IRVING, Texas – BYU’s Richie Saunders was named the Big 12 Player of the Week on Monday afternoon after leading the Cougars to consecutive wins over ranked opponents for the first time since 1988.
In wins over No. 23 Kansas and No. 19 Arizona, Saunders averaged 22.5 points per game, shooting 73.9 percent from the field, 58.3 percent from three and 80.0 percent from the free throw line. He also had five rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block en route to becoming the first BYU men’s basketball player to be named the league’s player of the week since joining the conference last season.
The Big 12 leader in 3-point field goal percentage in league play had a team-high 22 points in the Cougars' 91-57 victory over No. 23 Kansas going 9-of-13 from the field and 4-of-8 from behind the arc. Not only was the win over the Jayhawks BYU’s largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent, but it also marked the biggest regulation loss for KU under Bill Self.
Saunders followed that up with a 23-point performance at No. 19 Arizona including knocking down the game-winning free throws in the final seconds with BYU trailing by one. He went 8-of-10 from the field, 3-of-4 from behind the arc and 4-of-5 from the free throw in the Cougars' first-ever win over a ranked Wildcat team, ending an eight-game losing streak.
Richie makes it look EASY.
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) February 23, 2025
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/f9b3zOLbPH
The Cougars, who were named NCAA March Madness Team of the Week, return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 26, when they take on Arizona State in Tempe. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MT on ESPN+.