Byu Cougars vs Cincinnati Bearcats Picks and Predictions January 25th 2025

BYU Hosts Cincinnati in Key Big 12 Matchup

The BYU Cougars, powered by junior standout Richie Saunders, welcome the Cincinnati Bearcats to Provo on Saturday night for a pivotal Big 12 clash. Both teams sit with identical overall records (12-6) but are looking to improve their conference standings in this competitive matchup.

BYU: Saunders Shining Bright

Richie Saunders has emerged as BYU’s most consistent and valuable player this season. Averaging 14.5 points per game on an efficient 52 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent from beyond the arc, Saunders has been the engine for the Cougars’ offense.

In BYU’s first true road win of the season, an 83-67 victory at Colorado on Tuesday, Saunders led the charge with 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting. His coach, Kevin Young, praised him for his quick release and ability to excel within the flow of the game.

“Richie’s been a stud for us all year,” Young said. “He’s very consistent and a tough guy to stop.”

BYU’s win over Colorado also saw significant contributions from Trevin Knell, who scored 14 points, and freshman Egor Demin, who dished out seven assists alongside eight points and four steals. Demin has shown flashes of brilliance and remains a key playmaker for the Cougars, even as the spotlight shines brightest on Saunders.

The Cougars’ ability to connect from beyond the arc (35.9 percent for the season) will likely play a major role against Cincinnati, especially after hitting 11 of 24 3-pointers against Colorado.

Cincinnati: Searching for Stability

The Bearcats enter Saturday’s contest looking to rebound from an 81-71 loss to Texas Tech. In that game, Cincinnati was undone by poor perimeter defense, allowing the Red Raiders to hit 12 3-pointers.

Cincinnati’s offense is led by Jizzle James, who scored 17 points against Texas Tech, and Simas Lukosius, who averages a team-high 12.2 points per game. However, Lukosius struggled mightily against Texas Tech, shooting just 1-for-7 from the field.

Coach Wes Miller emphasized the importance of limiting BYU’s 3-point shooting, citing similarities to Texas Tech’s style of play. “They can rain threes like Texas Tech can do,” Miller said. “You’ve got to get set in transition and not give them up on offensive rebounds.”

Rebounding is an area of concern for the Bearcats, as they were outrebounded 34-27 against the Red Raiders and gave up 10 offensive boards.

Key Matchups

1. Richie Saunders vs. Cincinnati’s Defense: Saunders’ ability to score efficiently and stretch the floor with his shooting will test Cincinnati’s perimeter defense, which struggled against Texas Tech.
2. BYU’s Perimeter Shooting vs. Cincinnati’s Closeouts: BYU’s success from 3-point range could be the deciding factor if Cincinnati fails to improve its defensive rotations.
3. Jizzle James vs. BYU’s Backcourt Defense: James has been Cincinnati’s most reliable scorer recently, and his ability to create offense will be pivotal in keeping the Bearcats competitive.

Stakes

For BYU, a win would bring its Big 12 record to an even 4-4, a solid position as the conference race heats up. For Cincinnati, snapping its recent struggles with a road victory would provide a much-needed confidence boost and momentum for the rest of conference play.

Conclusion

With Richie Saunders leading the charge and BYU finding its rhythm from beyond the arc, the Cougars hold a significant edge at home. However, Cincinnati has the talent to bounce back, especially if Jizzle James and Simas Lukosius can find their scoring touch. Expect an intense battle in Provo as both teams look to climb the Big 12 standings.