Byu contradicts the low expectations and overcomes the slow start to become a team that can be seen in March Madness

Provo, Utah – there was hardly the reason to assume that BYU would be a big 12 conference candidate – no matter, a team that is classified in the previous season.

Then the Cougars lived on expectations by losing four of their first six league games.

BYU finally turned and won 11 out of 13 games to close the regular season, including eight in a row. The Cougars reached the Big 12 tournament semi -final before fell to Houston. BYU drew a 6 seed in the NCAA tournament for a second season in a row and will compete in the first round with 11 seeds -VCU on Thursday.

Kevin Young, coach in the first year, said after the difficult start that his team became more patient, tough and resistant. The Cougars also simply did better offensive.

“Here we could move the needle,” said Young.

In front of the square, robust investments from alumni donors-a bit of Ryan Smith, Ryan Smith, helped in Utah Jazz and Ryan Smith-byu to recruit first-class talent. The Cougars attracted Richie Saunders and Dallin Hall back to Provo after both players entered the transfer portal when Mark Pope dropped to Kentucky. Young and his employees have also used a possible NBA Lottery Pick Egor Demin and highly effective transfers Keba Keita (Utah) and Mawot Mag (Rutgers).

BYU achieved the biggest recruitment victory in autumn when national news was achieving by landing the school's first five-star recruit of the school in AJ Dybantsa. It will probably be number 1 in the draft of the next year.

Now the Cougars in the NCAA tournament have to be just as successful. There seems to be no lack of trust that is possible.

“I have the feeling that everything clicks at the right time,” said Forward Fousseyni Traore. “I believe in this team. I think we can take a big run. We will shock a lot of people. I think so. “

The Cougars have reached the sweet 16 since 1981 behind the Sharpshooting Jimmer Fredette in 2011. You have never done the Final Four in 31 earlier tournament appearances. BYU players say that they are able to overcome this story of March failure.

“We have the feeling that we were one of the best team in the country,” said Young. “We have beaten a lot of good basketball teams, and that's the great thing about the Big 12. At night and night they play against some of the best teams in the country, so we have the feeling that we tested battle.”

Many hopes rest on Saunders, who has become a role player to Byus primary scorer. He was appointed the most injured player of the BIG 12 after increasing an average of 16.0 points to 51.4% at 51.4% from 9.6 per game a year ago. The junior wing also shot 43.7% from the 3-point range and made a team height of 69 3-horseras.

Saunders, an all-Big 12 first team selection, offers many chances to score with relentless energy. He makes quick decisions, plays the floor and attacks finishes and annoys the defenders from one property to the next.

“He can't be put off,” said Young. “He has an unusual engine.”

Since BYU to the BIG 12, the call has acquired a persistent threat from the scope. This season, the Cougars made 10.6 3 points per game-the Big 12 and all Power Conference Schools and convert 37% of their total 3-point attempts.

However, BYU is not one -dimensional. The Cougars regularly and successfully attacked the rims when outer shots did not fall long in home winners against West Virginia or Utah.

“Last year, if we had off-shooting nights, the teams would really try to take the 3 away-we would fight a little,” said Hall. “I think we are much more dynamic this year. We have a lot of options. “

BYU's depth and versatility also contributed to the cougars for most defenses become a tough matchup.

Young has employed 11-man rotation in many games this season. No player achieves an average of more than 29 minutes per game and ten 10 minutes in every competition. Only Saunders and Demin an average of more than 10 points.

“We had a lot of people who had just remained ready for us over the course of the year,” said Guard Dawson Baker. “We have seen many adjustments with the season and various matchups and lineups. All of this helped us find paths to win. ”