14 points
5-5 FG
4-4 3PT
2 Rebounds
2 Assists
0 Turnovers
(+23)
18 minutes— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 19, 2025
He played the part of a 1st team Big 12 player against Kansas scoring a game-high 22 points. He went 4 of 8 from the three-point line and made all five attempts from inside the paint.
It’s impressive that Saunders can score at every level. He’s one of the most consistent shooters on the team while providing BYU with a player who can finish at the rim.
His scoring is up six points per game, and more impressively, his three-point shooting percentage has increased by eight percentage points to over 42 percent on the year.
The fact that he has sustained this level of play after becoming a target of opponents’ scouting reports is another testament to his work ethic and improvement under Young.
BYU basketball was efficient offensively
The Cougars played their best game of the season offensively. It felt like they were able to get any shot they wanted against the Jayhawks.
BYU assisted on 24 of their 34 field goals while only turning the ball over 10 times. In the first half, the Cougars assisted on all 15 made field goals.
Dallin Hall led the Cougars with eight assists. He added 10 points as well. Hall was one of five BYU players who scored in double figures.
BYU with a season-high 10 first half 3-pointers marking the first time they have connected on double digit triples in the opening 20 minutes since Jan. 20, 2024 at Texas Tech.#BYUHoops #GoCougs
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) February 19, 2025
The Cougars had six players shoot better than 50 percent from the field.
Kansas was a good defensive team coming into the game. They ranked in the top 50 of college basketball teams in scoring defense. However, that didn’t translate on the road as BYU shot 51.5 percent for the game.
The Marriott Center was electric
BYU fans waited a long time to be playing in meaningful conference games. Sure, games against Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s drew large crowds, but those brands aren’t on the same level as Kansas.
Cougar fans didn’t disappoint in their passion and energy against the Jayhawks.
ESPN analyst Sean Farnham began the broadcast standing in the ROC, which showcased one of the great student sections in college basketball.
BYU is off to a blistering hot start and the Marriott Center is rockin’ pic.twitter.com/Zt2e5qGtdV
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) February 19, 2025
BYU would go on to lead Kansas by 20 points at the half. It’s the largest halftime deficit the Jayhawks have faced this season.
It didn’t get any better in the second half either as the Cougars led by as many as 38 points.
Kevin Young joined Scott Van Pelt on Sportscenter immediately after the conclusion of the game.
Nights like this one are a reminder the Marriott Center is one of the elite venues in college basketball. It’s been this way for years, but it’s fun to see it come to life on a national stage.
You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or on Cougar Nation Monday nights from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. You can also find him on Twitter @baiamontematt here.
Take us with you wherever you go.
