🔥 Why Kevin Young is Crafting BYU’s Most Challenging Nonconference Schedule Yet

🔥 Why Kevin Young is Crafting BYU’s Most Challenging Nonconference Schedule Yet

Head coach Kevin Young is revolutionizing BYU basketball’s approach to its nonconference slate, and the reasons are strategic and far-reaching:

1. Prepare for Big 12 Battlefield

BYU enters one of the nation’s toughest leagues. Young has emphasized the importance of testing his squad early—beating the same tough opponents during nonconference play that they’ll face nightly in conference: “play harder teams… getting some harder games early to learn more about ourselves” . Facing quality opponents sharpens both team identity and resilience on and off the court.

2. Evaluate Lineups & Build Depth

Young has employed an unusually deep rotation—often using 10–13 players per game, even in close contests—to assess talent, build chemistry, and cultivate trust . Playing formidable opponents lets him test diverse lineups well before postseason pressure, affording him flexibility when it counts.

3. Sharpened Roster, Sharper Results

Early challenges exposed weaknesses—such as playmaking struggles and defensive lapses—that Young addressed midseason. That pivot fueled a stunning nine-game Big 12 winning streak, including blowouts over Kansas and Arizona . These early tests made later success possible.

4. Elevate Recruiting & Player Development

Young’s NBA pedigree and willingness to engage in tough scheduling signal to recruits and current players that BYU is serious about becoming a national power . It also builds player resumes for draft and NIL appeal—supporting both competitive and individual ambitions.

TL;DR: Kevin Young isn’t just scheduling tough games for looks. It’s a purpose-driven strategy: test the roster early, broaden rotations, boost team identity, and build a national-level program ready for the Big 12—and beyond.