October 10, 2025 • 21 mins
Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.
Today's Co-Hosts: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin)
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Today's Co-Hosts: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin)
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to this of marches right around the corner
and the Cougars are in the metal of it.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
It's time to talk some college basketball on Cougar Sports
with Ben Cribber. Welcome back Cougar Sports, one of the
green nin ninety eight point threspn the fan. I'm been
crudal broadcasting from our Vanderwilth Studios Vanderwealth dot Com. Get
on a free Q and A no obligation to invest
Q and A with our tax bar Wealth Advisors. Today,
I want to talk to some college basketball in this
segment with a former BYU Rate, a bucket getter for Brigham.
(00:27):
We're going to delve into the blue White scrimmage that
occurred last night Marriott Center. Madness occurred and it was glorious.
It was great, it was grand, it was wonderful. We're
going to break it all down. It's going to be
brought to you by Ortho Pros of Utah Orthoprosovutah dot com.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
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Speaker 2 (00:42):
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(01:06):
let's get out to the hotline. Welcome in the former
BYU Rate the Brazilian Bamba, the bucket getter of Brigham
to break down some college basketball and BAU basketball.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
We got JT. Jonathan Tabernari on the line. J T
for three. What's up, buddy?
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Someone that only lost the Blue and White scrimmage ones
I might add a hey.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Man, you gotta keep tabs.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
You gotta keep records, wins and losses, even in these scrimmages.
So you know, these Blue White games are awesome. It's
the introduction to it's the tip off of the season.
The fans get to convergeon at the marriage center. It's free.
A lot of the students actually filled out the lower bowl.
I don't know how many. We're trying to confirm how
many people shut up, but there may have been like
(01:49):
eight thousand kids there and even adults fans, traditional fans
as well. What do you recall about these Blue White
games and how they've maybe transformed over the years.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Yeah, so I'll say this my first blue and White game,
I had a chance to just go and like I
had so much built frustration because I'm like, I'm new here,
like I was a big deal in high school and
everybody's streaming me like a punk freshman and I'm gonna
lit this mother effort up.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
And I did it, and you know, like my freshman year.
We actually lost for about a.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Couple of points, but it was I had so much
build frustration because I'm like I'm being punked, I'm being disrespected.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
And now I know that, you know, like I you.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Know, I'm just a freshman on the block, and you know,
like it's great you chose to come here, and I'm like,
where is all of the red carpet when I came
on my visit that's completely went out of the window.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
And so I had a hard time.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
And I remember ended that game, I went and did
a run and then Dave Rice comes.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
In, He's like, why are you playing great?
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Why are you doing I'm like, I'm never gonna lose
a Blue and White scrimmage again. I don't care what
I'm I don't care who's on the other team. Stack
up and see what happens.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
And my sophomore year I shot the lights out.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
My junior year beat the living crap out of the
other team, and my senior year much of the same.
And uh, but it was it was a game that
it was a live game that were rafts and we
were going, going, going, and it was it was a
great time, man. You know, the you know, there's a
different vibe to when I and I'll never forget this, right,
(03:27):
Mike Crows, you're telling me this when the popcorn is
popping and all of the actual lights are on and
the gates open and fans are going and the music
is live.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
It's a different, right.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
And you know, and you talk about someone that Micro's
his first first game as a freshman, he dropped twenty
eight and made.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
You know, six seven threes.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
And so the Blue and Whites scrimmage is special fun
to see BYU play the way they did.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
Obviously they had some you know festivities.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Right, you know, Ron, you and me and uh and
b Ham talked about this, you know, last week and
uh and.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
So, but it was great.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Man, you got to see a j How good is
a j and my goodness, gracious, Uh, you know, Ritchie
Saunder is actually gonna just be a catch and shoot
guy for a lot of possessions this year and God
bless opposing defenses on how they're going to guard all
of that. It was cool to see Kadeem explode the
way that he did, you know, and and and and
(04:29):
have the impact that he does. And you know, we've
talked about this a lot then you know, break down
with a lot of different games and a different you know,
a lot of different scrimmages. But I'm excited to talk
about you know, some of the individuals today.
Speaker 4 (04:40):
You know, it'll be it was a fun event.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Yeah, from a personnel standpoint, what stood out to you
about the talent the clay that Ky and his staff
is working with. What did we learn about this basketball
team last night?
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Well, so there was a few players that sat down
right because of just precautionary things. But it was interesting
to see, uh, you know, Keba and Xavion kind of
go at it a little bit, two different styles of
play for our you know, our big men or five men.
It was interesting to see you know, kadem play, you know,
and guard a J the way he did and kind
(05:16):
of you know, have some of that that that bump
and be real, right, but it was so exciting to see.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
And then the way a J played and how smooth
a J play. You know, I'm I'm a firm believer.
