3 takeaways from BYU’s 85-74 loss to No. 20 Arizona
View 10 Comments
Share
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) lays the ball up while guarded by Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Arizona’s offense was elite. The Wildcats proved especially potent in Provo, shooting 49.2% from the field, 38.1% from 3-point range and 88.2% from the free throw line.
Special Collector's Issue: "1984: The Year BYU was Second to None"
Get an inclusive look inside BYU Football's 1984 National Championship season.
When your opponent shoots like prime Steph Curry in your own gym, winning becomes nearly impossible.
Conversely, BYU shot 41.8%, 29.4% and 57.1% in the same such categories, including a concerning 3 for 16 from deep in the second half and making just two of its final 12 field goal attempts.
1 of 21
BYU Cougars forward Mawot Mag (0) takes a shot while guarded by Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
2 of 21
BYU Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) lays the ball up while guarded by Arizona Wildcats forward Trey Townsend (4) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
3 of 21
BYU Cougars players huddle around center Fousseyni Traore (45) during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
4 of 21
Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd calls out during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the BYU Cougars held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
5 of 21
BYU Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) guards Arizona Wildcats guard KJ Lewis (5) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
6 of 21
The Roar of the Cougars pep band plays during an NCAA men’s basketball game between the BYU Cougars and the Arizona Wildcats held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
7 of 21
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) reaches for the ball while guarded by Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) and guard KJ Lewis (5) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
8 of 21
BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) passes the ball out while guarded by Arizona Wildcats guard Grant Weitman (15) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
9 of 21
BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) goes up for a shot past Arizona Wildcats defenders during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
10 of 21
The BYU student section cheers during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
11 of 21
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) goes up for a shot while guarded by Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) and forward Carter Bryant (9) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
12 of 21
BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young watches a shot go up beside Ryan Smith, right, during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
13 of 21
BYU Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) fouls Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) as he reaches for the ball during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
14 of 21
BYU Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) celebrates with center Keba Keita (13) after a play against the Arizona Wildcats during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
15 of 21
BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young reacts to a referee;s call during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
16 of 21
Arizona Wildcats forward Henri Veesaar (13) dunks the ball while guarded by BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
17 of 21
BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) drives the ball toward the basket while guarded by Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
18 of 21
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) lays the ball up while guarded by Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
19 of 21
BYU Cougars forward Mawot Mag (0) celebrates his basket against the Arizona Wildcats during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
20 of 21
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) celebrates his basket against the Arizona Wildcats during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
21 of 21
BYU Cougars forward Mawot Mag (0) celebrates his 3-pointer against the Arizona Wildcats during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
The Cougars couldn’t keep up in the rebounding battle. A rather solid team on the boards this season, BYU finally got bullied against Arizona.
The Wildcats grabbed 45 rebounds to the Cougars’ 30 — the largest such difference of the season for Kevin Young’s squad.
10
Comments
Additionally, Arizona scored 42 points in the paint, with BYU struggling to defend down low.
Dallin Hall seems to have gotten his groove back. While the junior point guard has been somewhat quiet this season as he adjusts to his new role coming off the bench, Hall looked every bit of the difference maker he’s previously been for the Cougars.
He scored 11 points on 5 of 10 shooting with four rebounds, six assists and just a single turnover. More importantly, Hall played much more confidently — an area that had been seemingly lacking in recent outings.
Though BYU fell short against the Wildcats, if Hall can build off his Tuesday efforts, the Cougars will have another capable weapon in their arsenal down the stretch.
Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.
