PROVO, Utah — BYU returns the court on Friday, Nov. 8, when the Cougars host UC Riverside at the Marriott Center for the first time since 1999. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Where to Watch
Coverage on ESPN+ begins at 6 p.m. MT with the BYUSN Countdown. Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler will be on the call with Spencer Linton serving as the sideline reporter.
Making A Strong First Impression
Tuesday's 88-50 victory over Central Arkansas made Kevin Young the 10th head coach in program history to win his first game in charge. The 33-point margin of victory is also the largest by a coach in his first game in program history.
𝙋𝙊𝙎𝙏-𝙂𝘼𝙈𝙀 𝙎𝙊𝙐𝙉𝘿𝘽𝙄𝙏𝙀𝙎: Central Arkansas
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) November 6, 2024
Coach Young pic.twitter.com/JVr3VQYGyh
A win on Friday against the Highlanders would make Young the first to win the first two games of his tenure since Roger Reid won four straight to begin the 1989-90 season.
Demin Dropping Dimes
BYU had 21 assists in the win over Central Arkansas, 11 of those coming from Egor Demin which broke the BYU debut record that had stood since 1976. In fact, no newcomer had ever had 10 or more assists in their debut until Tuesady evening. With his 18 points and 11 rebounds, he also became the second Big 12 Freshman to have 10+ points and 10+ points in the debuts.
Big 12 freshmen with 10+ points & 10+ assists in their debuts, all-time:
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) November 6, 2024
Trae Young, Oklahoma (11/12/2017)
Egor Demin, @BYUMBB (tonight) pic.twitter.com/VOtdfWU6iE
According to sports-reference, Demin is one of five NCAA Division I players this season to have an assist-points double-double with fewer than two turnovers.
Kanon Ball
Along with Demin, Kanon Catchings was one of three newcomers to score in double figures on Tuesday as the freshman finished with 17 points, going 6-of-13 from the field, 4-of-11 from three and 1-of-2 from the free throw line. He also had three blocks, tied with teammate Fousseyni Traore for the second-most blocks in a BYU debut in program history.
It’s lob city in Provo right now 🔥
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) November 6, 2024
(via @BYUMBB)
pic.twitter.com/xK6mkLOQXg
Keep The Streak Alive
The Cougars will look to win their 15th straight non-conference home game on Friday following their 88-50 victory over Central Arkansas in the season opener. During the current streak, the Cougars are winning by an average of 31.1 points per game.
Party Like It's 1999
Friday will be the second all-time meeting between the two programs and first since 1999. The last time they met on the hardwood, 'Smooth' by Santana featuring Rob Thomas was atop the Billboard Top 100 and the Highlanders were still competing at the NCAA Division II level.
Mekeli Wesley was one of five Cougars to score in double figures in a 91-62 victory, finishing iwth 24 points, going 7-of-8 from the field, 1-of-2 from three and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line.
Scouting UC Riverside
Mike Magpayo is in his fifth year at UC Riverside where he has coached the past two Big West Freshman of the Year. During his time with the Highlanders, he has gone 68-51 includign a 16-18 record last season where they won eight of their last 11 games. Friday will be his first trip to the Marriott Center since he was the director of operations at San Francisco during the 2017-18 season.
2023-24 Big West Freshman of the Year Barrington Hargress is back for the Highlanders after scoring a team-high 12.6 points per game last season. In the season opener against Oregon, the native of Inglewood, Calif. scored a team-high 20 points, going 7-of-16 from the field, 4-of-10 from three and 2-of-4 from the free throw line. Former NJCAA All-American Isaiah Moses is another returner for the Highlanders after scoring 12.2 points per game after transferring from College of Southern Idaho.
Looking Ahead
BYU continues it five-game homestand on Wednesday, Nov. 13, when the Cougars host former Director of Basketball Operations Bobby Horodyski and Queens. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.
