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If you’re a BYU fan, you probably haven’t felt this kind of excitement in a long time. This season just feels different. The buzz around campus, the packed practices, the chatter around the community, all of it revolves around one name: AJ Dybantsa. The No. 1 recruit in the nation has brought a wave of optimism and energy the Cougars haven’t seen in years. And he didn’t disappoint in their season opener. Coach Kevin Young was quick to praise his freshman superstar after a big 71-66 win over the three-time champions, the Villanova Wildcats, in Sin City. In an interview with TNT Sports’ Andy Katz, Young had a 14-second praise for the star forward, “I thought he was really good. You know, he came through in the clutch when we needed him. A couple of those, I thought they forced him into a shot that he and we didn’t want. But overall, man, for a freshman in his first game to deliver like that in crunch time was impressive.” It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Cougars. What looked like a comfortable 14-point lead quickly started to slip away as Villanova fought their way back into the game. Suddenly, with just over six minutes left, Bryce Lindsay nailed a deep three to put the Wildcats ahead. For a moment, it felt like the air had been sucked out of the arena. But just when it seemed like things were falling apart, AJ Dybantsa stepped up! The projected No. 1 pick in next year’s draft completely took over after that Lindsay three. Dybantsa scored six points, taking control of the offense and even running plays like a seasoned point-forward. He ended the night with 21 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to college basketball, right? The best part was that he didn’t have to do it alone. Veteran big man Keba Keita stepped up just when the Cougars needed him most. He came up with two key blocks in the second half and made the play of the night when he rose up and disrupted Devin Askew’s final three-point attempt — Villanova’s last real chance to tie the game. It was one of those moments that might not steal headlines, but it absolutely sealed the win. He wrapped up the night with eight points, seven rebounds (three of them offensive), and three blocks — a true all-around effort. Naturally, he earned high praise from the coach. “Keba started every game for us last year, and he’s a presence, a force and an anchor,” Young said in the same interview with TNT Sports. For a program that’s never even come close to the Final Four, this is about as good a start as you could script. And honestly? With the way this team looks, it doesn’t feel crazy to say the Cougars might actually make that dream come true this season. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Can AJ Dybantsa and co do the impossible? For the first time ever, BYU finds itself ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 preseason poll — a massive milestone for the program. The Cougars are also projected to finish second in the Big 12, sitting just behind last season’s runners-up, Houston. And while coach Kevin Young has insisted, “I don’t care if we are picked dead last, or first,” you can definitely sense the confidence in how this team plays. And why shouldn’t they be confident? It’s not just the AJ Dybantsa show in Provo. This BYU squad is loaded. They’ve got talented floor general Rob Wright III running the point, preseason All-America candidate Richie Saunders to play alongside him, one of the best rim protectors in the country in Keba Keita, and elite scorer Kennard Davis Jr. coming over from Southern Illinois. That’s not all! Don’t forget the returners who helped the Cougars reach the Sweet 16 last year — Mihailo Boskovic and Dawson Baker are back in the mix too. Coach Kevin Young has no shortage of talent to work with this season. And even though it’s only his second year leading the Cougars, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this might be their best and possibly the only chance to finally break past their program-best Elite Eight finish. But can BYU take that next step and make it all the way to the Final Four? What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments below
