This BYU team is not where we expected it to be. Injuries, inconsistent defense and rebounding, and a bench that struggled early in the season have sent the Cougars down an unexpected path.
The reserves have not produced the way many thought they would. Losing Dawson Baker early in the season hurt, as he likely would have been the top scorer off the bench and a much-needed leader.
Now, with Saunders injured, the Cougars will be without their senior leader and one of their most important players. Despite that, recent victories have given us reason to believe that some March magic might still be ahead.
If BYU is going to make a deep run in the tournament, a few things will have to go right. It starts with effort.
1. Defense and Rebounding: Play Like Your Life Depends On It
BYU’s biggest wins this season have come when the team has played with tremendous effort on defense and on the glass. That’s when this team looks its best.
Against Texas Tech, we saw inspiring individual performances from several key players along with a strong defensive effort from the group as a whole.
Part of what ultimately ended BYU’s conference tournament run was allowing second-chance points to a team that often makes the most of those opportunities. If BYU is going to make it back to the Sweet 16 or beyond, it will take that same level of effort on defense and rebounding every night.
2. The Bench Must Continue to Deliver
After the injury to Saunders, we have seen surprising and much-needed performances from the reserves. Diomande has come out of nowhere recently, adding energy and effort on both ends of the court. Defensively, Mboup has been a nightmare for opposing teams.
If Kostic can continue to knock down threes when they are needed, BYU should have enough depth and talent to at least get through the first two rounds.
3. Play Through the Turmoil
March is truly madness, full of setbacks and surprises that can derail even the best teams.
BYU could face poor officiating, a difficult matchup, more injuries, or simply a bad shooting night. Or, like last year, they could run into a team that suddenly catches fire from three. Whatever comes their way, they have to keep playing. That’s the reality of March.
This team has already faced plenty of adversity this season. They have fallen behind in games and fought their way back time and time again. Maybe they are due for a few of those games to go their way.
Weather the storm and stay alive. Because in March, just surviving is enough.