BYU men’s basketball returned to the national rankings this week after the Associated Press released its preseason Top 25, slotting the Cougars in the final No. 25 spot, according to a October 20 report.
The Cougars enter the season following a 17-2 start last year that included a top-10 ranking before a season-ending injury to guard Richie Saunders impacted the team's trajectory. BYU ultimately finished 23-12 and lost to Texas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The BYU roster features star power from Branch and returning point guard Robert Wright III. The team also added transfers Collin Chandler from the University of Kentucky and Jaxon Kohler from Michigan State University.
In a recent exhibition, BYU defeated Nebraska 72-61. Chandler led the Cougars with 19 points, while Wright recorded 17 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Branch contributed 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists, and Kohler totaled 10 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes of play.
The University of Utah has begun releasing information for festivities surrounding ESPN’s College GameDay, which is scheduled to be staged at President’s Circle on Saturday. The broadcast will be live from 7-7 a.m. before Utah faces Houston in a top-15 matchup.
Fans can enter the area starting at 5 p.m. Friday, where the university plans to provide music, food, and giveaways for students. For the game on Saturday, the university is encouraging the use of UTA services, noting that the TRAX red line will stop on campus every 15 minutes beginning at 4:45 a.m. Several parking lots on the northern side of campus will be available for free if vacated by noon Saturday.
The Utah Jazz are projected by some to make a significant jump this season following the addition of Jaren Jackson Jr., Darryn Peterson, and the continued presence of Lauri Markkanen. BetMGM Sportsbook trader Christian Cipollini told the Associated Press that the Jazz represent one of the highest liabilities for bets regarding unrealistic teams to win.
The Jazz open their season on Wednesday night in Memphis and will then begin a five-game homestand starting Friday against New Orleans.
BYU is scheduled to play an exhibition at UNLV this Saturday. The team will open its regular season on Nov. 2 by hosting Ohio State at the Delta Center. The Utah game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.