I'm gonna disagree with John Rothstein.
Speaker 6 (05:30):
The number one thing that you I need to figure
out is how Robert, Robert Wright and.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
A J and Ritchie are going to mash together. Right.
I think the supporting cast is gonna be there's gonna
be more than fine.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
I mean, you know, guys, we always talk about you know,
basketball is a physical sport, you know, and and and
Kadeem and Canard Xavion.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
You didn't tires I was, you know, I was.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
I was, you know, in prepressed the way Tyler play
and you know, but it's a physical, specimen sport. And
you know, the highlight gunk and I think they actually
had this on a on a on ax and on Instagram.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
But the fast break dunk.
Speaker 5 (06:14):
That they just dropped the ball in the bucket and
just walk away.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
I mean that could have been a Tomahawk that could
have been a win nel.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
You know, BUYU Basketball has a roster that, to me
reminds me of a Auburn, a Tennessee, an Alabama, you
know from five ten years ago. You know, like a
roster that BUYU Basketball has never put together.
Speaker 6 (06:36):
I don't care who you are, and I love and
I'm I'm Jimmer's number one supporter in this world.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
And I you know, BUYU has an you know, you
look about Travis Hanson. B YU has about four Travis
Hanson right now.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Think about that.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
You know, b YU has about you know two or
three players that are like the only child's and they're
not even the main players on the team. Now, why
am I saying this is because of how specially and
unique this upcoming season is going to be and so
personal and wise.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
I think it was great.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
It was great to see Richie shoot the ball the
way he shot the ball, a j getting to his
sweet spots, getting buckets, and you know it is something
special that none of us. And look me and and
mister Weaver right here, we taxed back and forth about
the stupidest things all the time. There is no one
that is ready for the massive explosions of attention that
(07:28):
U I was about to get and and and yesterday
you know, uh, during the scrimmage, excuse me, yesterday night
it was just a.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
Blip of what that's going to be.
Speaker 7 (07:38):
And we can speak to this because you know b
Ham and JT we were down there live and overtime.
Eleague guy was right there on this on on the
baseline with us.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
You had T T T N T. It's Bleacher reports
people there.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
I'm like, this is a scrimmage and Sports illustrated much.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
So much national media, That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Imagine that what then when the actual upper Upper Bowl
is actually sold, which you know is also known as
whatever happens at the University of Utah and so, but
imagine like when all of that is happening and it's
a sold.
Speaker 5 (08:11):
Out game, like you know, yes, and then I'll tell
you this.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
I actually stole your your your your bit, so don't
go on the report.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
And said JAT is killing my lines and so but
but Ben, I stole what you said on an on
a different interview with a different network that I did.
And I think the Big twelve did drop the ball
on this right on only having a J versus there
in one time, but you know, to that extent, can
you imagine all of the other games when d YU
(08:43):
gets ranked and you know, Utah plays there and they
play against you know, a Texas stack to Arizona Arizona State.
Can you imagine when they play against Bryce James, Lebron's son,
and Lebron's going to be on the stands, can you?
I mean, like all of these things, you know, there's
all of these things to consider, you know, and the
amount of hype that is going to be surrounding aj
(09:05):
it would be surreal.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
And so you know, I mean, look at the publications
that you talked.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
About over time, Bleacher Report, UH, Sports Illustrated, right, Aaron
Torres with with Fox.
Speaker 5 (09:18):
You know it's it's a it's a fixture now and
so I'm lost to.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
Talk about about the way that the media is going
to play a big part of this season. This you
know of this by basketball season. I pray if you're a.
Speaker 7 (09:31):
Fan you at least to get you're able to watch
one game in person, because if you if you haven't
gotten tickets, good luck getting them.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
JT.
Speaker 7 (09:37):
I want to flip the scripts to the supporting cast.
Though I love the supporting cast. By the way, especially
what I saw yesterday, I am of the mindset, you know,
you got to take minutes from another person, you do.
But Alexi Costitch was the last one to get on campus.
But my gosh, can that do shoot the basketball? He's
gonna take somebody's minutes. I feel At first, I was like,
(09:59):
I don't know if he's gonna play. Then I watched
him and he's he's having to play point guard and
that's not his primary role.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
I'm like, no, he's gonna play this year.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
Like I think this is so so, so let's talk
about a let's say for a sec run because here's
the thing.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
Though, he did play a lot of guard in Europe.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
Yeah, yeah, was was Was he the primary ball handler?
