**BYU Basketball Continues to Impress, Earning “Offensive Darling” Label**
Just one year after being dubbed the “offensive darling” of college basketball, the Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars men’s basketball team is once again making waves in the NCAA ranks. Under the guidance of head coach Mark Pope, who took over the program in 2020, BYU has continued to showcase its impressive offensive prowess, earning the same label from numerous outlets.
Pope, a former professional player and assistant coach at Oklahoma and Utah Valley University, has brought a new level of excitement and success to Provo. In his first season at the helm, the Cougars won 24 games, including 13 in conference play, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference (WCC) tournament. This year, BYU has built upon that success, boasting a 14-2 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in WCC play.
The key to BYU’s success lies in its potent offense, which is averaging an impressive 84.5 points per game. The Cougars are led by senior guard Alex Barcello, who is currently averaging 18.3 points per game, while also contributing 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. Fellow senior guard Trevin Knell is also having a standout season, pouring in 15.1 points per game and knocking down a team-high 43.5% of his three-point attempts.
But it’s not just individual talent that has BYU’s offense clicking on all cylinders. The Cougars have also been praised for their unselfish play and ability to move the ball effectively on offense. They are averaging 18.5 assists per game, which ranks among the top 25 teams in the country.
“We’re just trying to be as unselfish as possible and make it hard for defenses to prepare for us,” Pope said in a recent interview. “We’ve got guys who can make plays from different spots on the court, and that’s made us a tough team to defend.”
As a result of their dominant offense, BYU has become a favorite among college basketball fans and pundits alike. Many are predicting that the Cougars will make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this March, potentially even earning a spot in the Sweet 16 or further.
While there is still much basketball left to be played, it’s clear that BYU’s “offensive darling” label is well-deserved. Under Coach Pope’s guidance, the Cougars have established themselves as one of the most exciting and formidable teams in the country, and fans are eager to see what the rest of the season holds for this talented group of SEE MORE