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Marriott Madness fires up BYU fans for the upcoming basketball season

marriott madness,womens sports,byu women's basketball,byu men's basketball,Featured - Sports

Zachary Halliday

October 07, 09:12 AM October 07, 09:21 AM

Thousands of fans gathered in the Marriott Center Tuesday night as BYU kicked off its mens and womens basketball seasons with the annual Marriott Madness event.

Both teams made their first appearances in BYU jerseys to cheers from students, staff and other fans, accompanied by music and an energetic atmosphere. Almost every seat in the arena was filled.

We are so excited to see this place filled up, mens basketball coach Kevin Young said. Its getting me excited for basketball season. Unless youve actually experienced a game in this place, its hard to describe the atmosphere in the Marriott Center. Theres absolutely nothing like it.

ROC students lined up well before the Marriott Center opened its doors at 6:30 p.m. By the time the general public entered at 7 p.m., the arena was filled with students wearing white basketball jerseys and a DJ energizing the crowd from the court.

The night began with appearances by the Cougarettes and the dunk team before the womens basketball team took the court, throwing T-shirts to the crowd.

The team returns more than 70% of its scoring from last season, when it won 26 games and finished as the runner-up in the Womens Basketball Invitation Tournament.

Coach Lee Cummard explained what BYU fans can expect from the team this season.

We play fast, we shoot the three and we make it physical for the other team, Cummard said.

Cummard also teased his Halloween costume and threw a T-shirt into the crowd with his phone number on it, promising a pair of Kobe Bryant shoes to the fan who caught it.

The mens basketball team then took center court, with guard Robert Wright III and forward Jaxon Kohler revealing their favorite memes.

The night also featured several games and competitions, including a shooting contest between two teams of mens and womens basketball players and a game of charades.

Young spoke to the crowd about the potential of both teams this season and expressed his appreciation for the ROC.

I want you guys to know how important you are to our home-court advantage and how hard it is for teams to come into this building, Young said. Lets continue that tradition.

After the traditional turbulence cheer with Cosmo and his drum, an emcee closed out the event by inviting students to the after-party outside the Marriott Center, where they could participate in giveaways and listen to music.

Mens basketball forward Tyler Betsey, a transfer from Syracuse, expressed his excitement about playing in the Marriott Center as a Cougar.

It was crazy, Betsey said. Ive played in this building, so I had an idea of what the ROC student section was like, but its a little different when theyre rooting for you. Its definitely a crazy experience.

Womens basketball guard Kailey Woolston, who returned from a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in December 2025, added her perspective on the environment.

I experienced it a few years ago, but every time you come back, its very shocking how electric it is in here, Woolston said. Its awesome.

BYU mens basketball opens the season with an exhibition against Nebraska on Oct. 16 at the Marriott Center, while the womens team will face Western Colorado in an exhibition on Oct. 27 in Provo.