Why Richie Saunders should be a First Team All-Big 12 selection
Not only has the junior forward enjoyed a breakout campaign, but his efforts are among the conference’s best
This past April, BYU appeared to be in danger of losing Richie Saunders.
Amid coaching uncertainty in Provo, Saunders entered the transfer portal and was believed by many to be following Mark Pope to Kentucky.
Luckily for new head coach Kevin Young, Saunders was ultimately persuaded to return to BYU, where he’s become the face of a Cougars squad poised to reach the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.
“I just love coaching him because he does exactly what you ask him to do,” Young told reporters Monday of Saunders. “He does what he’s good at. That sounds easy, but I think there’s a real skill to just doing what you’re good at and doing it at a high level. I think that’s part of what separates Richie. I mean, his mindset is ultimately what separates him, he just doesn’t get deterred. He has an uncommon motor.”
Saunders is scoring more than any other BYU forward since Yoeli Childs.
He’s developed into one of the best deep shooting threats in the country.
He’s played hero for the Cougars on a number of occasions and has maintained the same defensive tenacity and hustle that made him an immediate fan favorite at BYU.
“The stuff we’re asking him to do is the exact same thing NBA teams are gonna ask him to do,” Young said. “Space the floor, play off closeouts and make quick decisions, and he excels at that more than most players I’ve coached.”
High praise from a man who’s coached a number of NBA All-Stars and MVPs.
With two contests left to play in the regular season, it’s safe to say Saunders will earn some sort of All-Big 12 recognition when the conference announces its awards next week.
But any All-Big 12 First Team without Saunders would be criminally incomplete. He’s more than worthy of a spot among the conference’s best players.
BYU hasn’t boasted First Team talent since Alex Barcello in the WCC in 2022. Saunders could — and should — hold the honor of being the program’s first-ever such selection in the Big 12.
Richie Saunders’ All-Big 12 résumé
- Saunders is the Big 12’s second-leading scorer (17.8 points) in conference play.
- In Big 12 play, Saunders ranks third in field goal percentage (53.6%), second in made 3-pointers per game (2.7) and first in 3-point percentage (45.7%).
- Saunders is the only player in the country averaging at least 15 points, four rebounds, and one steal with less than two turnovers per game while also shooting 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range.
- Statistically, Saunders is the best shooter in the Big 12. His 64.9% effective field goal and 67.1% true shooting marks are each the best in the league.
- Saunders is one of just three players to score 20-plus points eight times in Big 12 play.
- Saunders is the only player in the Big 12 to make six 3-pointers in multiple games — which he’s accomplished three times.
- Saunders has put up his impressive scoring numbers without much help from the foul line. He’s the only player among the Big 12’s top 10 scorers to rank outside of the conference’s top 40 in free-throw attempts.
- Additionally, due to BYU’s 11-man rotation, Saunders plays the fewest minutes per game of any of the Big 12’s top 10 scorers. When he’s on the court, he makes it count.
- Saunders boasts the fifth-best offensive rating in the Big 12 (128.1) and ranks fourth in player efficiency rating (23.5).
- Of the top 10 scorers in the Big 12, Saunders is one of just three to rank within the top 20 in lowest turnover rate.
- Saunders is tied for second in the Big 12 with 2.9 offensive win shares.
- Saunders also ranks second in the Big 12 with an offensive box plus-minus of +7.7, which currently ranks as the third-highest single season mark in BYU history.
- Saunders is one of four players to earn multiple Big 12 Player of the Week awards this season, and one of just two to do so during conference play.
- Watch Saunders play. Watch the way he dives after loose balls, chases down opponents in transition and never takes his foot off the gas pedal defensively. Watch his energy and how his teammates feed off of it. Watch how he always seems to get a bucket when BYU needs one. Not only is he one of the best players in the conference statistically, but his non-box score value is sky high as well. Saunders isn’t just deserving of a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team — the choice seems to be fairly obvious.
