Storm Warning in College Hoops: Mark Pope Predicts BYU Breakout, Hails Brandon Garrison as the Next Dominant Superstar
There’s a storm gathering over the college basketball landscape—and it’s not coming from the traditional blue-blood programs. It’s swirling out of Provo, Utah, where BYU head coach Mark Pope is quietly building what he believes could be one of the most dynamic teams in the nation. With returning talent sharpening their edge and a future superstar anchoring the frontcourt, the Cougars are poised to make serious noise in the coming season.
At the center of Pope’s bold prediction is Brandon Garrison, the high-upside big man whose arrival in Provo has already begun to shift expectations. “He’s not just a talented player,” Pope said in a recent interview. “Brandon Garrison is a force of nature—he has all the tools to be a dominant superstar at the college level.”
Garrison, a former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, brings size, athleticism, and a two-way game that BYU fans haven’t seen in years. While much of the national media remains focused on the blue-chip recruits heading to programs like Duke and Kansas, Pope sees something different: a generational player who is just getting started.
But this isn’t just about one player.
Pope’s confidence isn’t rooted solely in Garrison’s potential—it stems from what he calls the “perfect storm” of returning players who are battle-tested, hungry, and ready to explode. Veterans like Trevin Knell, Fousseyni Traore, and Dallin Hall have not only grown within Pope’s system but have developed the chemistry and toughness that separates contenders from pretenders.
“This group has grit,” Pope noted. “They’ve been through the fire. They know what it means to fight for every inch on the court, and now, they’re ready to take that next leap.”
That leap couldn’t come at a more critical time. With BYU continuing to adjust to life in the Big 12—a conference loaded with elite competition—the Cougars are no longer just aiming to survive. They’re aiming to shock the system.
Mark Pope’s coaching philosophy, which blends NBA-style spacing with relentless defensive pressure, seems tailor-made for a breakout campaign. And with the size and skill of Garrison bolstering the middle, BYU has the potential to challenge even the most entrenched powerhouses.
College hoops fans may want to take note: the Cougars aren’t content with being a feel-good story or a fringe bracket-buster. They’re building a brand of basketball that’s fast, physical, and fearless.
As Pope put it, “We’re not just trying to keep up—we’re trying to crash the party. And we’ve got the pieces to do it.”
So brace yourself. A storm is coming to college hoops—and BYU is right at the eye of it.
