Though most BYU basketball news this season has been about the Cougars’ highly-touted freshmen and top-rated recruit A.J. Dybantsa, veterans of the program made it clear that this team has more weapons than just the big names.
That depth will be key for the Cougars (8-2) as they wrap up their nonconference slate Thursday at home in Provo, Utah, against Florida A&M (3-6) and prepare for the Big 12 grind.
With BYU missing freshman phenom and leading scorer Egor Demin for the past two games with a knee contusion, Trevin Knell has helped pick up the slack.
Knell had his first career double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds in a 95-67 win over visiting Fresno State on Dec. 11 and followed that with a 15-point outing in a 68-49 home victory against Wyoming on Saturday.
“I think he’s going to make a shot whether he starts, comes off the bench or is at the playground,” BYU coach Kevin Young said. “I think he’s going to make shots. I have all the confidence, whatever role he’s in.
“He’s a guy who doesn’t complain a lot, he just does what we ask. It’s obviously good to see him when he’s in a rhythm, but I wouldn’t necessarily tie that to starting or not starting.”
Reserve Dawson Baker contributed 11 points, five rebounds and two assists in the victory against the Cowboys. After he missed most of last season with an injury, his presence could be quite beneficial against the Big 12, especially because Demin and fellow NBA prospect Kanon Catchings, also a freshman, are both inexperienced at this level.
It’s uncertain when Demin will return. After facing the Rattlers, the Cougars will have 10 days off before opening conference action at home against Arizona State on Dec. 31.
The Rattlers are coming of an 89-59 loss at Utah, about 50 miles north of BYU. Leading scorer Sterling Young (12.1 points per game), who scored a combined 42 points in the previous two games, was held to two points on 1-for-10 shooting from the floor.
In the loss to the Utes, Kaleb Washington led the Rattlers with 11 points, but committed seven of the team’s 18 turnovers. Utah scored 27 points off Florida A&M’s turnovers.
Florida A&M will have one more nonconference game — at Tarleton State on Dec. 29 — before beginning its SWAC slate at home on Jan. 4 vs. Bethune-Cookman.
