# Are the BYU Cougars DESTINED to DOMINATE the Big 12 This Season? One Expert Believe They Are Capable | Kevin Young Makes More BYU Hoops History | Lee Cummard Flexing Recruiting Prowess

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433/are-the-byu-cougars-destined-to-dominate-the-big-12-this-season-one-expert-believe-they-are-capable-kevin-young-makes-more-byu-hoops-history-lee-cummard-flexing-recruiting-prowess
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433/are-the-byu-cougars-destined-to-dominate-the-big-12-this-season-one-expert-believe-they-are-capable-kevin-young-makes-more-byu-hoops-history-lee-cummard-flexing-recruiting-prowess.md
Podcast: [Locked On Cougars - Daily Podcast On BYU Cougars Football & Basketball](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433)
Published: 2026-05-13T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-cougars/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/63a296/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/df3adc55-2f40-437c-852e-1d8b8122e2c6/episodes/2f826525-456e-44d2-9ac0-7b9ef6ad8659/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=df3adc55-2f40-437c-852e-1d8b8122e2c6&awEpisodeId=2f826525-456e-44d2-9ac0-7b9ef6ad8659&feed=DzohBBeS
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433/episodes/are-the-byu-cougars-destined-to-dominate-the-big-12-this-season-one-expert-believe-they-are-capable-kevin-young-makes-more-byu-hoops-history-lee-cummard-flexing-recruiting-prowess
Duration seconds: 1638

## Resource

The BYU Cougars defy long-standing media skepticism as Jon Wilner—once known for downgrading BYU—now ranks them atop his Big 12 power rankings, signaling a seismic shift in expectations for Kalani Sitake’s program. With veteran leadership from quarterback Bear Bachmeier, explosive running back LJ Martin, and a proven offensive line, BYU is positioned as the most complete team in the conference, even accounting for key departures like defensive coordinator Jay Hill. Jake Hatch explores how home-field advantage and a favorable schedule could propel BYU past conference rivals like Texas Tech and Houston, sparking discussion about a legitimate run at both the Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. Is this the year the Cougars finally break their glass ceiling and chase another national championship, echoing the storied 1984 season? Kevin Young raises the bar for BYU men’s basketball by potentially sending two players into the NBA draft for the first time in the modern era, a feat never before achieved in school history. AJ Dybantsa is projected as a top-two pick, likely landing with the Utah Jazz or going number one overall to the Washington Wizards, while Richie Saunders, undeterred by an ACL tear, garners strong second-round interest. Young’s recruiting acumen is on full display, with Bruce Branch III slotted as a potential number one pick for the 2027 draft and momentum building for future NBA-caliber rosters. Can Young transform BYU into a true NBA pipeline and sustain this remarkable talent surge? On the women’s basketball front, Lee Kumard flexes his recruiting muscle by landing Australian blue chip Praysayus Notoa, who chose BYU over the likes of UCLA and TCU. Natoa’s two-way skill set and international experience promise to boost BYU after l…

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