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Not necessarily, but it is something that it is part
of his DNA, And so I think will he should
we expect him to be something like Yegor. I don't
think that's going to be the case, right. I don't think,
you know, we should have been able to expect him
to be a yag or two point zero because that's
never gonna happen. Now, can we expect him to be a.
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Little bit more like Dallen Hall and you know Caden
seeing and distributing and all of that.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
I think that's a fair expectation. Can we expect him
to be.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
More aggressive and more scoring Mined? Absolutely and so and
I think that's what we're seeing with him, right. It
wouldn't surprise me to have lineups where him and Robert
or together in the inning game. Is that going to
happen a ton? Probably not, but I can see it happen, right,
And maybe I'm wrong, Maybe that happens a ton, right,
(11:10):
But you know, I think Robert right is expected to
play about thirty minutes a game, and so the next
ten minutes, Who's going to bring the ball up? And
I think I'm a mix between Alexe and even Baker
to some extent.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
I think we're going to be able to see that.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Jonathan Devinard, the Brazilian bomber former by you great, talking
some BYU Basketball here on your Utah ESPN Radio network.
AJ debonds obviously is going to be the headliner of
this team for a number of reasons, and the hype
surrounding him is tremendous. Do you feel like AJ is
going to be able to maybe live up and produce
to that hype. Right, It's one thing to be talented,
(11:50):
it's another thing to produce at that level that that
is ultimately expected by the media, by the fan bases,
by the national UH pundits as well.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
So I'm gonna ask, I'm gonna I'm gonna answer the
question after you just give me a quick yes or no.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
Has he lived up to the hype so far?
Speaker 3 (12:15):
I mean in what way?
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Though, Like, are you talking about in high schools?
Speaker 4 (12:20):
Everything he's done so far? Has he lived up to
the hype on everything he's been so far?
Speaker 2 (12:26):
I would say, I mean at Utah Prep, I mean
he's he's probably lived up to the hype. And even
internationally with the USA team. I was just about to
say that, right, So, like USA team, like he lived
up to the hype there. They're even there though, Like
there was a we've seen some like two four seven
(12:47):
and on three A j was the the uh you know,
irrefutable number one guy going into his senior year. And
then Darren Peterson kind of elevator, right, we heard about
you know, the other players that that that were boozer right,
was was pushing and and there's some really good players
(13:08):
out there, I think in the class, there's like five
five star perfect prospects that are alongside aj to Bonsa.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
So I think I think he has met those expectations.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
But now we're going into elevated play Big twelve play
college basketball. This is where it gets real, right, Like
it's one thing to go be the biggest, the strongest,
the fastest versus everybody else. Now it's going to be like, now,
how how refined is your skills set? You're not just
the You're you're still on the elite athlete. But there's
a lot of elite athletes here too.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Well so I So the reason why I I, you know,
I kind of flipped the script a little bit on
you is because he has been the absolute one percent
of the one percent everywhere he's been. And I'm grateful
that you mentioned USA basketball because he was heading shoulders,
you know, the best player there.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Maybe he could have been.
Speaker 4 (13:59):
You know, there was a little bit of a talk,
if you remember, being about the MVP.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Going to someone else because they had like a half.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Of a point in terms of their efficiency. Right, But
here's the truth of the matter. This kid has delivered
on every single stage he's been put and my goodness,
gracious you know, red Bull commercials, Nike commercials, you know,
the Hoop Summit, the McDonald's All American Game. He has
delivered time and time again. And here's why I personally
(14:28):
think that he will.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
He is now. Yes, he is the talk of the town.
He is the marquee player.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
But Richie Saunders is there, Robert Wright is there, and
so the pressure won't be solely solely on.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
On a J.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
And he has Kevin Young there, he has Will there, right,
he has an.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Array of people that can shield him.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
And what I mean shield is in a good way
to make sure that he is ready to play and
that the actual actations of being Matt and so, you know,
is AJ going to average twenty and ten?
Speaker 4 (15:05):
I doubt it. Is AJ going to average A fifteen
and seven. Most likely is a J.
Speaker 5 (15:12):
Going to ever a you know, eleven, twelve, thirteen and five.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
I said that to me, is where he's going to be.
I don't think he's going to be b Whyu's leading score.
I have a hard time believing that. I hope I'm
proved wrong and so.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
But I think he will believe he will deliver the hype.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
With dunks, with flair plays, with his overall play and
the way that he is getting set up for success.
Speaker 5 (15:36):
And you know, is he going to be the number
one pick in the draft? I?
