BYU basketball's postseason success is proving Kevin Young's program

The proof is in the results, and Kevin Young has the Cougars dancing through the NCAA Tournament's second weekend.
Mar 20, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young reacts during the second half against the VCU Rams in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Mar 20, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young reacts during the second half against the VCU Rams in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

BYU basketball entered this season with high expectations, to say the least. Kevin Young was hired after Mark Pope’s departure, and success was expected immediately.

Prior to accepting the head coaching job for BYU basketball, Kevin Young had risen through the ranks at the NBA level and was widely regarded as one of the top NBA assistant coaches. Kevin Young’s appointment to BYU head coach was somewhat surprising since Kevin Young was viewed as next in line for an NBA head coaching job. 

BYU is clearly going all in on basketball, as shown by the hiring of Kevin Young, as well as the multi-million dollar signing of AJ Dybantsa. To quote Uncle Ben in Spiderman: “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Or in other words, with Kevin Young being the highly-qualified, and high-profile hire that he was, immediate success would be required. 

The start of the season was honestly underwhelming and downright disappointing. However, a weak start to the season quickly turned into a strong season when they started out 1-4 in Big 12 play, but finished with an outstanding 14-3 run. Within that 14-3 stretch they recorded 6 Quadrant One wins.

Regular-season success is not something out of the ordinary for the BYU Cougars. But BYU fans know all too well the struggle BYU has in the postseason. Prior to this year, 2012 had been the last time BYU had won a March Madness tournament game. This season, however, Kevin Young’s side has recorded two March Madness wins already, over VCU and Wisconsin, and will be looking for a third against Alabama this Thursday.

It feels like BYU's March Madness curse has been broken. Advancing to the Sweet Sixteen makes this season the most successful season for BYU basketball in recent memory. BYU’s recent win over Wisconsin marks the furthest that BYU has advanced in March Madness since Danny Ainge and the Cougars went to the Elite 8 in 1980-81. The last time BYU went to the Sweet Sixteen was with Jimmer Fredette in 2011. 

What has made Kevin Young so successful in his first year?  Aside from the all-NBA staff he brought in, I think that Kevin Young has a way of connecting with his players and galvanizing his squad in a way that Mark Pope couldn’t. Kevin Young is clearly a good coach, and his program is working as shown by BYU’s postseason success. If BYU is able to be this successful in Kevin Young’s first year as head coach, I’m excited to see what the future has in store. 

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