NCAA Basketball Report News

KANSAS CITY — When BYU took the stage at Big 12 basketball media days on Wednesday, there was a very noticeable absence for the Cougars: head coach Kevin Young.

In the first late scratch of the season, Young was sidelined from the annual event due to an illness and stayed back in Utah, with media members being informed of the change of plans early Wednesday morning.

Pinch hitting for Young’s media duties was assistant coach Tim Fanning, who was joined at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center by returning point guard Rob Wright III along with two of BYU’s 10 roster newcomers, Collin Chandler and Bruce Branch III.

“I think we did a good job bringing players in that are about winning and about the right things,” Fanning said during BYU’s general availability session. “I think they trust each other. We’ve got a lot of guys that can make plays, a lot of guys that are experienced enough to know the value of every possession. They’re trying to find the best option, they trust each other, so the ball is moving.”

“I think we’re focused on getting better every day. I don’t think anyone is too focused on any of the rankings, conference predictions or stuff like that.”

BYU basketball assistant Tim Flanning

The Cougars, 23-12 a year ago, have been picked to finish sixth in the Big 12 preseason poll and recently opened at No. 25 in the AP rankings.

But unlike last year’s avalanche of expectations, BYU is flying somewhat under the radar nationally, even if it did sneak into the preseason top 25. The Cougars aren’t widely considered a Big 12 title contender at this point — not that it matters to them.

“I think we’re focused on getting better every day,” Fanning said. ”I don’t think anyone is too focused on any of the rankings, conference predictions or stuff like that.

“I do think that the strength of the conference, we all know. … We’re out here trying to get better every day. We have a lot of experience doing this. That’s how we approach it every day.”

BYU did raise some eyebrows in its exhibition win over Nebraska last weekend, defeating the reigning Sweet 16-participant Huskers, 72-61, behind 36 attempted 3-pointers and an obvious uptick in defensive effort.

“For our first game, we did amazing,” Branch said. “We did everything we were supposed to do. Starting off, our shooting wasn’t what we wanted it to be, but we’re BYU, we’ll find a way. We rebounded. We guarded. We did everything we were supposed to do, and I’m proud of us.”

Branch, the latest five-star freshman to land in Provo, posted 15 points, six rebounds and five assists against Nebraska, with Chandler adding a game-high 19 points and Wright providing 17 points and seven assists as well.

“I feel like they fit (BYU) perfect,” Wright said of Branch and Chandler. “Both of their shooting abilities, two super talented players. Collin with his athleticism, that crazy dunk he had the other day. Bruce can guard each and every position. Just the way that these guys space the floor just makes the game easy, I feel like it’s just BYU basketball.”

For Chandler, transferring to BYU from Kentucky will give him a more expansive offensive workload than he had with the Wildcats, who leaned on him for 3-point shooting and little else.

“I think I bring a lot more to the table than just shooting,” Chandler said. “Something I think is needed in this group is another player that can get to the hoop and put pressure on the rim. I think this system that I’ve come into is going to give me a great ability to do that.”

While Branch is already appearing on NBA mock drafts and could be BYU’s third consecutive first-round selection next summer, he’s taking the same approach for his personal praise that the rest of his teammates have chosen for handling their preseason rankings: blocking it out.

“Long story short, I just don’t think about it. I don’t look for rankings, drafts, nothing like that. I just take every day and just use that day to get better,” Branch said.

“I’m just really focused on BYU right now, I’m not really focused on what’s next next year or anything like that. Honestly, I just want to win this year. I’m going to do everything in my power for us to do that.”

As BYU’s top returning contributor, Wright is more than merely a Big 12 Player of the Year or All-America candidate.

He’s the Cougars’ leading voice in preparing his new teammates for the reality of the Big 12, namely “how hard of a conference it is just from top to bottom,” to borrow his words.

“You can be playing one of the lowest seeds in the conference and be in a one-possession game,” Wright said. “The Big 12 has so many talented and good teams, every night it’s a battle.”