The 2026-27 BYU Cougars are rolling at 3-0 and sporting a Top 25 rating. Kevin Young has assembled an offensive machine that's chewing up opposing defenses and spitting them out. The Cougs are hitting 54.1% of their field goals and a sizzling 44.9% of their 3-pointers.
While BYU doesn't appear to need any more offensive reinforcements, they're expected to get one tonight.
Veteran guard Dawson Baker should be seeing the court for the first time in 12 months after tearing his ACL last year. While he will likely be eased into his scoring role off the bench, a fully-healthy Dawson Baker could be a key for the Cougs once Big 12 play starts.
The veteran of veterans
Calling Dawson Baker a "veteran" in college basketball needs some additional context.
The sweet-shooting 6-foot-4 marksman is beginning his seventh season of college basketball. Baker spent the first three seasons of his lengthy college journey at UC Irvine. During his time there he averaged 12.9 points per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and a serviceable 37.8% from the 3-point line.
He transferred to Provo for the 2023-24 season but his year lasted just four games due to season-ending foot surgery.
He returned in 2024-25 and played a key scoring role off the bench, putting up 7.5 points per game while shooting 38% from the 3-point line. The Cougs made the Sweet Sixteen that year, and Baker was a key contributor in getting them there.
Last year his season lasted just six games before tearing his ACL in November 2025. Throw in a COVID year and his injuries, and Baker returns tonight against Montana State to kick off his seventh college season.
What to expect from Dawson Baker this year
Tonight against Montana State, expect a limited role for Dawson Baker.
And expect the Marriott Center to go nuts when he enters the game.
Cougar fans have a lot of love for Baker, both for the shooting he brings to stretch the floor and for his resilience in coming back from two season-ending injuries in three years while wearing the royal blue. He has been a solid team-first guy and never complained about coming off the bench or playing an important but secondary role on talented Cougar teams.
Expectations for Dawson Baker tonight is a light re-entry back back into action, and maybe getting a bucket or two. Coach Kevin Young is asking himself and his staff how they can have Baker back to 100% when Big 12 play starts later this season, so expect a light workload tonight and over the next six weeks.
Looking beyond just Dawson Baker as the Cougars take on the Montana State Bobcats tonight, it should be a fun game.
Montana State is 1-1 on the season. They lost their first game in a competitive contest with Colorado State in which the Bobcats led with 15 minutes left in the game and trailed just 77-72 with about two minutes left before falling. Montana State won their second game in a 13-point victory over Long Beach State.
This is a good Montana State team that went 18-14 last year including a 12-6 record in Big Sky play while finishing second in the conference. While BYU should be able to come away with a win tonight, they will need to play crisp, rebound, and defend the 3-point line. Based on how the Cougars have played over their first three games, they should be able to do just that.
Final score: BYU 94, Montana State 72
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