As a sophomore Richie Saunders averaged 9.6 points per game. As a junior Saunders averaged 16.5 points per game, was named the Most Improved Player in the conference and made the All-Big 12 First Team. It’s no secret, when the Cougars brought in Collin Chandler, they were hoping for a similar trajectory. Chander, the 2022 Utah High School player of the year, started every 31 games for Kentucky last year and averaged 9.7 points per game. Last night against Nebraska, Chandler had 19 points and 3 steals. Chandler will likely not be the focus of the offense the way Saunders was in 24-25, but he’s shown a more dynamic ability to get to the basket and to get out in transition for easy looks. An average of 16-19 points per game seems well within Chandler’s reach.
BYU centers Keita, Ahmed and Mboup combined to hit two three pointers last year. In 24-25, Traore hit one three. Last night, new BYU Center Jaxon Kohler hit two threes in his first game. Kohler hit 58 threes last year for Michigan State. Having a Center that can set a screen and be a threat away from the basket is an option Kevin Young hasn’t had. Forcing the opponent’s big men away from the basket should allow more driving opportunities which will lead to a higher percentage shooting around the basket and more drive and kick threes for the other wings.
Brooks Bahr got some minutes last night as the backup point guard. There probably won’t be a lot of those minutes as the season goes on. He did play alongside Rob Wright and was a defensive menace. Deflections are not an official stat that the NCAA keeps track of. So, unofficially, Bahr had a deflection three straight possessions late in the first half. In the second half, he came in right before the first media time out at 16:00 minutes and had two deflections on the same play. It will be hard for Bahr to get minutes, but if he can own this role as the defense stopper, a la Mawot Mag, he will be critical to BYU’s success this year.
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