Throughout the latter half of the BYU basketball season, I found myself continually asking the question, “Where would we be without Mawot Mag?” The graduate transfer from Rutgers was instrumental throughout the season for Kevin Young, providing a steady veteran presence on both sides of the ball. Without a defined role coming into the season, Mag grinded his way from bench to starter, and from little known transfer to fan-favorite, reflecting the larger story of the BYU season as a whole, as the Cougars went from unranked to sweet sixteen stardom.
Mag's Impact
It’s no secret that BYU struggled early on this past season, losing three of their four first Big 12 contests. But when Mag permanently entered the starting lineup for the first time against Oklahoma State, the Cougars caught fire, winning 16 of their final 21 games.
Was BYU going to experience some sort of turnaround regardless of Mag’s impact? Probably. It’s tough to imagine a much worse start, and with a new head coach and new roster, things take some time to click. But, I don’t think it’s possible to separate Mag ‘s impact from BYU's impressive run either. The Cougars didn’t just claw their way back into the picture, but did so dominantly thanks to Mag’s consistent performance.
Season Performance
Any deep-dive into Mawot Mag’s season and impact starts with his defense. As Richie Saunders graduated from glue guy to stardom this year, Mag was there to provide a similar role to that of Saunders last year.
His ability to take on and limit the opposing team’s best player is what earned him his increased playing time back in late December. On a team that overall struggled to defend, Mag’s intensity, technique and hustle were much appreciated. In BYU’s most important win of the year, it was Mag who defended Wisconsin superstar All-American John Tonje on the final possession, forcing up an airball to secure the Cougars a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.
Offensively, Mag was a bit more limited, but still quite effective. After only knocking down 26 total 3s across his previous four years at a 26% clip, he made 29 this past season alone, shooting over 39% from 3. Whenever the offense needed a little boost, Mag seemed to always deliver, never hesitating, but also never shooting ill-advised shots. As the season progressed, he was able to more consistently use his shooting threat to keep defenders honest and put the ball on the floor when needed.
Outside of his shot and certain moments near the basket, Mag did lack some athleticism and creation offensively. While those things may be a weakness in his game, they weren’t exactly a detriment to BYU’s success. The Cougars had plenty of other players suited to carry the offense, so Mag could carry the load defensively and deliver in a more specialized role on the offense.
Final Grade: A
While never the best player on the floor, Mag consistently demonstrated what it meant to be team player. For excellence in his role, and an unquestioned impact on BYU's remarkable turnaround, he earns high marks for his final collegiate season.