BYU basketball's first foray deep within Big 12 action was marked by a staggering 86-55 defeat against the No. 14 ranked Houston Cougars on January 4, 2025, at the Fertitta Center. This loss not only signaled BYU's second matchup against conference rivals but also marked the largest loss margin since they faced Gonzaga three years ago, raising questions about the team’s readiness for the rigors of the new conference.
The game commenced with what seemed to be promise for BYU, as Keba Keita's layup tied the game at 4-4 within the first few minutes. But from there, it was all Houston as they unleashed their touted defense. Houston entered the matchup with the top-ranked defense nationally, and it showed. They trapped and pressured BYU's ball handlers relentlessly, leading the Cougars to accrue 15 turnovers throughout the contest. Kevin Young, BYU’s head coach, noted, “We fell INTO their traps, both literally and figuratively.” This performance highlighted how effectively Houston executed their defensive game plan against BYU's often erratic offensive moves.
BYU's offensive struggles became apparent early on; after starting strong, they quickly fell prey to Houston's defensive schemes. At halftime, BYU found itself trailing 39-22, marking their largest deficit at the break this season. Houston was able to disrupt BYU’s tempo effectively. The Cougars' defense generated 24 points off turnovers, allowing Houston’s offense ample opportunities to grow their lead.
The rebounding battle was another point of contention, with BYU measuring up poorly against Houston’s aggressiveness. Interestingly, BYU, who had been the top rebounding team coming known to the game, was outmatched on the boards, finishing with just 24 rebounds to Houston’s 37. Coach Young’s lineup adjustments, including featuring both Keba Keita and Fousseyni Traore concurrently, ironically did little to shift BYU’s fortunes.
While Trevin Knell emerged as BYU's lone bright spot with 12 points, efforts from younger players like Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings were met with disappointment. Demin, noted for his potential, only managed 3 points and was plagued by late-game struggles, reflecting possibly the intensity of the moment overtuning the team's younger members. "Demin's passing ability is clearly elite, and he handled the Houston blitz with relative ease," highlighted insights from the game analysis, but they underscored the need for these young talents to find their rhythm quickly.
Houston, on the other hand, sharpened their three-point shooting skills, completing 47 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc, including 16 three-pointers on the night. Emanuel Sharp led Houston with 18 points, highlighting the balanced offensive performance from Kelvin Sampson’s squad. Sharp's contributions came after he nursed through discomfort from injury, showcasing the depth of the Houston lineup.
Despite BYU's defensive schemes, the Cougars were often left open for shots. The absence of effective perimeter defense allowed Houston to capitalize, reflecting potential weaknesses BYU will need to address as they continue through the season. "Houston's relentless physicality had BYU shell-shocked," remarked analysts following the game.
Looking forward, there’s pressing need for BYU to regroup as they prepare to host Texas Tech. The Cougars will need to tighten their offensive possessions, limit turnovers, and shore up rebounding efforts—areas where they faltered significantly against Houston. With their record now sitting at 1-1 within conference play and 10-3 overall, the path to securing their place for the NCAA Tournament becomes increasingly narrow if performances like these are replicated.
This loss serves as not merely another statistic but as a harsh lesson on resilience, urging BYU’s players and coaching staff to conjure their competitive spirit if they intend to remain relevant within the Big 12 Conference.