Latest news with #BYUBasketball
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU football recruit sparks buzz as MVP of Under Armour Next Camp
When Bott Mulitalo lines up in the trenches, you can feel the shift. Pads pop a little louder. Coaches stop mid-sentence. Recruits watch quietly. And last weekend at the Under Armour Next Camp in Salt Lake City, the Lone Peak standout made sure everyone knew why he's BYU's top offensive line commit in the class of 2026. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Mulitalo left no doubt, taking home the Offensive Line MVP award after a commanding performance that showcased his raw strength, balance, and explosiveness against the best competition from across the West. The four-star recruit didn't just win reps—he erased defenders. Advertisement Mulitalo, who is currently rated No. 90 overall in the 2026 class by 247Sports, has transitioned from the defensive line to offensive tackle, a move that looks more genius by the day. While he continues to refine his pass-blocking sets, his natural ability to anchor and drive defenders into the turf is already at a collegiate level. It wasn't just the trophy that made headlines—it was who he did it in front of. The Salt Lake City edition of the Under Armour Camp drew elite talent from states like Arizona, California, Oregon, and Colorado. Among the BYU faithful, though, Mulitalo's performance stood tallest. He was one of five Cougar commits competing, part of a strong showing from BYU's 2026 class that also included fellow four-star Brock Harris. Mulitalo's early commitment to BYU came after flipping from Oregon, largely due to his growing connection with offensive line coach TJ Woods. That bond now looks like a cornerstone in BYU's rebuilding strategy up front. The message from Mulitalo this weekend was clear: he's not just committed—he's coming for dominance. Advertisement If this is what he's doing before his senior year, just imagine the impact when he finally suits up in Cougar blue. Related: AJ Dybantsa take his talents to international stage Related: BYU Basketball players are turning heads for unexpected choice
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
CBS Sports analyst drops bold prediction for BYU Basketball next season
BYU Basketball is getting national hype going into the next season. After top recruit AJ Dybantsa arrived on campus the feeling around the program has intensified. This comes months after Kevin Young's first year with the Cougars ended in a Sweet 16 loss to Alabama. Most analysts have BYU as a top 10 team going into the 2025-26 college basketball season. Jon Rothstein believes this could be a historic year for Young's team and sees a deep tournament run on the horizon. "I think if you're a BYU fan now and you went to the Sweet 16 without a talent like [AJ Dybantsa], the goal and the realistic expectations for BYU should be to go to a Final Four. And I don't even think that's anything that should blink at," Rothstein said on his podcast. BYU not only has Dybantsa, but Baylor transfer Rob Wright will be one of the best guards in the nation. Richie Saunders is a proven All-Big 12 talent and put off the NBA to "run it back" in Provo. While Dybantsa already said he's out after the upcoming season, he'll be a leader on this team and a likely candidate to be the top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Advertisement Related: BYU Basketball players are turning heads for unexpected choice If BYU can reach the final phase of March Madness, it would be unprecedented. The Cougars have only experienced one Elite Eight run under the current NCAA tournament format. Danny Ainge led the Cougars to the best result in 1981. Since then, the 2011 team came close with a 83-74 Sweet 16 overtime loss to No. 2 seeded Florida. Related: AJ Dybantsa admits BYU wasn't top school, blown away by NBA ready program Needless to say, the expectations are high for BYU this year. If they come together and play outstanding basketball, the sky's the limit. It's not unrealistic to say the Cougars could be the team to beat in the Big 12.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU to face ACC opponent at Jimmy V Classic
Lights. Legacy. The Garden. On December 9, BYU Basketball will step into the spotlight of Madison Square Garden to face Clemson in the storied Jimmy V Classic—a stage where legends are made, and reputations are tested. For a program on the rise, this isn't just a game. It's a declaration. BYU's Most Anticipated Season Yet Advertisement Fresh off a Sweet 16 run, the Cougars are riding a wave of momentum into the 2025–26 season. Led by returning standouts Richie Saunders and Keba Keita, BYU is pairing experience with one of the top recruiting classes in the country. Freshmen AJ Dybantsa and Xavier Staton, along with transfers Rob Wright and Kennard Davis, look to propel BYU to a Final Four. The spotlight at MSG will be one of the earliest—and brightest—tests for a squad looking to prove it belongs among college basketball's elite. BYU's Keba Keita during the NCAA TourBYU Athletics Clemson Offers a Major Non-Conference Test Clemson is no stranger to March, having made an Elite Eight appearance in 2024 and earning a 5-seed in the most recent NCAA Tournament before a shocking first-round loss to McNeese. Under the leadership of Brad Brownell, now extended through 2031, the Tigers posted an 18-2 conference record last season and finished second in the ACC. This matchup will be a tone-setter for both teams with postseason aspirations. Advertisement The Garden and the Moment It's been nearly a decade since BYU last played at Madison Square Garden. Their return to basketball's most iconic venue isn't just symbolic—it's strategic. The Jimmy V Classic, which raises funds for cancer research, offers national TV exposure, elite competition, and the kind of pressure-packed environment that mimics March. The last time BYU met Clemson? A 49-47 heartbreaker in the 1990 NCAA Tournament. It's time for redemption. Related: BYU loses two-way transfer to Big 12 rival Final Whistle: Circle the date, Cougar fans. December 9 isn't just another game—it's a national showcase, a chance to prove the hype is real. Madison Square Garden will be watching. So should you. Advertisement Related: AJ Dybantsa teases major announcement coming this week Related: AJ Dybantsa shares heartwarming moment with his mom before BYU journey
