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BYU Basketball: Trying to understand what’s going on

By Adam Gibby

Jan 13, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Brigham Young Cougars forward Seneca Knight (24) reacts after a foul called against BYU during a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won 110-84. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Brigham Young Cougars forward Seneca Knight (24) reacts after a foul called against BYU during a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won 110-84. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Brigham Young Cougars forward Seneca Knight (24) reacts after a foul called against BYU during a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won 110-84. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Brigham Young Cougars forward Seneca Knight (24) reacts after a foul called against BYU during a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won 110-84. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Less than two weeks after reaffirming his commitment to BYU Basketball, Seneca Knight announced he will be entering the transfer portal.

If you are active on Twitter you’ve likely seen the meme of Will Smith looking around the empty room in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air looking lonely and confused.

That is probably about how the remaining players are feeling for BYU Basketball. In what feels like a complete roster turnover, the Cougars are going to have rediscover who they are as a team.

As of right now, the list of players who will not be on the roster next season who played this season are: (In order of importance, in my opinion)

  • Seneca Knight (Transfer Portal)
  • Caleb Lohner (Transferred to Baylor)
  • Hunter Erickson (Transfer Portal)
  • Gavin Baxter (Transferred to Utah)
  • Nate Hansen (Transfer Portal)
  • Alex Barcello (Graduation)
  • Te’Jon Lucas (Graduation)

What is left of the 2021-22 team is essentially Trevin Knell, Spencer Johnson, Atiki-Ally-Atiki, Gideon George, Fousse Traore and a few bench players who didn’t contribute significantly this past season.

Yes, it is looking like BYU is going to have more players transfer/graduate than have on the roster next year from this past season.

So what is going on? I’ve covered a few different possibilities in other articles, but one thing seems for sure, nobody seems to really know.

On one hand, you can criticize Mark Pope and the coaching staff. After all, it was just two weeks ago sent Seneca Knight sent out the following tweet.

https://twitter.com/Sen_13_/status/1516867807274618881?s=20&t=44rkSOGtthqwRrZLI_2CvQ

Yet here we are.

On the other hand, it appeared that Gideon George was on his way out before recommitting himself to play another season for the Cougars. Getting him back will be huge for the team next year because he will bring some very much needed experience to the team that is now appearing to likely feature at least two or three players at any given moment on the court who did not play last season.

When we look at everything, patience is still the answer. BYU lost some big names to the transfer portal, but they may get even bigger names to commit. We aren’t even a month removed from the NCAA Tournament ending, so there is no reason to hit the panic button .

…

…

Yet.

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