Instant Takeaways From BYU’s First Conference Win Over Arizona State
Dec 31, 2024, 4:42 PM | Updated: Jan 2, 2025, 2:26 pm
PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team started Big 12 play with a resounding win over Arizona State. The Cougars led by as many as 22 points en route to a 76-56 victory.
Here are my takeaways from a dominant defensive performance.
Richie Saunders was the best player on the floor
Amidst all the chaos when Mark Pope left for Kentucky, the question that arose was which players would follow him to Lexington.
One player who took a visit was Richie Saunders.
Ultimately, he returned to Provo and has become one of the most valuable players on the roster.
No Christmas break rust from Richie Saunders.
He’s been the best player on the floor to start this game. #BYU #BYUhoops
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) December 31, 2024
It was 11 days between games for BYU. By the way, you wouldn’t have known that with the way Saunders played.
He finished with a new career-high 30 points on 11 for 18 shooting. He made 6 of his 11 attempts from the three-point line.
Saunders is playing at an all-conference level, which is a problem for the rest of the Big 12.
Egor Demin returns from injury
The star freshman returned from an injury he suffered against Providence. It was a rocky return from Demin who missed the last three games.
Demin struggled from the three-point line. He missed all of his five attempts.
However, his impact will never be fully measured in points. His ability to create shots for others is one of his many elite skills.
LIGHT WORK @whoisegor3
📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/bRqTt3dTbP
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) December 31, 2024
He led the Cougars in assists with seven while adding four rebounds. BYU out-rebounded Arizona State by 10.
One issue that could be attributed to the long delay was turnovers. Demin committed five turnovers.
It’s a good problem for Kevin Young to solve while winning conference games.
BYU’s perimeter defense was outstanding
Arizona State ranks in the top 100 of three-point makes per game. They aren’t an elite three-point shooting team, but they aren’t nearly as bad as what they displayed against BYU.
The Sun Devils only made 6 of 29 attempts from the three-point line.
No team in the conference will have success on the road with 21 percent shooting from deep.
Halftime: BYU 31, Arizona State 26.
ASU outscored BYU 16-5 in the final 6:46.
BYU had zero points in the last 2:10 of action.
Richie Saunders leads all scorers with 15.
BYU's perimeter defense was a highlight holding ASU to 2-15 from three in the first hal.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 31, 2024
BYU showed an impressive ability to turn over Arizona State as well. The Sun Devils coughed it up 13 times, with 10 of those turnovers coming in the second half.
“This was our worst offensive game of the season,” said Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley. “By far.”
The Cougars passed their first conference test, but it gets significantly more difficult with the next opponent being the Houston Cougars.
You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter @baiamontematt here.
Take us with you wherever you go.
