BYU Basketball: Kevin Young's system isn't finished yet

This season hasn't begun nearly as dominant as Mark Pope's final year as head coach of BYU basketball, where it seemed that every non-conference game against a lesser opponent was a monumental blowout.

In two of the Cougars' first four games, we saw the architecture of Kevin Young's roster struggle to be cohesive as they endured the upset bids of UC Riverside and Idaho--a team that felt in control of that contest until the beginning of the second half.

Yet, BYU still remains unbeaten and receiving votes for the AP Top 25 (this team would be ranked 29th if the rankings extended further), Egor Demin is a national sensation, and returning veterans are stepping up to fill in the gaps.

But Richie Saunders and Fousseyni Traore can't soothe all of BYU's ailments, though they've done a great job thus far. Free throw shooting has been abhorrent in their first stretch of games, and some of the new pieces haven't managed to coagulate with their teammates. Streaky shooting and surprisingly porous defense have allowed their opponents to remain in the rearview mirror, but they always feel closer than they appear.

Could these be minor hiccups that Coach Young and his staff are already attacking? Is it only a matter of time before the likes of Ole Miss and Providence rip open the drywall to reveal the fatal black mold within, or is this a major overreaction?

There's no need to hit the panic button yet, but should we be worried about this team?

Kevin Young's system isn't working perfectly in the beginning of the season--but I'll tell you why that's okay. So stop worrying.

Creating the Confluence

When the paths of two rivers join to flow together, that intersection is called a confluence. Two swift, powerful bodies of water collide in perfect cohesion to establish an even stronger flow.

In the modern age of transfer portal mania and freshmen phenoms, BYU basketball has made the necessary moves to survive and adapt, but establishing cohesion between players who are still unfamiliar with each other takes time and concentration.

Young NBA prospects Demin and Catchings are here to develop NBA skills and advance to the highest level of the sport after a year in Provo. Transfers and newcomers like Boskovic, Keita, and Mag may still be uncomfortable operating in a new system.

Here's the point: each of these players are distinct entities that need to form a union capable of moving with greater speed and power than the sum of their parts. For rivers, creating a confluence can take centuries. We can give a basketball team more time than a few weeks.

Riding the Wave

Kevin Young's NBA status was well-understood by those in basketball circles. The highest-paid and one of the most valuable assistants at the highest level of the sport condescended from the heights of the game to lead a new age for BYU basketball.

But Young is not an infallible god of hoops--he's new to this.

Being the head coach, recruiting freshmen, developing a system, making adjustments, and so much more is on Young's plate. He's hired a terrific supporting staff and is constructing a viable foundation to point to when incoming recruits ask why BYU can prepare them for the NBA.

Just like learning to surf, you can discuss technique, scenarios, and everything imaginable in an attempt to prepare, but you'll never get it right until you get into the water and ride the wave. Coach Young is new to coaching at the college level, but he's not afraid to carve the waves.

Sure, it's a work in progress. Sure, not every game has looked effortless. But don't neglect the positive steps this team has taken on a game-by-game basis--this team is moving in the right direction.

Mike Magpayo, head coach of UC Riverside shared an interesting insight when sharing his thoughts on BYU's new coach.

"I’ve got a lot of respect for [and] I have a lot of friends who are close with Kevin Young," he shared, "I know what a good coach he is. But [his system is] not super complicated."

That system? Put his players in a position to succeed. Egor Demin claims the spotlight in Provo, but he can move the ball so well because his teammates are always ready to catch a pass, dive to the hoop, or give the 6'9" point guard space to operate.

Many teams will gameplan with Demin in mind, but it's Kevin Young's mind they'll need to account for. Countless adjustments have given the Cougars an in-game advantage this season; their momentum is good.

Don't worry about the early season mishaps just yet--BYU basketball has put its full trust in Kevin Young.

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