How BYU Executed Dallin Hall’s Game-Winner Against Missouri State

PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball coach Mark Pope has not been shy about this year’s team being new. As a result, there will be growing pains for this group as they try to reinvent themselves.

With a “new and young” roster, figuring out who to go to on a game-winning play can be difficult.

DALLIN HALL pic.twitter.com/zoc0LQTzNX

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 17, 2022

Pope has had a player emerge with a game-winning shot in both of BYU’s home games this season. On opening night, Spencer Johnson knocked down a three to defeat upset-minded Idaho State.

Fast forward to Wednesday, freshman Dallin Hall shined when the lights were brightest, knocking down a bucket with 1.6 seconds remaining. Hall’s shot off the glass improved BYU’s record to 2-1 on the season.

Before Hall took off and scored the game-winner, BYU was in the huddle discussing their options during a timeout.

Play design for the Dallin Hall game-winner

What went into that discussion to give Hall the green light?

Mark Pope on the play design for Dallin Hall’s game-winner.#BYU #BYUhoops pic.twitter.com/5S5Aj3evfn

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 17, 2022

“You’re always wondering what you’re going to see if you’re going to see really intense pressure where they’re trying to really stop you up in the backcourt and risk a foul. [Missouri State] picked up full [court], but they were a little bit soft,” said BYU coach Mark Pope.

Then Pope thanked a Latter-day Saint NFL assistant coach for some inspiration.

“I actually thought that Dallin would be able to turn the corner. I thought we might run a slant pattern for him, courtesy of the great (Miami Dolphins QB coach) Darrell Bevell. He’s been working with me on my full-court, late-game passing routes. But [Missouri State] kind of backed off, so Dallin ended up just being one-on-one, and he just got to use his shoulders.”

The second option was another young BYU player

If Hall wasn’t going to be the guy putting up the shot, Pope had another young guy ready to take center stage for that moment.

“We had Atiki in the dunker’s spot,” said Pope. “I thought there was a chance we were going to see him make a play in the air. It just worked out the way that it worked out.”

When Dallin Hall signed with BYU, he was called a “hooper” by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. He showed off why he got that “hooper” tag by coming up clutch when BYU needed him the most.

“It’s a huge play by a young player. So I’m super proud of him,” said Pope.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

Follow @Mitch_Harper