Speaker 1 (15:39):
You know, I think there's a lot to to to
be the sided there because you know, if whatever team
gets him, you know, are they in need of a
winning game? You know, Like I think there's a lot
of fit as well. Nobody expected Jaygort to go number eight, right,
and so I is he going to live up to
the hype? I think you will, right. And I think
(16:01):
that as you know, as other talk had you know,
talk you know, talk show hosts have said expectations change
and evolve and and and you know, almost transform throughout
a season for players and teams. I think this is
going to be very much a case of that where
the way that he starts and how things evolve very
(16:23):
much will change throughout the year. So but I think
you will live up to every hype. You know, nobody's
expecting him to score thirty a game, and I think.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
That's that's that's the main one.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
And uh, but I think you very much will. I mean,
he has delivered at every stage been and he's yet
you know, he's yet again has delivered.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
With the hype, you know, for as much as he's
you know, for for as long as he has been
here as b YU so far.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
So the two questions that I had leading up to
the Blue White scrimmage or these, and I in my
conclusion even prior to seeing the team was that it
would be an affirmative in both cases.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
But I'll pose this you and you tell me what
your thoughts are.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
My question was, Okay, is this Beway basketball team going
to be an even better three point shooting team? More efficient,
even better shots, more spacing, you know, less contested three
point shots? And I'm like, I think so, yeah, it
looks like that way. And then the other one was like,
how much more effective? How much more efficient? How much
better will byub defensively? Can you put a number, any
(17:25):
sort of objective metric as to the percentage of projected percentage,
the forecasting percentage that you could see in improvement.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
On both of those? On both of those questions, I'm
going to be conservative. I'm gonna say they're going to
be twenty five percent better on defense, okay, and I
you know, I think it will be. It's difficult to
quantify that because of points and how many points they
allow the opponents that they play. But I think they
will be They'll be better defensively, that's for sure, because
(17:53):
the types of athletes that they're going to be playing,
right that they have to be able to field on
a court that that to me is one.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Will there be a better three point shooting team? Will they?
Speaker 5 (18:06):
Would they have a higher shooting percentage?
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Maybe I would like to see the metrics to something
that you just said, what percentage of shots they're going
to have that are going to be more.
Speaker 5 (18:16):
Wide open catching shoe three than before?
Speaker 1 (18:19):
And so I think that's a metric that if there's
some way, somehow to track, it would be fantastic. And
so because the spacing that AJ and Robert Ritchie is
going to create for the Mahi Lows and the Brody's
and the Tilers and so on, and the Baker's right,
(18:42):
I mean Baker at the end, it turn out to
be a solid catching shoe guy when he was wide open,
And so I think that that's going to be a
better metric to say, right, But again, right, do they
have a sniper like Trevinell, like Zach Salias.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
They don't.
Speaker 1 (18:58):
We would be fooling ourselves if we say they did.
And if you remember, Ben, I was always a very
loud supporter of Trevin. Now needs to start so he
can open the floor and space out the floor.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
And eventually he did.
Speaker 5 (19:14):
Right, the buy doesn't have a player like that yet.
Who's going to develop?
Speaker 4 (19:18):
Who's going to be that guy?
Speaker 5 (19:20):
And so you know, let's see, let's see what that happens.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
Love that Jonathan Tabinari, the Brazilian bomber JT for three.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
Always a pleasure. Love talking ball with you.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Any other comments as it relates to the spectacle that
was last night, the Blue White Scrims. Anything else that
stood out to you that you want to comment on.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Uh, you know, Cosmo continues to be the number one
mascot in a country. My goodness, gracious, you know, Ben,
you're pre athletic. I don't know if you could do
the stuff that Cosmo does even of your heyday.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
And so I would love to try.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
There was rumors that I was I was, you know,
clandestine in the clandestine fashion.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
I was using his Cosmo on occasion.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Yeah, so we can we can shut down those rumors
because that never happened.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Hey, the Green Man shut up though you were there.
The Green Men.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
I was there.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
I will neither confirm or deny that my friend Ben
Krittle is the Green Men. So but I you know,
I think I think the one thing that I will
say Ben, we are in for a treat. We don't
know how big of a treat, but it will be huge.
Speaker 4 (20:24):
Okay, it will be.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
You know, going to Duncan's, you know, toys for in
home alone. Too big a treat that they're gonna have.
And so it's gonna be a fun season and I'm
just grateful that we're all a wrong for along for
the ride.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Much love JC for three Jonathan, Appreciate you, buddy always
in Forever Go Koogs boomshocka LACA. That was a great
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We'll go to break, but don't go anywhere.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
It's a Friday edition of Cougar Sports, breaking down all
the news and notes, all the getting into, all the
nukes and crinies, all the minutia of Cougar Sports. Here
one of three nine ninety eight poin
Welcome back to this of marches right around the corner
and the Cougars are in the metal of it.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
It's time to talk some college basketball on Cougar Sports
with Ben Cribber. Welcome back Cougar Sports, one of the
green nin ninety eight point threspn the fan. I'm been
crudal broadcasting from our Vanderwilth Studios Vanderwealth dot Com. Get
on a free Q and A no obligation to invest
Q and A with our tax bar Wealth Advisors. Today,
I want to talk to some college basketball in this
segment with a former BYU Rate, a bucket getter for Brigham.
