BYU basketball fans gathered at the Marriott Center on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, to participate in Marriott Madness, an annual event characterized by changing festivities and high energy. According to a Oct. 7 report from the Daily Herald, the event featured various party games and player introductions rather than the scrimmage held during the previous year.
The event included a shooting contest where the team of Bruce Branch III and Kailey Woolston defeated Collin Chandler and Liza Astakhova with a score of 50-46. In a game of Heads Up!, Tyler Betsey and Jake Whalin won with nine correct answers against Olivia Hamblin and Delaney Gibb, who recorded eight.
Performances included a dance number from the Cougarettes and a session involving fan cell phone flashlights. The BYU Dunk Team also performed, despite one member wearing a leg brace due to a season-ending injury.
Head coach Lee Cummard introduced the women's team, which earned 26 wins and reached the WBIT finals last season, stating the team aims to play fast and shoot the three-pointer. Men's head coach Kevin Young told the crowd that both the men's and women's teams will play for each other.
During the introductions, fans responded to freshman Bruce Branch III and junior Khadim Mboup with chants of "Bruuuuuce!" and "Boooop!" respectively. Freshman Bruce Branch III noted that the atmosphere in the Marriott Center is different when the crowd is rooting for the team.
The men's team is currently awaiting a final decision regarding the eligibility of center Jaxon Kohler, who is seeking a fifth year of eligibility after playing four seasons at Michigan State.
Junior Tyler Betsey, a transfer from Syracuse, expressed confidence in the roster, specifically praising Rob Wright as a point guard. Kailey Woolston, who returned from a church mission last October, noted the strong camaraderie and connectivity within the experienced women's team.
The men's team is scheduled to play an exhibition game against Nebraska at the Marriott Center on Oct. 16. The women's team is scheduled to play an exhibition meeting against Western Colorado in Provo.
