TUCSON, Ariz. — BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders, a First Team All-Big 12 talent, will miss the remainder of the basketball season after tearing his ACL during Saturday’s overtime victory against Colorado, the university confirmed Sunday. The injury casts a shadow over BYU’s upcoming schedule, which includes a rematch against No. 4 Arizona on Wednesday and a home game against No. 6 Iowa State on Saturday.
Saunders, averaging 18.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game at the time of the injury, announced the news via Instagram, expressing his heartbreak at the premature end to his college career. “To end my BYU career like this is heartbreaking,” Saunders wrote. “I’ve loved every moment and every challenge that came with representing the school I love.”
BYU coach Kevin Young acknowledged the significant loss, stating, “I’ll forever be grateful for Richie. I think he’s everything that’s great about a college basketball player.” Young noted the outpouring of support from within and outside the Big 12 conference, highlighting Saunders’ impact on the game and his character.
The timing of the injury is particularly challenging for the Cougars, who had recently experienced a four-game losing streak before the win against Colorado. BYU’s upcoming contests against Arizona and Iowa State represent a demanding stretch to close out the regular season. Despite the setback, Young expressed a determined outlook. “I think I do better in situations like this, (with a) back-against-the-wall type of mentality,” he said Tuesday. “I’m as energized as I’ve ever been as a coach and I’m really taking this challenge head on.”
Wednesday’s game against Arizona presents a unique set of circumstances for both teams. Arizona has dropped its last two games, including a 78-75 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday, during which freshman forward Koa Peat suffered a lower-body injury that will maintain him sidelined against BYU. Arizona wing Dwayne Aristode will miss the game due to illness, leaving the Wildcats with only six available rotation players.
Despite being shorthanded, Arizona still possesses significant offensive threats, particularly guards Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley, who combined for 55 points against BYU in their previous meeting on January 26. Young acknowledged Arizona’s strengths, stating, “One thing I respect about (Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd) is he’s going to do what he does, and you’re going to have to stop it.”
BYU will look to its own dynamic duo of Rob Wright III and AJ Dybantsa to carry the offensive load in Saunders’ absence. Wright is averaging 34.5 points over his last two games, although Dybantsa leads the country in scoring. Young emphasized the need for both players to elevate their game. “We’re going to need him to be a play finisher in conjunction with being a playmaker,” Young said of Wright.
Shooting will be crucial for BYU’s upset attempt. In their first matchup against Arizona, the Cougars shot 38% from three-point range, hitting 13 of 34 attempts. Against Colorado, Cougar reserves Tyler Mrus, Aleksej Kostić, and Mihailo Boskovic combined for five three-pointers, a performance Young hopes to see replicated. “Everyone’s going to have more opportunity,” Young said. “I think you saw it in the Colorado game.”
Young indicated he plans to experiment with different lineup combinations to compensate for Saunders’ absence, and to unlock the full potential of players like Kennard Davis Jr. “I think I’ve probably done him a disservice by trying to create him, you know, a strictly catch-and-shoot guy when he has a lot more to offer,” Young said.
With its season at a crossroads, BYU faces a significant test of resilience. Young expressed confidence in his team’s ability to adapt and overcome adversity, drawing on his own coaching experience. “It’s a band of brothers,” he said. “I’m extremely motivated knowing that it’s not going to be easy, but nothing’s ever really that easy.”