(00:27):
We're going to delve into the blue White scrimmage that
occurred last night Marriott Center. Madness occurred and it was glorious.
It was great, it was grand, it was wonderful. We're
going to break it all down. It's going to be
brought to you by Ortho Pros of Utah Orthoprosovutah dot com.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
What do we do at Orthropros.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
We distribute orthopedic and sports medicine supplies to keep you
on the field doing the things that you love, keep
you keeping you on the court, maybe keeping you on
that mountain, hiking it, biking it, razoring on that mountain.
Whatever it is that you love to do, horseback riding
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on and help you keep on keeping on with orthop
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insurance or you can utilize NHSA FSA car. All right,
(01:06):
let's get out to the hotline. Welcome in the former
BYU Rate the Brazilian Bamba, the bucket getter of Brigham
to break down some college basketball and BAU basketball.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
We got JT. Jonathan Tabernari on the line. J T
for three. What's up, buddy?
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Someone that only lost the Blue and White scrimmage ones
I might add a hey.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Man, you gotta keep tabs.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
You gotta keep records, wins and losses, even in these scrimmages.
So you know, these Blue White games are awesome. It's
the introduction to it's the tip off of the season.
The fans get to convergeon at the marriage center. It's free.
A lot of the students actually filled out the lower bowl.
I don't know how many. We're trying to confirm how
many people shut up, but there may have been like
(01:49):
eight thousand kids there and even adults fans, traditional fans
as well. What do you recall about these Blue White
games and how they've maybe transformed over the years.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Yeah, so I'll say this my first blue and White game,
I had a chance to just go and like I
had so much built frustration because I'm like, I'm new here,
like I was a big deal in high school and
everybody's streaming me like a punk freshman and I'm gonna
lit this mother effort up.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
And I did it, and you know, like my freshman year.
We actually lost for about a.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Couple of points, but it was I had so much
build frustration because I'm like I'm being punked, I'm being disrespected.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
And now I know that, you know, like I you.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Know, I'm just a freshman on the block, and you know,
like it's great you chose to come here, and I'm like,
where is all of the red carpet when I came
on my visit that's completely went out of the window.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
And so I had a hard time.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
And I remember ended that game, I went and did
a run and then Dave Rice comes.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
In, He's like, why are you playing great?
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Why are you doing I'm like, I'm never gonna lose
a Blue and White scrimmage again. I don't care what
I'm I don't care who's on the other team. Stack
up and see what happens.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
And my sophomore year I shot the lights out.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
My junior year beat the living crap out of the
other team, and my senior year much of the same.
And uh, but it was it was a game that
it was a live game that were rafts and we
were going, going, going, and it was it was a
great time, man. You know, the you know, there's a
different vibe to when I and I'll never forget this, right,
(03:27):
Mike Crows, you're telling me this when the popcorn is
popping and all of the actual lights are on and
the gates open and fans are going and the music
is live.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
It's a different, right.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
And you know, and you talk about someone that Micro's
his first first game as a freshman, he dropped twenty
eight and made.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
You know, six seven threes.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
And so the Blue and Whites scrimmage is special fun
to see BYU play the way they did.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
Obviously they had some you know festivities.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Right, you know, Ron, you and me and uh and
b Ham talked about this, you know, last week and
uh and.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
So, but it was great.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Man, you got to see a j How good is
a j and my goodness, gracious, Uh, you know, Ritchie
Saunder is actually gonna just be a catch and shoot
guy for a lot of possessions this year and God
bless opposing defenses on how they're going to guard all
of that. It was cool to see Kadeem explode the
way that he did, you know, and and and and
(04:29):
have the impact that he does. And you know, we've
talked about this a lot then you know, break down
with a lot of different games and a different you know,
a lot of different scrimmages. But I'm excited to talk
about you know, some of the individuals today.
Speaker 4 (04:40):
You know, it'll be it was a fun event.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Yeah, from a personnel standpoint, what stood out to you
about the talent the clay that Ky and his staff
is working with. What did we learn about this basketball
team last night?
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Well, so there was a few players that sat down
right because of just precautionary things. But it was interesting
to see, uh, you know, Keba and Xavion kind of
go at it a little bit, two different styles of
play for our you know, our big men or five men.
