Too Little, Too Late AGAIN?!? #13 Cougars Fall to #14 Kansas Despite Richie Saunders' Career Night | What Needs to Change for Kevin Young & Company?
Podcast: Locked On Cougars - Daily Podcast On BYU Cougars Football & BasketballPublished On: Sun Feb 01 2026
Description: Can #13 BYU basketball find a way to start faster on the road? On today’s episode of Locked On Cougars, host Jake Hatch breaks down a polarizing 90-82 loss for the BYU Cougars against the #14 Kansas Jayhawks at the historic Allen Fieldhouse. While the final score suggests a competitive Big 12 battle, the story of this game was written in the first twenty minutes.The Richie Saunders LeapWe lead off with the massive silver lining from Saturday’s contest: Richie Saunders. The junior guard was a relentless force in Lawrence, setting a new career-high with 33 points. Saunders proved once again why he is the heart and soul of this BYU roster, keeping the Cougars within striking distance when the offense stalled. We analyze his scoring efficiency, his impact on the glass, and why his emergence as a primary scoring option is critical for BYU’s ceiling in March.The First Half DisasterHow did BYU fall behind by 20 points at halftime? We dive deep into the defensive lapses and shooting struggles that allowed Kansas to build a massive lead in the first half. From the Jayhawks' dominance in the paint to the Cougars' uncharacteristic turnovers, we look at the tactical breakdown that forced BYU to play uphill for the entire second half. Is this "slow start" trend a structural issue or simply the reality of playing in the toughest environment in college basketball?Still Searching for the "Signature Win"Despite the valiant second-half comeback attempt, BYU left Lawrence with another "close but no cigar" result. With the NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday fast approaching, the Cougars are still searching for that undeniable, resume-defining signature win. We look at the remaining Big 12 schedule and identify which upcoming Quad 1 opportunities are "must-wins" for Kevin Young’s squad to secure a high seed in the Big Dance.Big 12 Standings & Tournament ResumeWhere does this loss leave BYU in the Big 12 standings? We update the conference outlook and check the latest Bracketology updates. Does a 8-point road loss at Phog Allen Fieldhouse actually hurt BYU’s NET ranking, or does the competitive second half preserve their standing as a top-25 mainstay?Support Locked On Cougars:Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms and on YouTube!Join the NEW Locked On Cougars Everydayer Club by clicking here!If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclubJake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you will not find anywhere else.Support Us By Supporting Our Locked On Podcast Network Sponsors!Gametime - Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions applyMazda - This episode is brought to you by Mazda. We put that same drive into every detail. Wins define the moment. Putting in the work – That defines you. Stay tuned for highlights in this week’s “Moving the Game Forward.” There’s more to a Mazda, because there’s more to youFanDuel - Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. It's the last call for football on FanDuel. If you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you winFANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)Follow the Locked On Cougars podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date with the latest with regards to the podcast and BYU sports news. Please remember to subscribe, enable notifications, rate and review the show.If you are interested in advertising with Locked On Cougars or the Locked On Podcast Network, please email us at LockedOnBYU@gmail.com.Part of the Locked On Podcast Network – Your Team. Every Day. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. 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