The bench. Pedestrians view the concept as a place of comfort, a place of rest. Court justices view it as a station of authority. Basketball players dread the bench--that sideline scarlet letter that brands every player who opens a matchup with their rear end plastered to their seats.
For BYU basketball, however, the bench can be viewed as head coach Kevin Young's armory. A strategic storehouse for hooping missiles to bolt from their rest and lock into their role on the court.
Especially as the Cougars were the beneficiaries of the transfer portal and highly-rated recruiting success, remnants of the old guard now watch over the barracks in an effort to bolster the attack from the second lines. Well-weathered veterans populate the second unit, adding some age to the cumulative cheese. Crouching tigers among hidden dragons.
Did anything I just say make any sense? BYU has a dangerous bench, and it's time we put some spotlight on that. So I will.
Here are three major weapons hidden on Kevin Young's bench.
Fousseyni Traore - Forward
The 6'6" big often fills in the center slot for this team, but he plays significantly larger than his frame would suggest. Alarming bounce and a wingspan that makes up any difference make Traore an excellent forward even among players 6+ inches taller than him.
A fan favorite since his freshman season, Fouss dominates the paint and ran with the starters until last season saw him shifted to the bench. Undeterred, Traore remains one of the Cougars most talented forwards, and certainly the most gifted offensively.
His size isn't always completely irrelevant, however, and it can become a weakness when it comes to rebounding and defending.
Dallin Hall - Guard
Hall's return to BYU after entering the transfer portal drew a major sigh of relief from the BYU faithful. A four-star transfer and last year's floor general, Hall was poised for another year of steady progress.
Egor Demin's arrival complicated Dallin's situation.
With play styles that heavily rely on distribution, when Hall and Demin share playing time, the offensive efficiency takes a significant dip, forcing Coach Young to offset their minutes. Dallin Hall is a starting-caliber point guard in the Big 12. BYU is fortunate enough to have a player like him in the reserve.
Kanon Catchings - Wing
Kanon Catchings signed with the Cougars under the expectation that he'd be NBA-bound by season's end. The year hasn't worked quite as smoothly as expected for Kanon, to the point where he now faces lessened playing time during the conference schedule.
Despite his diminished role, Catchings can be dangerous when he gets into a groove. A streaky 3-point shooter and elastic athlete, Kanon is good for one audible "whoa" per game. If he can reclaim some lost confidence, it may be difficult to keep this wing grounded.