With the 2024-25 BYU men's basketball team having one of the most successful campaigns of any in school history and the No. 1 ranked recruit, AJ Dybantsa, coming to Provo next season, fans are getting excited about the possibilities of next year's Cougars.
But with all the rumors of players returning, transfer portal whispers and recruits still yet to sign, success isn't guaranteed just yet.
There is one clear scenario that trumps the rest and will set the Cougars up for unprecedented success in the 2025-26 season.
1. Richie Saunders and Egor Demin return
While Richie Saunders seems way more likely to return than Egor Demin next season, getting BYU's two All-Big 12 members back next season has basketball lovers foaming at the mouth.
Saunders, who until this season was a hustle player off the bench, was BYU's undisputed MVP of the season and rose to national fame when he inked an NIL deal with Ore-Ida after word got out that his great-grandfather "invented the tater-tot."
He proved that he could play at the pro-level, whether that be overseas, G-League, or cracking an NBA roster. However, at 23 years old, not many NBA executives are lining out the door to select the Cougars' leading scorer.
But even with the age concerns, Saunders could realistically make an NBA roster next season.
"I could definitely see him on a two-way deal serving a specialty type role," Jace Derryberry, an NBA Draft analyst and scout for NBA Draft on SI, told the Daily Universe earlier in the season. "He's definitely got a chance."
In Saunders' NCAA Tournament games against Wisconsin and Alabama, he dropped 25 points in both games on incredibly high efficiency. He also snagged nine offensive rebounds between the two games. Impressive for only being 6-foot-5.
Demin, on the other hand, seems to have much more of a pull to enter the NBA Draft, as he will almost certainly be a lottery pick.
While Demin had his low points in Big 12 play, his size mixed with elite vision is very intriguing to NBA scouts. Plus, his three NCAA Tournament games may have saved him from sliding in the draft.
Demin averaged 13.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 5.7 apg in the Cougars' historic Sweet 16 run.
Where it gets interesting is Demin's reaction following BYU's loss to Alabama in the Sweet 16. Out of all players, Demin was the most visibly heartbroken, as he gave an emotional and teary-eyed postgame interview to the media. In it, Demin dropped some shocking soundbites.
"AJ is coming and he could be one of the reasons why I want to be back next year," Demin said. "for me it is super attractive to have a chance to play with him on the same team."
Give him one more year with coach Kevin Young and two elite-level scorers like Dybantsa and Saunders, and Demin's production could increase exponentially.
In a pre-NIL world, the decision for Demin would be easy. Go to the NBA. But now that Demin could potentially be making millions to stay in Provo for one more year with a chance to be on one of the best teams in the country, it is not so certain.
Saunders will also be making more next year in college than he would if he tried his luck in the pro game.
2. Get an All-Big 12 caliber player from the portal
Easier said than done, but adding one more top-level player would fill a lot of holes in one piece.
BYU is losing a lot of points from departing seniors Trevin Knell and Fousseyni Traore, and veteran guard Dallin Hall, who entered the transfer portal on Wednesday.
Getting just one more player with the ability to score 15 on any given night is vital, as it would help take the scoring load off of Dybantsa and Saunders.
The most enticing name from the portal that is tied to BYU is UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who averaged 17.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg and 4.2 apg on 52.2% shooting from the field and 35.7% shooting from deep.
A potential starting lineup of Demin, Saunders, Lendeborg, Dybantsa, and either Keba Keita or Xavion Staton, would be a serious contender for the best starting lineup in college basketball.
UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg is one of the top available players in the portal.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 1, 2025
The latest intel in his recruitment 👀 | Read (On3+): https://t.co/lUAO1SazOH pic.twitter.com/72WpvCPKTx
Even if BYU is not able to land Lendeborg specifically, there are still some great names out there that would be a nice fit for BYU.
Georgia guard Silas Demary and Arizona State forward Jayden Quiantance are two players that could average 10-plus on BYU's roster next year.
3. One more floor general
This becomes even more important if Demin does decide to enter the draft, but with Hall entering the portal it becomes almost a necessity.
BYU needs another point guard who can come in and run a offense. As great as super-senior Dawson Baker is, his best role is as a wildcard scorer. Not a playmaker.
Even if Demin comes back for a sophomore season, as of right now, BYU has no backup for the Russian phenom.
Maybe Young feels comfortable with Dybantsa as a point forward, but he would certainly rather have that as a luxury and not a necessity.
While Hall didn't have the most spectacular season last year, having a guard that could come in and be a calming presence for the team was a huge plus.
4. Replace perimeter defenders
BYU's unsung hero of last season was Rutgers transfer Mawot Mag. There was a clear shift in the team's performance when he replaced Kanon Catchings in the starting lineup in mid-January.
BYU went 17-5 with Mag as a starter, and his defensive ability was second to none on the team.
Trey Stewart also carved out a spot in the rotation in large part to his play on the defensive end.
Losing both Mag and Stewart is a big blow. Replacing them will be difficult, but will be essential if the Cougars don't want to get out to a slow start like they did last season.
A lineup of Demin, Saunders and Dybantsa will provide great length for the Cougars, but having a go-to defender would be a more than welcome addition.
Wildcard: Khadim Mboup
Khadim Mboup joined the squad last December as a mid-year enrollee, but will see the court for the first time this upcoming season.
The 6-foot-9 forward from Senegal is a product of the NBA Academy Africa and has incredible athletic talent.
He is a super raw player, but the athletic upside is definitely there. His offseason improvement is something to take a look at. Could he surprise people and become a part of the rotation?
What happens if all of these pan out?
The odds that every single one of these scenarios plays out are slim, but let's indulge in the hypotheticals for a brief moment.
If BYU somehow manages to bring back star players Richie Saunders and Egor Demin, signs an All-Big 12 caliber level player out of the portal, adds a backup floor general, and replaces its perimeter defenders, then look out blue bloods.
In this scenario, BYU could possibly be the preseason No. 1 team in the country. It would be one of the five favorites to win the NCAA championship and anything less than an Elite Eight would be seen as a failure.
But that's only if everything pans out.