Arizona fans have very long memories when it comes to opponents that beat the Wildcats, particularly ones that do so in the NCAA Tournament or at McKale Center. BYU falls into the latter category, winning in Tucson last February on a controversial foul call in the final seconds.
It’s the same coach as last year, in Kevin Young, and there are a few returning players, but the Cougars team that Arizona will face on Monday night is very different. And not just because of the presence of presumptive No. 1 draft pick, 6-foot-9 freshman forward AJ Dybantsa.
Following a home win over rival Utah on Saturday, No. 13 BYU is 17-2 overall, 5-1 in Big 12 play.
To better understand this BYU team, we reached out to Robby McCombs from SB Nation sister site Vanquish the Foe. Below are his valiant answers to our cowardly questions:
AZ Desert Swarm: BYU is off to its best start since the Jimmer Fredette days. What in general has made this team so much better than the pretty good one from last season?
Robby McCombs: “Talent and improved defense in non-conference play. AJ Dybantsa, Rob Wright and Richie Saunders may be the best offensive trio in the country. And Keba Keita as a rim protector and lob threat is pretty good fourth-best player. BYU played a good non-conference schedule, and the defense was visibly improved. AJ isn’t perfect, but he defends on that end and can be really active with his 7-foot-1 wingspan against smaller guards. Kevin Young is still tweaking with player 5 through 7 to support AJ, but the top end talent is undeniable and the defense as a whole has been better, although showing some regression the last few games.”
Dybansta reportedly got a lot of money to play one season for the Cougars, and so far it looks like it was money well spent. For those who may not know about him, if that’s possible, how would you describe his game and style of play? And is there any weaknesses to his game or flaws that Arizona might try to expose?
“He has the body and athleticism at 6-foot-9, but his unselfishness and footwork are two things that stick out. Lots of high-end scorers can have blinders on sometimes, but AJ is so efficient and sometimes makes the extra pass too often. He shoots 61% on twos and 35% from threes. His footwork is unbelievable and mirrors some of the old-schools bigs you’ll see with how he pivots and drop steps. And just get ready, Arizona fans. He draws a lot of fouls. You’ll call him a foul merchant. But he’s our foul merchant.”
It feels weird to call it an upgrade at point guard when his predecessor was a lottery pick, but getting Robert Wright from Baylor has been just that. Where has he been most effective for BYU?
“Rob has been the perfect safety valve for BYU when AJ is bottled up or is struggling (which isn’t often). It’s cliché, but he really can get to the rim at will since he almost always has single-coverage due to attention AJ – and to a lesser extent, Richie – draw. He keeps the ball flowing up the floor in transition and has hit some big shots for BYU this year. His biggest improvement has been three-point shooing. He shot sub 30% from three in Big 12 play at Baylor last season, and this year 45% from three, including 44% in Big 12 play.”
Richie Saunders attained OVS (Official Villain Status) with Arizona fans after he drew a foul late in Tucson last February and hit the game-winning foul shots. How has he been able to thrive on this retooled team?
“Richie is the emotional leader on this BYU team. He still plays like a glue guy with his effort and creates second chance points with his hustle. He’s been more aggressive going to the rim since he is seeing fewer double teams. He’s shooting 39% from three, but is shooting 36% in Big 12 play and hasn’t been consistent game-to-game. This offense is top 3 in the country when Richie is hitting threes. He absolutely can do that, and if he does then BYU has a good chance to win this game.”
What’s the one thing the Cougars cannot do if they want to win this game?
“Shoot poorly from three. BYU can win without the three ball, but they’ll need to hit shots this game. I don’t mean that in that in a ‘well this team is an underdog so they better get hot from three’ type of way. BYU needs to hit some shots to spread out Arizona’s defense. I think Arizona’s size and physicality can give AJ problems if they can just crowd the paint. AJ’s ‘spot’ is right at that Big 12 logo when he can rise up over a defender or use that elite footwork to draw fouls or get angles to the basket. If Richie and someone else isn’t hitting shots, Arizona could decrease the effectiveness of that. So while the points from threes are obviously important, I am looking at this from a spacing angle to open up 1-on-1 matchups and better looks at the rim for AJ and Rob.”
Prediction time. Does BYU hand Arizona its first loss of 2025-26 or do the Wildcats match the best start in school history at 21-0? Give us a score pick.
“Arizona does things that give BYU trouble. First, they are obviously just really good. Duh. But they have the personnel to make the paint crowded and force AJ into tough looks. BYU is #1 in Big 12 play in offensive rebound percentage, and Arizona has the bigs to limit BYU’s second chance points.
”I think Brayden Burries is a big factor this game. BYU struggled the last two weeks versus Utah’s guard duo and Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson. Kevin Young has said the toughest teams to defend are ones with dynamic guards. He feels he can better scheme against teams that try to post you up in the paint with their bigs. If BYU can limit Burries’ efficiency and outside shooting, then I think BYU can scheme a defense to slow down Arizona just enough outscore the Wildcats.
“The crowd will be electric. And Arizona has to lose at some point, right? However, I think Arizona can slow down BYU just enough and their bigs plus Burries give BYU enough trouble to win a close game. Prediction: Arizona 84, BYU 82.”