What an impressive performance from BYU.

In one of the most eagerly awaited games in the history of the Marriott Center, Coach Kevin Young’s Cougars triumphed over No. 23 Kansas with a commanding score of 91-57 on Tuesday night in Provo.

This victory marks Young’s inaugural win against a ranked team during his tenure at BYU.

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With this victory, the Cougars improved their season record to 18-8 and hold a 9-6 standing in Big 12 play, positioning them in fifth place in the conference.

3 Key Takeaways

BYU came out strong. The Cougars quickly made it clear that it would be their night, leading 8-0 within the first two minutes and extending the margin to 22-7 after just seven minutes.

By halftime, three BYU players were already in double digits for scoring, with the team successfully sinking 10 three-pointers during that stretch.

The early and sustained lead forced Kansas to scramble, resulting in numerous disjointed offensive possessions that the Cougars capitalized on.

Moreover, BYU’s explosive start ignited a fervent atmosphere at the Marriott Center, enhancing the Cougars’ already significant home advantage.

The Cougars showcased elite offensive skills. Just 14 minutes into the game, storied Jayhawks head coach Bill Self had to call a final timeout, clearly out of answers. Kansas struggled to contain the Cougars outside of a brief dry spell in the first half.

BYU shot impressively from beyond the arc, hitting 14 three-pointers at a 38.9% accuracy rate.

The Cougars recorded a commendable 51.5% shooting percentage from the floor, with 24 of their 34 field goals being assisted.

Richie Saunders was the standout performer with 22 points, bolstering his case for inclusion on the All-Big 12 First Team, while Trevin Knell and Mawot Mag contributed 15 and 13 points respectively. Dallin Hall and Egor Demin combined for 17 points and facilitated 13 assists.

The most surprising aspect? Heading into this showdown, KenPom had ranked Kansas as the fifth-best defensive team in the nation, a label that appeared ill-suited against the Cougars.

BYU delivered one of the most significant defeats in Kansas history. The 34-point differential marks the largest loss the Jayhawks have experienced as a ranked team against any unranked opponent and ties their biggest defeat during Bill Self’s remarkable 22-year coach tenure.

The Cougars demonstrated exceptional defensive prowess, limiting Kansas to 36.5% shooting overall and 28.1% from three-point range, while forcing 15 turnovers.

Kansas’s leading scorers, Hunter Dickinson and Zeke Mayo, were virtually neutralized. Mayo tallied only six points on 2-of-9 shooting, and the Jayhawks were a staggering -39 with Dickinson on the court.

Overall, this was arguably BYU’s finest performance of the season, showcasing their improvement as they head into March.

“I think BYU could have beaten anyone tonight,” Coach Self remarked to reporters after the game. “They were outstanding, and we didn’t do anything to diminish their performance … we couldn’t stop them or gain any momentum.”