Locked On Cougars - Daily Podcast On BYU Cougars Football & Basketball

AJ Dybantsa silences critics with a 40-point outburst, propelling the BYU Cougars to a commanding win over Kansas State and sparking debate about the true Big 12 Player of the Year. Is Dybantsa undeniably the conference’s top talent, even as Jaden Bradley claims the award? Jake Hatch spotlights Dybantsa’s efficiency—shooting 15 of 21 from the field, tallying 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and a +25 plus-m...

The BYU Cougars are on the brink of redefining their season, riding the momentum from a major upset win over Texas Tech and eyeing a pivotal showdown with Kansas State in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament. Can Kevin Young’s squad capture the same “hair on fire” attitude, or will history repeat itself with another post-upset stumble? Jake Hatch spotlights the urgency around NCAA Tournament s...

The BYU Cougars go all-in as they snap a three-game skid, stunning Texas Tech with relentless energy and a full 40-minute performance. Was Saturday’s win proof that BYU basketball finally understands what it takes to compete at a championship level? Jake Hatch unpacks Rob Wright’s sensational 23-point second-half surge, the physical toll on BYU's depleted roster putting pressure on AJ Dybantsa, an...

On this edition of Locked On Cougars , host Jake Hatch breaks down one of the most electric nights in the history of the Marriott Center. After enduring a frustrating three-game skid that had many questioning their postseason ceiling, BYU Basketball answered the bell in a massive way, taking down the #10 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Senior Night. This wasn't just a win; it was a statement to the sele...

The BYU men's basketball program faces a pivotal senior night as Kevin Young’s squad seeks to end a three-game slide against nationally ranked Texas Tech. With the regular season finale looming at the Marriott Center, all eyes are on the BYU Cougars' seniors Richie Saunders, Keba Keita, Dawson Baker, Mihailo Boskovic, and Jared McGregor. Their leadership and energy could be the catalyst BYU desper...

Can the Big 12 survive the power play by the SEC and Big Ten, or is a seismic shift in college athletics imminent? The Big 12 Squad tackles the heated debate over conference realignment, the rumored addition of Louisville, and whether government intervention is the only hope to keep college football from becoming a two-league universe. The hosts dissect Josh Pate’s radical plan to restore conferen...

The BYU football program enters spring camp with sky-high expectations, anchored by what Jake Hatch calls the strongest quarterback-running back tandem in the Big 12: Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin. Can this duo finally break through for a College Football Playoff berth after two seasons knocking on the door? Despite LJ Martin rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, all eyes turn to Bachmeier’s h...

BYU men's basketball faces a breaking point as a blowout 90-68 loss to Cincinnati exposes deep roster flaws and defensive shortcomings. Can Head Coach Kevin Young turn the tide, or is BYU already bracing for a quick NCAA Tournament exit? Jake Hatch delivers a candid breakdown of the Cougars’ unraveling season, highlighting the failed transition from preseason Final Four aspirations to a team strug...

Welcome to a historic edition of Locked On Cougars , your daily home for all things BYU sports. Today, we are witnessing a fundamental shift in the landscape of college basketball, and it all centers around Provo, Utah. Host Jake Hatch breaks down the monumental news as five-star prospect Bruce Branch III officially committed to BYU live on NBA Today . This wasn’t just a typical recruiting win; th...

The BYU Cougars confront a critical turning point as they face Cincinnati Bearcats in their final regular-season road game. Can A.J. Dybantsa, Rob Wright, and the supporting cast respond to Kevin Young’s blunt challenge(s) and reignite their season? With defensive lapses dominating recent losses to UCF and West Virginia, the team battles mounting skepticism about their postseason prospects. Is thi...

BYU men's basketball could be staring into the abyss after back-to-back losses, capped by a stumbling performance against West Virginia. Is “abandon all hope” the new reality for Kevin Young’s squad? Jake Hatch raises the pressing question: with defensive breakdowns, rebounding woes, and a .500 Big 12 Conference record, can BYU find a spark before the NCAA Tournament, or are fans bracing for a sea...

BYU men's basketball approaches a turning point, with their season's trajectory hanging in the balance after a humbling defeat to UCF. Jake Hatch sets the stage for a crucial road clash against West Virginia, framing it as a “put up or shut up” moment for Kevin Young and his roster. The impact of injuries—most notably to Richie Saunders—has forced players like AJ Dybantsa, Rob Wright III, Khadim M...

