KANSAS CITY, Mo. — BYU coach Kevin Young still vividly remembers the moment when Sam Hinkie, the then-general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, introduced him to a new concept that was taking over the NBA: the analytical revolution. Hinkie showed Young what looked like a heat map focusing on 3-pointers, emphasizing its importance and challenging Young to adapt to this new approach.
Reflecting on that experience, Young recalls asking, “That’s great. How do we actually get those 3s?” To which Hinkie succinctly replied, “That’s your job.” These early lessons in analytics served Young well as he transitioned to his position with the Phoenix Suns, and eventually to his current role as head coach at BYU, where he embraced this strategy fully. On Thursday, during his debut at the Big 12 Tournament, Young had the best view as his No. 17 BYU Cougars excelled, making 18 of 36 3-pointers. This performance set a tournament record and led to a hard-fought 96-92 win over No. 12 Iowa State.
After the game, Young remarked to his team that achieving such a performance required more than just showing up, stating, “It’s not even the shot-making; it’s how those 3s are generated.” He emphasized their commitment to spacing the floor and finding the best shot opportunities rather than just good ones.
The fourth-seeded Cougars, with an impressive record of 24-8, have shown consistency and excellence, boasting a nine-game winning streak. This includes a recent double-overtime victory against Iowa State, setting the stage for their current success and placing them two wins away from clinching a conference title, their first since joining the Big 12.
Against Iowa State, Richie Saunders led the team, contributing 23 points and making a critical 3-pointer in the final minute to secure a lead. Eight different players scored 3-pointers, with Trevin Knell perfect in his four attempts and Mihailo Boskovic adding three more.
“It’s about choosing the right shots,” explained Saunders. “Shooting 50% from 3 is impressive, but it’s because we’re selecting open shots instead of rushed ones.” His remarks highlight this strategy as a core element of BYU’s success, demonstrated by their 17 3-pointers against Arizona State just weeks ago.
Iowa State, on the other hand, faced tough circumstances as they missed key defensive players, Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey, both sidelined due to injuries. Despite their absence, coach T.J. Otzelberger remained hopeful about their recovery and return.
Stepping up for Iowa State was Curtis Jones, who provided a standout performance with 31 points, including seven 3-pointers. “He was on fire,” Trey Stewart of BYU acknowledged, admiring the challenge that Jones posed.
The game on Thursday set new records, not only for BYU’s individual performance but also for the combined 3-pointers made by both teams, totaling 31 and surpassing the previous record of 27.
“It was an exhilarating matchup with both teams showcasing their skills and competitive spirit,” remarked Otzelberger. “It was a spirited exchange with both sides making major plays.” The competition and sportsmanship from both teams highlighted the excitement and skills on display throughout the tournament.