It was interesting to see you know, kadem play, you know,
and guard a J the way he did and kind
(05:16):
of you know, have some of that that that bump
and be real, right, but it was so exciting to see.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
And then the way a J played and how smooth
a J play. You know, I'm I'm a firm believer.
I'm gonna disagree with John Rothstein.
Speaker 6 (05:30):
The number one thing that you I need to figure
out is how Robert, Robert Wright and.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
A J and Ritchie are going to mash together. Right.
I think the supporting cast is gonna be there's gonna
be more than fine.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
I mean, you know, guys, we always talk about you know,
basketball is a physical sport, you know, and and and
Kadeem and Canard Xavion.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
You didn't tires I was, you know, I was.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
I was, you know, in prepressed the way Tyler play
and you know, but it's a physical, specimen sport. And
you know, the highlight gunk and I think they actually
had this on a on a on ax and on Instagram.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
But the fast break dunk.
Speaker 5 (06:14):
That they just dropped the ball in the bucket and
just walk away.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
I mean that could have been a Tomahawk that could
have been a win nel.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
You know, BUYU Basketball has a roster that, to me
reminds me of a Auburn, a Tennessee, an Alabama, you
know from five ten years ago. You know, like a
roster that BUYU Basketball has never put together.
Speaker 6 (06:36):
I don't care who you are, and I love and
I'm I'm Jimmer's number one supporter in this world.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
And I you know, BUYU has an you know, you
look about Travis Hanson. B YU has about four Travis
Hanson right now.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Think about that.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
You know, b YU has about you know two or
three players that are like the only child's and they're
not even the main players on the team. Now, why
am I saying this is because of how specially and
unique this upcoming season is going to be and so
personal and wise.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
I think it was great.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
It was great to see Richie shoot the ball the
way he shot the ball, a j getting to his
sweet spots, getting buckets, and you know it is something
special that none of us. And look me and and
mister Weaver right here, we taxed back and forth about
the stupidest things all the time. There is no one
that is ready for the massive explosions of attention that
(07:28):
U I was about to get and and and yesterday
you know, uh, during the scrimmage, excuse me, yesterday night
it was just a.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
Blip of what that's going to be.
Speaker 7 (07:38):
And we can speak to this because you know b
Ham and JT we were down there live and overtime.
Eleague guy was right there on this on on the
baseline with us.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
You had T T T N T. It's Bleacher reports
people there.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
I'm like, this is a scrimmage and Sports illustrated much.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
So much national media, That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Imagine that what then when the actual upper Upper Bowl
is actually sold, which you know is also known as
whatever happens at the University of Utah and so, but
imagine like when all of that is happening and it's
a sold.
Speaker 5 (08:11):
Out game, like you know, yes, and then I'll tell
you this.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
I actually stole your your your your bit, so don't
go on the report.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
And said JAT is killing my lines and so but
but Ben, I stole what you said on an on
a different interview with a different network that I did.
And I think the Big twelve did drop the ball
on this right on only having a J versus there
in one time, but you know, to that extent, can
you imagine all of the other games when d YU
(08:43):
gets ranked and you know, Utah plays there and they
play against you know, a Texas stack to Arizona Arizona State.
Can you imagine when they play against Bryce James, Lebron's son,
and Lebron's going to be on the stands, can you?
I mean, like all of these things, you know, there's
all of these things to consider, you know, and the
amount of hype that is going to be surrounding aj
(09:05):
it would be surreal.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
And so you know, I mean, look at the publications
that you talked.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
About over time, Bleacher Report, UH, Sports Illustrated, right, Aaron
Torres with with Fox.
Speaker 5 (09:18):
You know it's it's a it's a fixture now and
so I'm lost to.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
Talk about about the way that the media is going
to play a big part of this season. This you
know of this by basketball season. I pray if you're a.
Speaker 7 (09:31):
Fan you at least to get you're able to watch
one game in person, because if you if you haven't
gotten tickets, good luck getting them.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
JT.
Speaker 7 (09:37):
I want to flip the scripts to the supporting cast.
Though I love the supporting cast. By the way, especially
what I saw yesterday, I am of the mindset, you know,
you got to take minutes from another person, you do.
But Alexi Costitch was the last one to get on campus.
But my gosh, can that do shoot the basketball? He's
gonna take somebody's minutes. I feel At first, I was like,
(09:59):
I don't know if he's gonna play. Then I watched
him and he's he's having to play point guard and
that's not his primary role.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
I'm like, no, he's gonna play this year.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
Like I think this is so so, so let's talk
about a let's say for a sec run because here's
the thing.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
Though, he did play a lot of guard in Europe.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
Yeah, yeah, was was Was he the primary ball handler?
