BYU basketball has opened the 2026-27 season in style, and the latest news from Provo is full of reasons for Cougars fans to be excited. A statement win over Ohio State, a star performance from Robert Wright III, and a milestone for head coach Kevin Young have made this one of the most talked-about starts to the college basketball season. Here is the latest BYU basketball news.
Cougars Beat Ohio State in Season Opener
No. 25 BYU opened the season on Monday night with a 94-83 victory over Ohio State at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. It was the Cougars’ eighth consecutive season-opening win, and it came in impressive fashion.
After a slow start, BYU found its rhythm in the second half, scoring 60 points after the break while shooting 69 per cent from the field and 70 per cent from three-point range. That second-half surge turned a tight contest into a comfortable win and sent an early message to the rest of college basketball.
The win also kept BYU’s strong record against Big Ten opposition under Kevin Young intact, with the Cougars now 3-0 against the conference during his time in charge.
Robert Wright III Steals the Show
The star of the night was junior guard Robert Wright III. He finished with a game-high 35 points, according to BYU Athletics, including 21 after half-time, on 10-of-16 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. He also went 11-of-12 from the free-throw line.
Before the season, Young had predicted that Wright would be the best point guard in college basketball, and his opening-night display backed up that claim. Wright attacked the basket, hit shots from deep, and controlled the game when it mattered most.
He was not alone. Junior Tyler Betsey opened his BYU career in style, scoring 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including four three-pointers, and adding seven rebounds. Five Cougars scored in double figures in total, a sign of the depth Young has at his disposal this season.
Freshman Bruce Branch III also impressed on his debut, scoring 12 points with three rebounds and three assists, while fellow freshman Brooks Bahr made his first appearance in a BYU uniform.
A Milestone for Coach Kevin Young
The win over Ohio State was also a personal landmark for head coach Kevin Young. It was his 50th career victory at BYU, making him the joint sixth-fastest coach in program history to reach the milestone.
Young is now in his third season in Provo, and his record speaks for itself. The Cougars have reached the NCAA Tournament in each of his first two seasons, including a run to the Sweet 16, and a third straight tournament appearance this March would match a feat only previously achieved by Roger Reid in his first three seasons as head coach.
Wright’s form has also earned national recognition. He was named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List ahead of the season, and his opening-night performance will only strengthen his case as one of the best players in the country.
Home Opener at the Marriott Center
After the neutral-site win in Salt Lake City, BYU now heads home. The Cougars welcome Omaha to the Marriott Center for their home opener on Friday, November 6, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. MT and coverage on ESPN+.
BYU has won 20 straight home openers, a remarkable run that the team will be keen to extend. The meeting with Omaha will be only the second ever between the two schools, and the first since 1943, when BYU earned a 45-40 victory.
The Cougars have a strong record against schools from the Summit League, winning 14 of their last 16 meetings since the 1980-81 season. On paper, Friday’s game is one BYU should win comfortably, but Young will want to see his team build on the second-half form that beat Ohio State rather than easing off.
What to Watch This Season
- Robert Wright III: After a 35-point opener and a place on the Naismith Watch List, Wright is the player every opponent will game-plan for. Can he keep up this level all season?
- Three-point shooting: BYU shot 11-of-24 from deep against Ohio State and 7-of-10 in the second half. If that shooting holds, the Cougars will be hard to stop.
- The freshmen: Branch and Bahr both made their debuts on Monday. How quickly they settle in could decide how deep BYU can go in March.
- Defence: The Cougars needed 94 points to beat Ohio State, and the Buckeyes shot well inside the arc. Improving on defence will be key against stronger opposition.
- Home form: The Marriott Center is one of the toughest places to play in college basketball. A long winning run at home would set BYU up well for the Big 12 season.
The Bottom Line
The latest BYU basketball news is good news for Cougars fans. A ranked win over a Big Ten side, a career night from Wright III, and a milestone for Young have made this a dream start to the season. If BYU can carry its second-half form into the home opener and beyond, this could be a special year in Provo.
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