Key Highlights
- BYU’s No. 10 Cougars will face ACC’s Clemson in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
- Clemson has two starters from Utah, including Jake Wahlin and Carter Welling, while BYU has three Utahns but only Richie Saunders as a starter.
- BYU coach Kevin Young acknowledges the prestige of playing in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden for the first time this season.
- The Cougars are coming off a 91-60 victory over Cal Baptist, while Clemson is also on a strong start with a record of 7-2.
BYU’s Rise and the Jimmy V Classic
When Kevin Young replaced Mark Pope as BYU’s head coach in 2024, the expectation was high but the reality was uncertain. Today, after a successful season that includes their participation in the prestigious Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden, the Cougars are proving why they are now considered one of the top programs in college basketball.
The Team’s Journey
Under Young’s leadership, BYU has assembled a diverse and talented roster. Notable additions include NBA top-three draft pick AJ Dybantsa, standout players from Delaware (Robert Wright III), Missouri (Kennard Davis Jr.), Mali (Keba Keita), France (Dominique Diomande), Austria (Aleksej Kostic), Serbia (Mihailo Boskovic), and Africa (Khadim Mboup). This international mix has not only added depth but also a unique dynamic to the team.
Opponent Analysis: Clemson Tigers
Clemson, with a 7-2 record, presents a formidable challenge. The Tigers have two key starters from Utah—Provo’s Jake Wahlin and Draper’s Carter Welling—who add an extra layer of familiarity for BYU players. Meanwhile, BYU has three Utahns on its roster but only Richie Saunders as a starter.
Young emphasizes the importance of knowing their opponents: “We are super familiar with Wahlin and Welling.
Both good players, and they kind of fit how Clemson plays. They usually have a slew of bigger players, which they do now. Very physical team, they try to beat you up.”
Preparation for the Game
The Cougars arrived in New York City on Sunday and practiced Monday morning at a Nike basketball facility near their hotel. On Tuesday, they will get a shootaround at Madison Square Garden. BYU coach Kevin Young has coached in the Garden many times as an NBA assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns.
Young aims to keep things simple: “I try not to make things that aren’t a big deal a big deal, so I haven’t really hit on it.
It is important to get in there and just kind of take the mystique out of the evening.” The coach also mentioned the positive interaction with former BYU guard Egor Demin from the Brooklyn Nets, who will join the Cougars for dinner after Tuesday’s game.
BYU’s key players like Dawson Baker and Nate Pickens are out due to lower-leg surgeries, but generally, the team is healthy. Diomande missed the Cal Baptist game due to illness but has returned with the team. The plan is to tour parts of New York City on a bus before having a team dinner together.
Conclusion
The Jimmy V Classic matchup between BYU and Clemson is not just about winning or losing; it’s about showcasing the progress and growth of BYU’s basketball program under coach Kevin Young. As the Cougars step onto Madison Square Garden, they bring with them a blend of talent, international flair, and a strong sense of preparation.
For fans and players alike, this game is an exciting chapter in the evolving narrative of BYU basketball—a story that continues to captivate audiences far beyond the Marriott Center’s usual confines.
