Every starter for No. 23 BYU scored in double figures in each of the first two games, but coach Kevin Young wants to see that balanced production extend to his bench when the Cougars host Queens on Tuesday in Provo, Utah.
In a 108-67 home win over Omaha on Friday, BYU reserves combined for 25 points as 11 players logged double-digit minutes.
“That’s important for the chemistry of the group,” Young said. “For the team spirit and team chemistry.”
The Cougars (2-0) shot 45.7% from 3-point range (16 of 35) and dominated in transition, holding a 31-0 advantage in fast-break points. That was a significant improvement from BYU’s 14-8 edge against Ohio State in a 94-83 season-opening victory on Nov. 2.
“We played too slow against Ohio State,” Young said. “I don’t know if I’d ever seen that (31-0 advantage) before. It’s pretty remarkable … We also had 15 offensive rebounds, which makes it hard for opponents to run.”
Eight different players connected on a 3-pointer against Omaha, led by Tyler Betsey, who made 6 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc. Robert Wright III leads BYU in scoring at 27 points per game.
While the Cougars were able to play with pace, Young said it was due to their defensive effort. BYU forced 12 Omaha turnovers.
“Our ability to score off our defense … That is what allowed us to get out and go,” Young said.
Meanwhile, Queens will wrap up its three-game road trip looking to bounce back from a 118-68 loss to Oklahoma State on Friday. The Royals (2-1) scored just 31 first-half points and struggled to establish offensive flow against the Cowboys. Queens committed 18 turnovers, one fewer than it had in its first two games combined.
“(Oklahoma State) extended into passing lanes and slowed down our ball movement,” Queens coach Grant Leonard said. “That forced us into uncharacteristic turnovers.”
Leading scorer Nasir Mann averages 19.3 points per game but was held to 11 points against Oklahoma State.
Queens will face another difficult defensive test against a BYU team that has emphasized turning stops into transition opportunities.
Despite the lopsided defeat, Leonard said Queens showed the spirit he wants.
“As far as adversity, you can go one or two ways,” Leonard said. “How you handle adversity will determine your season. Will our locker room turn on each other right now or stay together?
“I was really most excited, and this will sound like a strange thing, because our entire bench was cheering even in the last two minutes. We had that last year even though we had a couple games where we got a flat tire on the road … but our bench always stuck together.”
Leonard believes the demanding early schedule of three games in five days will help prepare Queens to defend its Atlantic Sun Tournament championship in March.
“We aren’t going to fly from Charlotte to LA to Dallas to Oklahoma in the tournament,” Leonard said. “We are just going to be sitting in our hotel.”