BYU is getting some reinforcements for the start of Big 12 play.
Egor Demin and Richie Saunders are expected to return from injury in the Cougars’ conference opener against Arizona State Tuesday, head coach Kevin Young told reporters Monday.
“Barring anything unforeseen, those guys should be available,” Young said of Demin and Saunders.
Demin suffered a knee injury early in BYU’s contest at Providence on Dec. 3 and missed the following three games.
The freshman phenom from Russia was averaging 13.3 points and 5.8 assists per game — leading the Cougars in both categories — while shooting 49.2% from the field prior to being sidelined.
In the game’s first minute against Wyoming on Dec. 14, Saunders collided into an opposing player, with the contact resulting in a concussion. He was removed from the floor and did not return, missing the following outing against Florida A&M as well.
Saunders had been enjoying a career year in his first campaign as a full-time starter, averaging 12.3 points per game and shooting 40% from 3-point range.
Despite being shorthanded, BYU has won each of its past three games by an average of 31 points each. Returning Demin and Saunders is a major boost for the Cougars, however, considering the rigorous Big 12 slate ahead of them, beginning with KenPom’s No. 55-ranked squad in Arizona State.
