No. 11 BYU Faces Tough Big 12 Challenge Against Surging TCU Wednesday Night
Second-year BYU basketball coach Kevin Young stirred conversation recently regarding his team’s ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Despite the Cougars’ impressive victories last week, they slipped from No. 9 to No. 11. This drop occurred after BYU won two Big 12 games: a dominant 104-76 win against Arizona State and a hard-fought 89-84 victory over rival Utah.
Upcoming Challenge for BYU
The Cougars, currently holding a record of 15-1 and 3-0 in the Big 12, face a significant challenge on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. MST. They will host the TCU Horned Frogs, who hold a record of 11-5 with a 1-2 mark in the conference. The game will take place at the Marriott Center and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
BYU’s Current Performance
Coach Young emphasized the strength of the Big 12, acknowledging the competitiveness of the league, which features multiple teams in the national rankings. He expressed confusion over the poll’s mechanisms, noting that BYU’s only loss was a close two-point defeat to UConn, the current No. 3 team.
Despite the recent ranking drop, the Cougars are positioned well, sitting at No. 9 in the NET rankings and No. 11 in Kenpom metrics. They have significant opportunities ahead, with ten of their remaining Big 12 games classified as Quad 1 matchups.
Focus on Upcoming Opponent: TCU
TCU is coming off a challenging week, suffering an overtime loss to No. 22 Kansas and falling to No. 1 Arizona. Their offensive capability is evident, averaging 80.4 points per game while allowing 68.4 points defensively. Key players include forward David Punch, who leads the team with 14.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and guard Brock Harding, who averages 6.2 assists.
- Opponent: TCU Horned Frogs
- Game Time: Wednesday, 9 p.m. MST
- Location: Marriott Center
- Current BYU Record: 15-1, 3-0 Big 12
- Current TCU Record: 11-5, 1-2 Big 12
Local Ties on TCU’s Roster
TCU has players with connections to BYU, such as guard Tanner Toolson and center Adam Stewart. Toolson, who previously played for BYU, is known for his tenacity on the court. Coach Young has praised Toolson’s skills and expressed a desire for healthy competition on Wednesday night.
As the season progresses, BYU looks to maintain momentum and prove their worth within the competitive framework of the Big 12. The upcoming game against TCU will be a crucial test as they aim for continued success in their campaign.
