When asked about his coaching mindset for BYU’s 'Big 3' on the offensive end, coach Kevin Young almost tongue-in-cheek put it simply: “Get space, get them the ball and shut up.”
That was about all they needed on Wednesday night’s 104-76 win over Arizona State.
AJ Dybantsa, Robert Wright III, and Richie Saunders almost single-handedly dismantled Arizona State, accounting for 81 of BYU’s points while shooting better than 63% from the field and knocking down 11 of its 19 combined attempts from beyond the arc.
Saunders led the charge, pouring in a career-high 31 points on just 13 shot attempts. He buried six threes and added eight rebounds.
Wright followed with 27 points and four assists of his own.
Dybantsa brought up the rear adding 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists — his fifth game this season with at least 20 points, five assists, and five rebounds.
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley came away just as impressed as everyone else.
“Any time you have three guys outscore our team, that’s gonna be a problem for us," he said.
Hurley singled out Saunders in particular, adding, “He’s not even being talked about because of all the hype. I think I voted for him for player of the year last year. I have a lot of respect for him as a player.”
At this point, BYU’s identity is clear. Like it or not, those three are the engine that makes everything go, and the Cougars’ ceiling will ultimately rise or fall with them.
For now, BYU improves to 14-1 on the season and 2-0 in conference play. A rivalry test awaits next, as the Cougars travel 36 miles north to the Huntsman Center on Saturday night to face Utah.
That said, if this level of production from the leading trio continues, it’s hard not to see wins continue to stack up.