Nebraska and Oklahoma eye stunning Big 12 returns—could college football rivalries be revived? Drake Toll leads a high-energy debate on reshaping conference realignment, assessing the impact of regional matchups, recruiting battles, and which programs could restore the Big 12’s national prestige. Insightful takes from Jake Hatch and Cody Stovall spotlight Big 8 nostalgia, Missouri’s SEC regrets, a...

The BYU Cougars command the national conversation as surprise favorites in the Big 12, setting the stage for one of their most anticipated football seasons ever. Analysts—including Jon Wilner and Brad Crawford—aren’t just speculating; they’re naming BYU as legitimate contenders for the conference crown and potential newcomers to the College Football Playoff. With Kalani Sitake retaining his core r...

The BYU men’s basketball program faces a critical turning point after being outclassed by UCF, 97-84, in a game that exposed their defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent play. Jake Hatch doesn’t mince words, questioning whether the late-game rally was meaningful or simply “empty calories” as the BYU Cougars trailed by as many as 36 points in the loss. AJ Dybantsa’s 29-point performance stands...

The BYU Cougars brace for a pivotal showdown as the UCF Knights come to Provo, only days after AJ Dybantsa’s monster near triple-double and standout defensive effort lifted BYU to a season-defining upset over No. 6 Iowa State. With NCAA Tournament implications looming, all eyes are on whether BYU can overcome significant depth concerns, especially following Richie Saunders’ season-ending ACL injur...

The BYU Cougars capture national attention as AJ Dybantsa delivers a dazzling, near triple-double performance in the upset victory over Iowa State. Is Dybantsa poised to make BYU history and claim the Wooden Award, or will overlooked blue chip status keep him in the shadows? Jake Hatch breaks down Dybantsa’s transformation from co-star alongside Richie Saunders to BYU’s undisputed leader. With Sau...

A night to remember in Provo! On today’s episode of Locked On Cougars, host Jake Hatch breaks down one of the most significant wins in the Kevin Young era as #23 BYU basketball takes down #6 Iowa State at a rocking Marriott Center. This wasn't just a win; it was a signature statement that will resonate all the way to Selection Sunday. AJ Dybantsa: The Best Player in College Basketball? We start wi...

The BYU Cougars face a defining moment as they welcome the Iowa State Cyclones to the Marriott Center in a pivotal Big 12 basketball showdown. With Kevin Young’s program reeling from injuries—most notably to Richie Saunders—Jake Hatch spotlights how BYU’s resilience and home-court advantage could turn this perceived mismatch into a statement victory. Can the Cougars seize a signature Quad 1A win t...

Kansas State faces turmoil as the administration looks to avoid paying Jerome Tang’s $18.7 million buyout, sparking debate among Big 12 insiders about program integrity and leadership. Are contract loopholes undermining the conference’s coaching culture, and where does Kansas State now rank in the Big 12 basketball hierarchy? The Big 12 Squad tackles whether poor performance should justify firing...

The BYU men's basketball program fought through adversity as they challenged the Arizona Wildcats on the road, showcasing newfound grit and the transformative performance of star freshman AJ Dybantsa. Despite the season-ending loss of Richie Saunders, BYU proves they can still make noise in March, with Dybantsa breaking Danny Ainge’s freshman scoring record by dropping 35 points in Tucson. Can the...

The BYU Cougars’ fortunes take a dramatic turn as star shooter Richie Saunders is lost for the season, shaking up the lineup just before a high-stakes battle with Arizona Wildcats in Tucson. Will AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright—who have both shown they can go for 40 points in Big 12 play—find enough support from a thin BYU bench? Or will Arizona’s physicality and defensive mastery overwhelm BYU, even w...

BYU sports are reeling after a devastating 72-hour stretch that could define the future of Cougar athletics. Standout wide receiver Parker Kingston, fresh off a breakout season and poised to become a marquee face of the Big 12, has been dismissed from the football program following felony sexual assault charges. Can head coach Kalani Sitake steady the ship and maintain the team’s high ambitions as...

A weekend unlike any other in Provo. On today’s episode of Locked On Cougars, host Jake Hatch takes on the somber task of recapping an incredibly difficult 48 hours for the BYU community. From legal crises and dismissal to season-ending injuries and the loss of a matriarch, we cover the stories that have left Cougar Nation in shock. The Dismissal of Parker Kingston We begin with the most serious a...

The BYU football program faces another seismic shakeup as standout wide receiver Parker Kingston’s arrest on suspicion of rape threatens to sideline him for the upcoming season. With Chase Roberts heading to the NFL and Kingston now out of the mix, the Cougars lose nearly all of their top receiver production from last year. Returners like Jojo Phillips, Cody Hagen, and Tiger Bachmeier are expected...