The Hive Sports

by Joe Oliver

It was a larger than expected crowd at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday night. Near freezing temperatures on an election night did not dissuade the 16,941 fans from attending the 2024 season opener for the BYU basketball team. The Cougars hosted the Bears of University of Central Arkansas.

BYU began their 2024 season under new leadership in head coach, Kevin Young (previously of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns). With senior Trey Stewart and point guard Dallin Hall on the bench recovering from injuries, the freshmen class took charge. According to BYU, it was the first time since 2016 that they started two true freshmen in a season opener. 

The first half started off with what appeared to be a fairly competitive team in UCA. BYU’s Knell and Demin both hit 3-pointers to start the game. Yet, with just over 10 minutes left in the first half, the score was a close 15-18 in favor of BYU. It was at that point that a missed second free-throw by UCA’s Nehemiah Turner kicked off a series of blunders by both teams.

BYU rebounded and then missed an open 3-point shot. UCA drove down the court and lost their chance to tie the game with a missed 3-pointer. BYU pushed the ball up and missed a layup. After an offensive rebound, Mawot Mag then missed an uncontested jump shot. UCA came back and missed a second three-point attempt which would have tied the game. After a loose ball struggle was lost out of bounds to BYU,  Richie Saunders would drill a 3-pointer and end the chaos. UCA missed again on their next possession and by then, BYU’s offense had begun to click. Over the next 5 minutes of play, the Cougars went on a 15-2 run. The score was 46-23 at halftime and it was clear that the Cougars offense was on fire.

Freshman Egor Demin of Russia and Kanon Catchings from Indiana brought an electric energy to the game. Demin scored 13 in the first half and finished with 18 points and an impressive 11 assists in 31 minutes. Catchings was a formidable defender at the top of the key. Especially when he put pressure on UCA’s guards during several minutes of full-court press in the second half. He finished with 17 points, 1 assist and 3 rebounds.

Cougar fans have a lot to look forward to as long as these two freshmen stay committed to BYU. Demin brings a European style of play which is difficult to guard. While Catchings brings with him a rich basketball heritage. His mother played college ball at Illinois and was a WNBA draft pick. His grandfather spent 11 seasons in the NBA. And his aunt, Tamika, was a four-time Olympic gold medalist while also being named a WNBA MVP and 10-time All-Star with the Indiana Fever.

A returning familiar face was junior Richie Saunders who was an all around player last night with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Mihailo Boskovic, a junior from Serbia who is expected to be a lottery pick in next year’s NBA draft, added 11 points from the bench. While Keba Keita, who played for the University of Utah last year, understood his role well by bringing in 10 rebounds and 6 points. 

BYU basketball legend, Jimmer Fredette, was in attendance as a guest broadcaster. He sat alongside Dave McCann, Blaine Fowler and Spencer Linton and gave unique insight in his debut as an analyst on ESPN+. At one point, he met with BYU football quarterback, Jake Retzlaff, who was also in attendance. One of the loudest cheers of the night came as the first ever Jewish quarterback was shown on the jumbotron during a timeout.

Central Arkansas (UCA), is a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Their most notable player is Scottie Pippen (1983-1987). Pippen was a first round, 5th overall NBA draft pick and went to on win six NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls. The UCA Bears have appeared in 15 NAIA tournaments. Their last run was in 2005 which ended in a loss in the semifinals to Lynn college. 

BYU’s next game is Friday at home against UC Riverside. 

Featured image courtesy Joe Oliver