Latest news with #KebaKeita
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU Basketball moves up in ESPN's early top 25 preseason poll
The BYU basketball program comes into next season as one of the "top dogs" in the Big 12. After a Sweet 16 appearance in Kevin Young's first year, the Cougars weren't happy with just being in the NCAA tournament. The loss to Alabama set many things in motion for what's about to happen in Provo. The nation's best recruit AJ Dybansta will be the cornerstone piece for BYU, along with former five-star Baylor transfer Rob Wright III, next-level shooter Kennard Davis Jr., and returning starters Richie Saunders and Keba Keita. The projected starting lineup for the Cougars is possibly the top in the country. Many outlets have agreed, ranking BYU at a top ten team in early polls. Advertisement ESPN's insider Jeff Borzello updated his early preseason Top 25 with BYU cracking the top five. "All eyes will be on Provo, Utah, next season, as No. 1 recruit A.J. Dybantsa arrives in college to suit up for the Cougars," Borzello wrote. "How has Kevin Young built around Dybantsa? Teaming him up with high-level scorer Richie Saunders on the wing was a great start, and landing Robert Wright III at point guard was a boost. That trio should be one of the country's most explosive on the offensive end." Young has set a new standard after coming over from the Phoenix Suns. BYU has been flipped into a true NBA-ready program with big expectations. Better recruiting efforts, keeping key talents, and developing a solid approach has been the difference. But the national spotlight burns bright with many seeing the Cougars as the team to beat in the Big 12. Related: BYU Basketball goes viral after conference announces all-academic honors There was a lot Young gave up in Phoenix. He was the highest-paid assistant in the NBA, but still kept a good relationship with players in the league. New BYU athletic director Brian Santiago will try to keep Young at BYU, even if the NBA comes calling. Advertisement Related: Where ESPN ranked BYU's offseason against Big 12 rivals 'I'm hoping that Kevin Young sees everything that's happening here, and for all of these student athletes that we've brought to BYU, that this is the right place for him and his family,' Santiago said. 'So that we can move forward with confidence, and everybody knows we're ready to go.' Related: New BYU AD reveals top priority for next year and beyond Young comes as the next wave in the second-degree from Gregg Popovich's coaching tree. He was an assistant to Brett Brown with the Philadelphia 76ers, who spent a decade with Pop in San Antonio. Brown returned for his second stint with the Spurs in 2022.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU Basketball players are turning heads for unexpected choice
While most elite basketball programs gear up for summer transfers and preseason tournaments, BYU is watching some of its top talent pack bags for something far different—and far more personal. In a time when NIL deals and NBA dreams dominate headlines, BYU players are voluntarily putting basketball on hold to serve missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a year where BYU is projected as a top-10 contender and early NCAA Tournament buzz surrounds the team, players like Keba Keita and Khadim Mboup are stepping away. The duo is returning to Africa—not for a tournament, but to serve and inspire. They'll work with the Africa Elite Basketball Camps in Senegal and Mali, using hoops as a tool for education and hope. Advertisement 'Even the schoolteachers and staff look at these young men and how they have really grown up with their opportunities,' said Carlos Iglesias, a Utah businessman who supports the mission-driven camps. Keita and Mboup, both originally from West Africa, understand the transformative power of opportunity. Through the Mali Wellness Foundation, they're mentoring young athletes, many of whom dream of following in their footsteps to the U.S. for education and sports. For Keita, who averaged 4.4 rebounds per game last season as a key rotation player, this isn't about stats—it's about impact. The missions blend service with sport. In communities where school isn't mandatory, a basketball court becomes a classroom. 'We have to do something to keep these kids in school—so why not sports?' Iglesias explained. This isn't just humanitarian work. It's full-circle legacy-building from players who remember where they came from. Related: BYU to face ACC opponent at Jimmy V Classic In a sport where skipping college for the draft is normal, BYU's players are skipping prime exposure to serve others. For Cougar fans, it's more than admirable—it's part of what makes this program different. Related: AJ Dybantsa hands out ice cream at Provo McDonald's and BYU fans love it Related: BYU Basketball turns heads with new era in Provo
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
New York Times
27-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Men's March Madness 2025: What to watch for on Day 5
The road to the Final 4 is on the horizon. Sixteen teams have navigated past two opponents and are now just three wins away from their ultimate goal. But before entertaining championship thoughts, the Sweet 16 is calling. Teams only have one shot, one game, one chance to advance. But which teams will continue their journey and which will fall just short? The Athletic has you covered with all the analysis you need. Here's what to expect in Thursday's quartet of games. 7:09 p.m. ET on CBS College basketball fans are in for a treat in the first game of the Sweet 16, as two of the 10 best offenses in the country square off. Keep an eye on Keba Keita of the Cougars. He is their only reliable center, so keeping him out of foul trouble will be key. And because Alabama puts a lot of pressure on the rim, his backline defense will be crucial. Advertisement Keita is also the third shortest center left in the field, and the Tide have four players who are at least 6-foot-10, players they send in waves. Alabama ranks second in height at power forward and fifth at center among Sweet 16 teams. BYU has an advantage at the other end, though. While Alabama's defense is ranked in the top 30, according to KenPom, the Tide have allowed at least 80 points in seven of their last 10 games, including at least 90 points in four. Both teams will score points, but the Tide do most of their damage in the paint, ranking third in the country in 2-point percentage. Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Crucial stops in the last four minutes might decide this thriller of a matchup. 7:39 p.m. ET on TBS Both teams had to overcome deficits to punch their tickets to the Sweet 16, with Maryland pulling it off at the buzzer. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. To advance to the Elite Eight and beyond, most things have to go right. Florida must find a way to contain the highly productive frontcourt of Derik Queen and Julian Reese. The Gators' frontcourt was outscored 51-18 by UConn, so it will be important to wall up and play physical without fouling. Maryland has very little depth, while Florida can go nine deep. How this game is officiated could tell the tale. Maryland's 'Crab Five' is one of the best lineups in the country, but if one of them has to sit with foul trouble, there aren't a lot of options. The Terrapins' bench scored two points in the win over Colorado State and 13 in a blowout victory over Grand Canyon. Florida has three guards capable of scoring 20-plus points in any game, so it would be wise for them to be in attack mode from the tip-off. If they can get a Maryland starter in foul trouble, I like their chances even more. Advertisement Statistically, these teams are about even — both rank in the top 22 in offense and defense. Will Florida's guards be too much to handle or will Maryland's bigs continue to dominate? 9:39 p.m. ET on CBS Duke defeated Arizona 69-55 in November, and Cooper Flagg dominated with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. The Wildcats have a much different team now — the squad that only managed 55 points vs. the Blue Devils ended up leading the Big 12 in scoring — and will look to get revenge on Thursday. Arizona's Caleb Love, a former North Carolina Tar Heel, will be facing Duke for the 10th time and has a 5-4 record while averaging 15.8 points in those meetings. However, in his previous four games with Tyrese Proctor as his main defender, he struggled, putting up 10.5 points on 28 percent shooting. Love will need to be excellent or outplay Proctor to beat the Blue Devils. For the Wildcats to win, they will need to control the offensive glass — they are 16th in the country in offensive rebounding. In their first matchup, they only grabbed six. Their role players also need to step up. In November, Jaden Bradley and KJ Lewis combined for 30 points, while Trey Townsend scored four and Tobe Awaka was held scoreless. Ideally, Arizona will try to drive on Duke's guards and get paint touches, but the Blue Devils are fifth in the country in defensive 2-point percentage, plus they are the tallest team in basketball. The Wildcats also don't shoot the 3 at an elite level, so early shot-making will be the key to opening up the floor. Arizona wants to get into a shootout, but Duke is 31-0 when it allows 71 points or fewer. Arizona is 0-7 when failing to score at least 72 points. 10:09 p.m. ET on CBS Arkansas is one of the tallest and most athletic teams Texas Tech has faced all year, presenting a host of potential challenges. The Red Raiders only have two bigs, so foul trouble is something to keep in mind. Arkansas' road to get here was interesting. The Razorbacks were outplayed by Kansas but won, then benefited from playing a St. John's team that couldn't make shots. Advertisement Fortunately for Arkansas, the Red Raiders haven't shot the ball well either this tournament, though they showed against Drake that they are a balanced offense led by JT Toppin and Darrion Williams. Arkansas is 17th in adjusted defensive efficiency, while Texas Tech is fifth in adjusted offensive efficiency, so something has to give. The Razorbacks are top 150 in defensive turnover percentage, but the Red Raiders have only turned it over 12 times in two tournament games and haven't turned it over 10 times or more since Feb. 18 against TCU. Tech will need to make shots to slow down Arkansas' physical defense. It would also make sense to continue to let Williams and Elijah Hawkins operate in the pick-and-roll with Toppin. There are no Cinderella teams left in the field, but 10-seed Arkansas is hot at the right time and looking to keep rolling. (Andy Hancock/ NCAA Photos / Getty Images)
New York Times
27-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Alabama vs. BYU: How to watch as two top-10 offenses battle for an Elite Eight berth
College basketball fans are in for a treat in the first game of the Sweet 16, as two of the 10 best offenses in the country will square off. Keba Keita — BYU's only reliable center — is the player to watch for the Cougars. Keeping him out of foul trouble will be key, and because Alabama puts a lot of pressure on the rim, his backline defense will be crucial. Dive into March Madness with The Athletic Projecting the bracket | March Madness 2025 | Sweet 16 power rankings Keita is also the third shortest center left in the field, and the Crimson Tide have four players in the rotation who are at least 6-foot-10. Alabama ranks second in the country in height at power forward and fifth at center among Sweet 16 teams. Advertisement BYU can still score points, though. While Alabama's defense is ranked in the top 30 according to KenPom, the Tide have allowed at least 80 points in seven of their last 10 games, including at least 90 points in four. The Cougars (with a 72nd-ranked defensive rating) have only allowed 80-plus points four times in the last 10 games, and one of those contests (against Iowa State on March 4) went to double overtime. Alabama and BYU do a lot of damage in the paint. Alabama ranks third in the country in 2-point percentage (60 percent), while BYU ranks sixth overall (58.4). From deep, BYU has the advantage, making 37.3 percent of shots behind the arc, while Alabama drills only 35 percent of them. Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Crucial stops in the last four minutes might decide this thriller of a matchup. This matchup can also be streamed on the NCAA March Madness Live app and Paramount+. Streaming and Betting/Odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Mark Sears: Nick Cammett / Getty Images)
