No. 25 BYU opened its 2026-27 men's basketball season on Monday, Nov. 2, with a 94-83 victory over Ohio State at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Robert Wright III led the Cougars with 33 points, helping the team secure a win in its season opener against the Buckeyes.
Opening Night Performance
The victory at the Delta Center marks the start of the third year of the Kevin Young era. Young, a former associate head coach for the Phoenix Suns, has led the Cougars to a 49-22 record during his first two seasons in Provo, representing the second-most wins by a head coach through their first two seasons in program history.
In the contest, BYU demonstrated significant offensive efficiency, shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from three-point range. Ohio State finished the game with 83 points, having trailed 34-37 after the first quarter and 46-34 at halftime. Despite the Buckeyes' efforts, the Cougars maintained control in the second half to secure the win.
Wright III's Rising Profile
Robert Wright III, a 6-foot-1 guard from Wilmington, Del., was a primary force in the win, finishing with 33 points and 5 assists. His performance follows a period of significant individual recognition. On Nov. 2, BYU announced that Wright III was named to the Jersey Mike's Naismith Men's College Player of the Year Watch List.
Prior to the season opener, Wright III was also named to the All-Big 12 Preseason Team on Oct. 15, 2026, as one of two players unanimously voted by the league's head coaches. His recent accolades follow a standout 2025-26 campaign where he averaged 18.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game, helping the Cougars reach the NCAA Tournament for the 33rd time in program history.
Roster Transitions
The Cougars' roster features several players with significant collegiate experience. Collin Chandler, a 6-foot-6 guard from Farmington, made his BYU debut on Monday night, 1,818 days after committing to the program as a high schooler. Chandler previously played two seasons at Kentucky under former BYU head coach Mark Pope, averaging 9.7 points per game as a sophomore.
Another addition is Jake Wahlin, a 6-foot-10 forward from Provo, who joined the Cougars after stints at Utah and Clemson. Additionally, Jaxon Kohler, a 5th-year transfer from American Fork, brings experience from Michigan State, where he played four seasons under Tom Izzo.
Program History and Rankings
The matchup between BYU and Ohio State is the eighth all-time meeting between the two programs. The series is nearly even, with the Buckeyes leading 4-3. The last meeting between the teams occurred on Dec. 30, 1997, at the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, where the Cougars secured a 72-65 victory.
BYU enters the season with high expectations from preseason analysts. According to EvanMiya.com, the Cougars possess five elite shooters, including Chandler, Dawson Baker, Kohler, Wright III, and Tyler Betsey. The team was also picked to finish sixth in the annual preseason poll conducted by the Big 12 head coaches.
Coaching Milestones
The Cougars' season opener at the Delta Center highlights the program's recent success under Kevin Young, which includes back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the Sweet 16 in the 2024-25 season. A victory on Monday would have given Young 50 wins in 72 games, tying him with G. Ott Romney for the sixth-fastest head coach to reach that milestone in program history.
