BYU Season Preview

2022-23 Record: 19-15, 7-9 WCC (5th)

Coach: Mark Pope, Fifth Season

Departures: Rudi Williams, G (Graduation)

Gideon George, F (Graduation)

Tanner Toolson, W (Transfer)

Arrivals: Dawson Baker, G (Transfer from UC Irvine)

Aly Khalifa, C (Transfer from Charlotte)

Projected Starting Lineup

PG: Dallin Hall

SG: Jaxson Robinson

SF: Spencer Johnson

PF: Fousseyni Traore

C: Aly Khalifa

Roster Breakdown

The Cougars are coming into the conference from the WCC, and they'll have to raise their game to keep their high level of success with their move to the Big 12. The good news for Mark Pope is he has a lot of returning production to help the transition to the new conference. While two of their top four scorers depart, the Cougars do bring back seven of their top nine scorers. Leading the returners is big man Fousseyni Traore, who led the team in scoring last season. He put up 12.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks, and his rebounding and block numbers were actually down from his freshman year, when he put up 8.5 and 1.3 respectively. He's maybe undersized for his role as a traditional back to the basketball big at 6'6". but makes up for it with a 7'2" wingspan and his tenacious attitude in the paint, going after every single loose ball and missed shot. Also returning in the front court are Noah Waterman and Atiky Ali Atiky (try saying that name 5 times fast). BYU is Waterman's third program, starting at Niagara before going to Detroit Mercy for two seasons, and then joining the Cougars. He's 6'11", but he isn't a big presence in the paint, instead boasting a really strong jumper. He only put up 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds last season, but Waterman has shown he's capable of a lot more. For instance, he scored double digits in his first year at Detroit, putting up 11.9 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting a blistering 52.8% from three. He only made 32.3% last year from beyond the arc, but he is definitely capable of more. Ali Atiky is another traditional paint roaming big man, although one with a bit more stature at 6'9". He put up 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.5 points off the bench last year. He's a really good reserve big that can provide relief to Traore when he needs a breather. The starters in the backcourt and on the wing also return. Dallin Hall impressed as a freshman last season. He was an unheralded recruit, but he started 21 of 34 games for the Cougars, and had a good year, putting up 7.3 points and 3.2 assists, plus 1.9 rebounds. He's got good size for a point guard at 6'4", although he isn't the best athlete, which limits his defensive upside. Still, he's a reliable ball handler who is always looking to get his teammates involved, which is music to the ears of Jaxson Robinson and Spencer Johnson, his fellow returning players. Johnson is one of the oldest players on the roster, and he's back after putting up 11.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.6 steals. Robinson, meanwhile, was a top 100 prospect out of high school who committed to Texas A&M, played one year there before hopping on the Muss Bus at Arkansas, where he also stayed for one season before heading to Provo. He struggled to find playing time in the SEC, but started 30 games and played 28.1 minutes for the Cougars last year, averaging 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. While their careers thus far have been different, Johnson and Robinson both provide one key aspect: shooting. Johnson made 46.1% of his threes last season and 42.2% on his career at BYU, while Robinson made 34.3%. While he doesn't have the same efficiency, Robinson has deep range and lots of confidence, plus is probably a slightly better athlete and defender on the wing. Hall also made 36.7% of his shots from deep, so floor spacing won't be an issue for BYU. Another rising sophomore, Richie Saunders will join in the wing rotation. He put up 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds across 16 minutes a game, and made 33.3% of his threes. He'll be looking to take a step forward in all aspects of his game this season, as will fellow backup Trey Stewart. The rising junior guard has struggled to find the court across his first two seasons, but could be Hall's primary backup this season. Trevin Knell missed last season with an injury, but started 18 games as a junior the year prior, and depending on how quickly he rehabs, could also be a factor. There are also three new names for Mark Pope to call on. Aly Khalifa joins after two years at Charlotte, and the big man could earn a starting role immediately. He put up 11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.6 blocks. As you might be able to tell from his assist numbers, he's got some real ball skills. He's comfortable on the perimeter but is a truly stellar passer inside, often finding cutters out of post up situations. He can also space the floor, making 38.1% of his threes last season. He's also a solid defender of the post and is a better shot blocker than his numbers indicate. Dawson Baker joins the mix after three years at UC Irvine, where he started 71 games. He averaged double digit points every season he with with the Anteaters, culminating in 15.3 last year an earning All-Big West honors. He can shoot it from deep or attack the rim, but I think his athleticism will be challenged defensively. Finally, Marcus Adams has also popped up in Provo, and he's had a strange summer. A member of the 2023 class, Adams looked set to go to Kansas, arriving on campus and practicing with the team over the summer. However, he announced he was transferring to Gonzaga shortly after. He may or may not have made it to campus in Spokane before once again moving, this time landing at BYU. The prevailing theory seems to be that Adams wants to be a one and done type talent who's the star of a team, and realized the Jayhawks and Bulldogs had guys ahead of him, so he left. It's somewhat unclear whether he's even eligible for this season, but if he is, Adams brings a level of dynamic athleticism and upside that most of the roster lacks. He can also shoot it from deep, but like I said, it's unclear if he will be able to play this season, and what his role will be if he does. 

My Thoughts

BYU is a tough team to peg for me as they move to the Big 12. They have a strong group of returning players with experience playing together in this system, and I like their incoming transfer as well. However, this team with most of these returning players was also under .500 in WCC play and now has rto step up into the toughest basketball conference in the country. I think the group they have is intriguing. It's an experienced group, Adams would be the only freshman here and Hall and Saunders are the only sophomores. They should have size and play hard and with physicality. They also should have good floor spacing around Traore on the inside. Johnson and Robinson are really great shooters, and Khalifa should space it as well. I'm a big fan of Jaxson Robinson and I like the way Dallin Hall plays as well, and Traore and Khalifa is a strong front court. I just worry about the jump in competition they'll have to face. Like I said, they went 7-9 in the WCC. They suffered losses to South Dakota, Utah Valley, and Pepperdine. It's not exactly encouraging for a team going to play Kansas, Baylor, and Texas. This isn't a team full of high level athletes or elite, highly skilled players. To win in the Big 12, they're going to need to be tough and gritty defensively, and do just enough offensively in order to win games. I'm not 100% convinced they'll be able to do that. I worry about how strong the defense will be with guys like Hall and Johnson who I think might get exploited against some of the teams they are going to have to play. I think they'll be solid enough, but lack the high end talent to get across the line against some of the best teams they'll have to play. I could see them hanging around for 30 minutes before fading at the end of games. I unfortunately see this as a bottom dweller in their new conference, at least initially.