Three Things BYU Needs to do in the Portal (To Win the National Championship)
With the commitment of Robert Wright III, BYU will have two five star players on their roster next year, which is two more five star players then BYU has ever had. The only problem is that other teams seem to be stockpiling talent as well. Assuming Richie Saunders returns, the hard part is over. BYU’s top 3 will rival any other team’s top 3 and will have no trouble putting up points and improving over the defensive output of the 24-25 team. The Cougars don’t need to break the bank, but they need three more things before they finish shopping in the portal. April 22nd is the last day for players to enter the portal.
A big that can handle or shoot. BYU loves running the pick and roll and Keita is a fantastic rim runner off of the pick. The problem comes when BYU is trapped off of the ball screen. They can’t throw it back to Keita 35 feet from the hoop, unless he makes a big jump in his ballhandling. They need a big that can pick-and-pop and even make decisions against pressuring defenses away from the hoop.
Almost no post players have commented publicly about interest from BYU. It’s possible the Cougars are in talks with a foreign player. It’s unlikely BYU will go this direction, but former local star Matthew Van Komen of Pleasant Grove High School is 9th best Center available and former Utah Ute Lawson Lovering is the 11th best Center available.
3 and D guy taller than 6-5. We’re looking for a mix of Trevin Knell with Mawot Mag. If we’re chasing the National Championship we can’t be deciding if it’s time for defense or offense, we need a guy that brings both. Positional height is the buzz word for the summer and BYU needs it as evidenced in the Houston and Alabama game.
Multiple media outlets are reporting that BYU is the leading candidate for 6’6” Darrion Williams. Williams is the third best player available in the portal and is still considering the NBA. He was First Team All Big 12, last year as a member of Texas Tech. When the Red Raiders beat the Cougars in Provo he had 18 points, 7 rebounds and hit 2 threes.
A guard that can come off the bench and defend and make good decisions.
BYU doesn’t have a clear backup point guard right now, but they probably don’t need one. A.J. is probably the backup point guard and end of game point guard, so this position could be more of a wing player than a point.
BYU hosted a visit over the weekend for Tanner Toolson. Toolson was Second Team All Wac for UVU, shooting 35% from three. Toolson started his career at BYU and his father and cousin both played here. He is visiting Iowa, Gonzaga and Memphis as well.
BYU will host a visit today and tomorrow for Martin Somerville. The 6’3” Somerville played at Umass Lowell last season and shot 40% from three and had an effective shooting percentage of 70% in catch and shoot situations.