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Not necessarily, but it is something that it is part
of his DNA, And so I think will he should
we expect him to be something like Yegor. I don't
think that's going to be the case, right. I don't think,
you know, we should have been able to expect him
to be a yag or two point zero because that's
never gonna happen. Now, can we expect him to be a.
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Little bit more like Dallen Hall and you know Caden
seeing and distributing and all of that.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
I think that's a fair expectation. Can we expect him
to be.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
More aggressive and more scoring Mined? Absolutely and so and
I think that's what we're seeing with him, right. It
wouldn't surprise me to have lineups where him and Robert
or together in the inning game. Is that going to
happen a ton? Probably not, but I can see it happen, right,
And maybe I'm wrong, Maybe that happens a ton, right,
(11:10):
But you know, I think Robert right is expected to
play about thirty minutes a game, and so the next
ten minutes, Who's going to bring the ball up? And
I think I'm a mix between Alexe and even Baker
to some extent.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
I think we're going to be able to see that.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Jonathan Devinard, the Brazilian bomber former by you great, talking
some BYU Basketball here on your Utah ESPN Radio network.
AJ debonds obviously is going to be the headliner of
this team for a number of reasons, and the hype
surrounding him is tremendous. Do you feel like AJ is
going to be able to maybe live up and produce
to that hype. Right, It's one thing to be talented,
(11:50):
it's another thing to produce at that level that that
is ultimately expected by the media, by the fan bases,
by the national UH pundits as well.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
So I'm gonna ask, I'm gonna I'm gonna answer the
question after you just give me a quick yes or no.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
Has he lived up to the hype so far?
Speaker 3 (12:15):
I mean in what way?
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Though, Like, are you talking about in high schools?
Speaker 4 (12:20):
Everything he's done so far? Has he lived up to
the hype on everything he's been so far?
Speaker 2 (12:26):
I would say, I mean at Utah Prep, I mean
he's he's probably lived up to the hype. And even
internationally with the USA team. I was just about to
say that, right, So, like USA team, like he lived
up to the hype there. They're even there though, Like
there was a we've seen some like two four seven
(12:47):
and on three A j was the the uh you know,
irrefutable number one guy going into his senior year. And
then Darren Peterson kind of elevator, right, we heard about
you know, the other players that that that were boozer right,
was was pushing and and there's some really good players
(13:08):
out there, I think in the class, there's like five
five star perfect prospects that are alongside aj to Bonsa.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
So I think I think he has met those expectations.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
But now we're going into elevated play Big twelve play
college basketball. This is where it gets real, right, Like
it's one thing to go be the biggest, the strongest,
the fastest versus everybody else. Now it's going to be like, now,
how how refined is your skills set? You're not just
the You're you're still on the elite athlete. But there's
a lot of elite athletes here too.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Well so I So the reason why I I, you know,
I kind of flipped the script a little bit on
you is because he has been the absolute one percent
of the one percent everywhere he's been. And I'm grateful
that you mentioned USA basketball because he was heading shoulders,
you know, the best player there.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Maybe he could have been.
Speaker 4 (13:59):
You know, there was a little bit of a talk,
if you remember, being about the MVP.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Going to someone else because they had like a half.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Of a point in terms of their efficiency. Right, But
here's the truth of the matter. This kid has delivered
on every single stage he's been put and my goodness,
gracious you know, red Bull commercials, Nike commercials, you know,
the Hoop Summit, the McDonald's All American Game. He has
delivered time and time again. And here's why I personally
(14:28):
think that he will.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
He is now. Yes, he is the talk of the town.
He is the marquee player.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
But Richie Saunders is there, Robert Wright is there, and
so the pressure won't be solely solely on.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
On a J.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
And he has Kevin Young there, he has Will there, right,
he has an.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Array of people that can shield him.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
And what I mean shield is in a good way
to make sure that he is ready to play and
that the actual actations of being Matt and so, you know,
is AJ going to average twenty and ten?
Speaker 4 (15:05):
I doubt it. Is AJ going to average A fifteen
and seven. Most likely is a J.
Speaker 5 (15:12):
Going to ever a you know, eleven, twelve, thirteen and five.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
I said that to me, is where he's going to be.
I don't think he's going to be b Whyu's leading score.
I have a hard time believing that. I hope I'm
proved wrong and so.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
But I think he will believe he will deliver the hype.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
With dunks, with flair plays, with his overall play and
the way that he is getting set up for success.
Speaker 5 (15:36):
And you know, is he going to be the number
one pick in the draft? I?
