3 Takeaways from a Big 12 Tournament exit for BYU basketball
The Big 12 Tournament proved to be an excellent test for the BYU Cougars, they had a thrilling matchup with Iowa State and another rematch with the other Big 12 Cougars. We learned a lot about the team, and hopefully they learned a lot about themselves.
1. BYU can hang with just about anyone
BYU has proved time and time again that they have the ability to hang with just about anyone. They have defeated Iowa State, a 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, twice in the past two weeks (once on their home court in Ames). They crushed Kansas in Provo, they defeated Arizona and Arizona State on their home floors, and finished fourth in an incredibly competitive Big 12 Conference. All this considering it is only the second season since BYU joined the conference.
Coach Young said it best, “You’re not punking BYU. We’re doing the punking!”
2. Houston is very good
BYU matched up in the semifinal against maybe the only team in the Big 12 that they haven’t been able to hang with. Yet. The power in “yet” is incredible, my friends.
The second 20+ loss to the Cougars from down south made it very apparent why Houston is one of the title favorites, and a #1 seed in the Midwest division.
Houston has the best defensive efficiency in the country, the second-best scoring defense, and the second-best overall defense (according to KenPom). Make no mistakes, Kelvin Sampson is a very good coach and his teams always play very tough.
3. This BYU team has a chance to do something special
It has been quite a while since BYU last won an NCAA Tournament game, as they last won against Iona in a First Four game in 2012. Richie Saunders was 12 years old.
This BYU team feels different, the coaching feels different, the players attitude feels different. There is something about this team that really feels like they have a chance to do something special. This team has a swagger that the Cougars haven’t had for quite a while.
This was most apparent to me during the Big 12 quarterfinal game against Iowa State. That felt like one of the games that BYU has historically lost. A tough environment against a good team, and this time it was much different. The eyes of the country have fallen on BYU.
Although it might not have ended how many BYU fans hoped, there is a lot to be encouraged by from the Big 12 Tournament. Playing in the semifinals in one of the toughest conferences in the country is no joke, and it hopefully leaves the Cougars polished and poised for a deep run this March.
