Before beginning one of the hardest rebuilds of his career on the fly, Kevin Young sat down his two key stakeholders with an opportunity — or at least that’s how he presented it.
With potential No. 1 NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa and guard Rob Wright III in his office, BYU’s coach outlined how the next month could alter their college basketball legacy.
Richie Saunders, the Cougars’ All-American guard, was out. A buckle of a knee wiped away a year’s worth of Final Four dreams. That is, Young argued, unless Dybantsa and Wright could single-handedly lift BYU on a March Madness run — the type of NCAA Tournament story they talk about with some of the greats.
“I think those are two guys, in a lot of ways, who can cement their college legacy with how they handle this over the next few weeks,” Young said. “What kind of impact can they have? Can they elevate a team, you know? That’s motivating in itself.”
So that is how Young started the final stretch of BYU’s season of disappointment. What began as a Final Four hopeful has slowly been chipped away. First it was guard Nate Pickens with season-ending surgery. Then key wing Dawson Baker hobbled off the court in Orlando and never returned.
But this latest blow last Saturday could have been the knockout punch. One play into the game, Saunders was reeling in pain clutching his knee. It didn’t take long to know he tore his ACL, ending a brilliant college career. Two weeks ago he was scoring 33 points at Allen Fieldhouse, averaging 18 a game, and now he’s talking about surgery appointments.
It made the last few days feel like BYU was mourning the loss of its most anticipated season. Young even had opposing coaches reach out to offer their words of encouragement. That’s how much Saunders — who seemingly by force of will made himself into an NBA prospect — meant to this group.
“He has been the flag bearer of just the Kevin Young era, so to speak,” Young said. “Thing I love about him is just how much of a self-made guy he is. He’s got himself to the point because of sheer work. I’ll forever be grateful for Richie. He’s a BYU legend, and will forever and always will be.”
And now BYU only has six regular-season games left — starting with No. 4 Arizona — to remake itself into the contender it was supposed to be.
For Young, it hinges on Dybantsa and Wright.
“Rob and AJ, everybody quite frankly, is going to have a lot of things on their plate. And I know those two in particular are built for this type of thing” Young said.
It’s hard to imagine how much more those two could do, though. Dybantsa is averaging nearly 25 points per game — leading the nation — and Wright adds almost 19. Both are playing over 33 minutes a night. But if Dybantsa really is the top pick in the draft, Young believes he can take on even more.
Wright, too, will have to look to score instead of dishing it to Saunders.
“We’re going to need him to be a play finisher a lot, in conjunction with the play maker,” Young said. “I think the way [Wright’s] shooting the three-ball has been extremely impressive. It allows AJ to play on the ball a little bit more, and gives us another guy who can space the floor.”
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as BYU hosts Utah, NCAA basketball in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
But there is no doubt somebody else is going to need to chip in.
Young shied away from using his bench most of the year — mostly because it’s been a minefield of inconsistency.
Yet, BYU’s season likely rides on one of Tyler Mrus, Aleksej Kostic or Mihailo Boskovic playing well.
“For some guys that it hasn’t gone their way, well, guess what? You want more opportunity, you just got it,” Young said. “I was going really heavy on not using the bench a ton, and now we don’t have a choice.”
Even a player like Kennard Davis — who was shooting under 25% from three at one point in the Big 12 — will be playing heavy minutes. If the three isn’t falling, he’ll test his ability to drive. BYU needs points in whatever way possible.
“I’ve probably done him a disservice by trying to make him a strictly a catch-and-shoot guy when he has a lot more to offer,” Young said.
Before the team left for Tucson on Tuesday, Young talked to his group about his time as an NBA G League coach. His best players were called up the day of the game. Guys were traded away unexpectedly.
He made a career off rebuilding on the fly.
Now he just has to do it in the most high stakes moment.
“I don’t know, man. I think I do better in situations like this, back-against-the-wall type of mentality,” Young said. “I’ve kind of operated that way my whole life. I’m as energized as I’ve ever been as a coach.”
Then he finished, “I know a lot of people are writing us off. I’m relishing in that.”