Speaker 1 (15:39):
You know, I think there's a lot to to to
be the sided there because you know, if whatever team
gets him, you know, are they in need of a
winning game? You know, Like I think there's a lot
of fit as well. Nobody expected Jaygort to go number eight, right,
and so I is he going to live up to
the hype? I think you will, right. And I think
(16:01):
that as you know, as other talk had you know,
talk you know, talk show hosts have said expectations change
and evolve and and and you know, almost transform throughout
a season for players and teams. I think this is
going to be very much a case of that where
the way that he starts and how things evolve very
(16:23):
much will change throughout the year. So but I think
you will live up to every hype. You know, nobody's
expecting him to score thirty a game, and I think.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
That's that's that's the main one.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
And uh, but I think you very much will. I mean,
he has delivered at every stage been and he's yet
you know, he's yet again has delivered.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
With the hype, you know, for as much as he's
you know, for for as long as he has been
here as b YU so far.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
So the two questions that I had leading up to
the Blue White scrimmage or these, and I in my
conclusion even prior to seeing the team was that it
would be an affirmative in both cases.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
But I'll pose this you and you tell me what
your thoughts are.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
My question was, Okay, is this Beway basketball team going
to be an even better three point shooting team? More efficient,
even better shots, more spacing, you know, less contested three
point shots? And I'm like, I think so, yeah, it
looks like that way. And then the other one was like,
how much more effective? How much more efficient? How much
better will byub defensively? Can you put a number, any
(17:25):
sort of objective metric as to the percentage of projected percentage,
the forecasting percentage that you could see in improvement.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
On both of those? On both of those questions, I'm
going to be conservative. I'm gonna say they're going to
be twenty five percent better on defense, okay, and I
you know, I think it will be. It's difficult to
quantify that because of points and how many points they
allow the opponents that they play. But I think they
will be They'll be better defensively, that's for sure, because
(17:53):
the types of athletes that they're going to be playing,
right that they have to be able to field on
a court that that to me is one.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Will there be a better three point shooting team? Will they?
Speaker 5 (18:06):
Would they have a higher shooting percentage?
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Maybe I would like to see the metrics to something
that you just said, what percentage of shots they're going
to have that are going to be more.
Speaker 5 (18:16):
Wide open catching shoe three than before?
Speaker 1 (18:19):
And so I think that's a metric that if there's
some way, somehow to track, it would be fantastic. And
so because the spacing that AJ and Robert Ritchie is
going to create for the Mahi Lows and the Brody's
and the Tilers and so on, and the Baker's right,
(18:42):
I mean Baker at the end, it turn out to
be a solid catching shoe guy when he was wide open,
And so I think that that's going to be a
better metric to say, right, But again, right, do they
have a sniper like Trevinell, like Zach Salias.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
They don't.
Speaker 1 (18:58):
We would be fooling ourselves if we say they did.
And if you remember, Ben, I was always a very
loud supporter of Trevin. Now needs to start so he
can open the floor and space out the floor.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
And eventually he did.
Speaker 5 (19:14):
Right, the buy doesn't have a player like that yet.
Who's going to develop?
Speaker 4 (19:18):
Who's going to be that guy?
Speaker 5 (19:20):
And so you know, let's see, let's see what that happens.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
Love that Jonathan Tabinari, the Brazilian bomber JT for three.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
Always a pleasure. Love talking ball with you.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Any other comments as it relates to the spectacle that
was last night, the Blue White Scrims. Anything else that
stood out to you that you want to comment on.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Uh, you know, Cosmo continues to be the number one
mascot in a country. My goodness, gracious, you know, Ben,
you're pre athletic. I don't know if you could do
the stuff that Cosmo does even of your heyday.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
And so I would love to try.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
There was rumors that I was I was, you know,
clandestine in the clandestine fashion.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
I was using his Cosmo on occasion.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Yeah, so we can we can shut down those rumors
because that never happened.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Hey, the Green Man shut up though you were there.
The Green Men.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
I was there.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
I will neither confirm or deny that my friend Ben
Krittle is the Green Men. So but I you know,
I think I think the one thing that I will
say Ben, we are in for a treat. We don't
know how big of a treat, but it will be huge.
Speaker 4 (20:24):
Okay, it will be.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
You know, going to Duncan's, you know, toys for in
home alone. Too big a treat that they're gonna have.
And so it's gonna be a fun season and I'm
just grateful that we're all a wrong for along for
the ride.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Much love JC for three Jonathan, Appreciate you, buddy always
in Forever Go Koogs boomshocka LACA. That was a great
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Speaker 3 (21:17):
We'll go to break, but don't go anywhere.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
It's a Friday edition of Cougar Sports, breaking down all
the news and notes, all the getting into, all the
nukes and crinies, all the minutia of Cougar Sports. Here
one of three nine ninety eight poin
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