Social media reacts to Richie Saunders’ career night against TCU

Published: March 2, 2024, 11:10 p.m. MST

BYU guard Richie Saunders drives fiercely against a TCU defender on March 2 at the Marriott Center in Provo. BYU Photo

Jackson has been writing about sports for the Deseret News since 2023.

When BYU needed him most, Richie Saunders delivered.

The scrappy sophomore guard didn’t have the flashiest stats, but he very well may have been the most valuable player for the Cougars Saturday night against TCU. Mark Pope’s crew likely wouldn’t have pulled off its crazed second half comeback without him.

Saunders finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and a plus/minus mark of +19, but it was his now-or-never hustle, tenacious defense and clutch shooting that both sparked his BYU squad late and endeared himself to Cougar fans everywhere.

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Comments

Social media was filled with postgame praise for Saunders. Here are a few such reactions.

Richie Saunders appreciation post 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/FSqP1ZCfAp
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 3, 2024

Richie Saunders does so many little things for BYU and hardly gets any credit.

One of America's best Glue Guys. https://t.co/qrcPKplvqO
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 3, 2024

There has been a few players after me that I’d have LOVED to play with.

Richie Saunders ranks UP THERE!

What a special player!
— Jonathan Tavernari (@For3JT) March 3, 2024

Richie Saunders absolutely FEASTING
— The ROC (@byuROC) March 3, 2024

don't look now but Richie Saunders is saving basketball again
— Yze Guy (@yze_guy) March 3, 2024

Me watching Richie Saunders: pic.twitter.com/sl4fnlmNsB
— Justin Anderson (@jda593) March 3, 2024

Richie Saunders! Just makes winning plays.
— Casey Lundquist (@casey_lundquist) March 3, 2024

Richie Saunders in consideration for the Madden 25 cover.
— Sporty (@SportyMcSports) March 3, 2024

Man, how much is America going to come to love Richie Saunders Come NCAA tourney time?!?! That dude is MADE for March Madness.
— mike (@heman_hyde) (@heman_hyde) March 3, 2024

Richie Saunders should win the Naismith.

RICHAYYYYYYYYYY
— Geoff Johnston (@geoffjBYU) March 3, 2024

.@BYUMBB’s Richie Saunders will for sure be consensus @Big12Conference 8th Man of the year. pic.twitter.com/wN2Xa8pLAV
— Nathan Anderson (@JNathanAnderson) March 3, 2024

If there was a “Hustler Of the Year” award in college basketball, Richie Saunders would be winning it.
— 🍍Andy Splatz🍍 (@AndySplatz) March 3, 2024

Call him Roy Kent

“He’s here, he’s there, he’s every [flipping] where, Richie. Saunders.” https://t.co/XXi2qTTHVk
— Zak (@zakhicken) March 3, 2024

Go ahead and put Richie Saunders right next to him!!! 🔥 https://t.co/JjCK1OQgmL
— Raider Damuni 🇫🇯 (@raiderdamuni) March 3, 2024

Richie Saunders changed this game.
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) March 3, 2024

SING IT FROM THE ROOPTOPS JON.@SethDavisHoops must add Richie Saunders to his All-Glue team. https://t.co/LV6bYfYVGQ
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) March 3, 2024

I love Richie Saunders. @BYUMBB
— Travis Hansen (@travishansen24) March 3, 2024

Richie Saunders tonight pic.twitter.com/l16S20aUal
— Parker Cherrington (@parkcherrington) March 3, 2024

Ritchie Saunders to TCU in the second half #byubasketball pic.twitter.com/lBQmPZ6YKU
— Ethan Clayburn (@Clayburnie) March 3, 2024

#BYU just outscored TCU by 29 points (58-29) in the 2nd half... and win 87-75.

Down 17 at half... win by 12. Marriott Center magic? Maybe. But I'm more inclined to believe it's just the makeup of this @BYUMBB team... and guys like Richie Saunders.#BYUSN
— Spencer Linton (@Spencer_Linton) March 3, 2024

The Richie Saunders hype train is going 400 MPH
— Ethan (@EthanHoliday2) March 3, 2024

Can you imagine what Bronco Mendenhall could do with the grit of a guy like Richie Saunders in a football player?
— Micah (@El_Mas_Micah) March 3, 2024

Richie Saunders: future March Madness hero pic.twitter.com/v2fLinZgxp
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) March 3, 2024

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