PeoplesFrontOfProvo

[Ian Fitzsimmons @Ianfitzespn]

In response to the Brendan Sorsby ruling today I just had one coach reach out to me and posed this question. “What is going to stop schools from signing an NFL player that just got cut in camp? It’s against NCAA rules but local courts have proven they re-write the rule book now.”

[Nicole Auerbach @NicoleAuerbach]

The Sorsby ruling is truly disastrous. It will be appealed, of course, because one of the fundamental parts of watching a sporting event is believing that it’s as fair a competition as possible — and that no one directly involved has money riding on specific outcomes.

[Cougar Football Archive @BYUstatsMAN]

Tanner Mangum - 143.8
Bear Bachmeier - 133.5
Jake Heaps - 101.0

[Tyrann Mathieu @Mathieu_Era]

Can I return back to college football?
I only played 2 seasons, should have 2 more eligibility years left….

Can you find me a judge in Louisiana who can see to it that Honey Badger gets to finish his last 2 years of college football?
Who’s going to say no ?????

[Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger]

Big 12 ADs tell @YahooSports they’ve had “serious” talks on not playing Texas Tech. One SEC AD says there should be conversations about not playing Tech “in any sports.”

The Brendan Sorsby ruling has left an industry jarred.

“It’s total f***** bullshit.”
https://t.co/OjjQl7AlhW

[Church Ball: A BYU Hoops Pod @churchballpod]

Bruce Branch III highlights in the USA’s win against Brazil in the semifinals of the U18 Americup. 👀🔥

8 points (2/5 from 3 pt)
8 rebounds
2 assists
2 blocks

[Bill @Billgetzfroggy]

BYU superfan Bobby goes scorched earth on the University of Utah’s athletic department and its PE deal:

“Pretty soon, the Utah State athletic department is going to surpass them.”

I’m crine 😭✌🏼

(via @LockedOnCougars)

[Ben Criddle @CriddleBenjamin]

Who needs some byu gear?!

Come on out to our Pleasant Grove Warehouse sale!

[Royal Army @royalarmybrand]

🔥 50% OFF warehouse sale 🔥
Today only: 10am - 2pm
Hoodies, tees, polos, hats, short, q-zips
Location:
527 W State St #106 (rear entry)
Pleasant Grove, UT

[Caden Hoffman @coachcadenhoff]

As a college basketball enthusiast, Richie Saunders has been one of the more interesting players for me to study this draft cycle.

Age and injury concerns have understandably limited his draft buzz, but his production, efficiency, and NBA-ready skill set suggest he could outperform his draft slot. ⬇️

https://t.co/qjg4ic4hCD

[The BYU Flash @TheBYUFlash]

Looking at the comments, Isaac will take care of it

[Bachmeier_for_heisman @mvp30_curry]

They don’t know…

[BYU FOOTBALL @BYUfootball]

Cougar legend Dennis Pitta has been named to the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame ballot 🤙

[Greg Biggins @GregBiggins]

San Clemente (Calif.) ATH Jaxson Rex has cut his list of schools BYU and UCLA and will officially visit both before making a decision

"Both schools can develop me as a player and person so it's going to be a tough decision."

Intel: https://t.co/K2918StLYp

[The Most Handsome Man In The World @judee_moodee]

@coachcadenhoff I have Saunders 25th on my board! Probably would have him higher if not considering age/injury. Not many players in the class I can picture becoming a reliable rotation player quicker than Saunders

[Caden Hoffman @coachcadenhoff]

For the record, I am much more of a college basketball enthusiast than an NBA Draft expert. One thing that has stood out to me throughout this draft cycle, however, is how little Richie Saunders has been discussed relative to his production.

Obviously, age, injury concerns, and a lack of elite physical tools have all limited his draft buzz. Those concerns are fair. Still, Saunders was nothing short of one of the most productive and efficient scorers in college basketball last season.

Richie Saunders was one of only 10 Power Conference players last season to post a True Shooting Percentage of at least 63% while attempting 8.5 or more three-pointers per 40 minutes. Among that group, he ranked second in points per 40 minutes.

Additionally, Saunders was one of only two players in that same group to also post a Free Throw Attempt Rate of at least 35%, highlighting not only his perimeter shooting ability but also his effectiveness at generating rim pressure. He also finished an impressive 67% of his attempts at the rim.

The combination of high-volume shooting, elite efficiency, and consistent rim pressure provides a strong statistical foundation for his NBA projection.

Saunders projects as a prototypical floor-spacing possession finisher at the NBA level.

An overwhelming 90.5% of his field goal attempts last season came either at the rim or from beyond the three-point line, reflecting the type of shot profile NBA teams covet for his archetype. While Saunders was assisted on the majority of his made baskets, the numbers do not suggest a player who is completely dependent on others to create offense.

34.1% of his made two-point field goals were assisted (64th percentile) and 92.2% of his made three-pointers were assisted (65th percentile), reinforcing his projection as a high-level off-ball floor spacer.

Saunders also converted 44.1% of his corner three-point attempts, another indicator that his shooting should translate well to an NBA role.

Defense is unlikely to be Saunders' calling card at the next level, but there are indicators that suggest he can hold his own.

While steal percentage can sometimes be misleading, Saunders posted a strong 3.1% STL%, which, when paired with his reported +5-inch wingspan, points toward solid anticipation and the ability to disrupt passing lanes on the perimeter.

Additionally, his 0.93x Personal Foul Efficiency (90th percentile) is noteworthy. Saunders consistently avoided unnecessary fouls while remaining engaged defensively, a valuable trait for role players expected to stay on the floor.

When projecting Saunders' offensive role, players such as Cameron Johnson, AJ Green, Max Strus, and Will Richard come to mind.

This comparison is not necessarily about overall talent level, but rather the archetype: floor-spacing wings who thrive playing alongside higher-usage creators, make quick decisions, punish defensive mistakes, and provide offensive value without requiring heavy on-ball responsibility.

With Saunders on the floor, BYU was better in nearly every meaningful offensive category. Most notably the following listed below.

On/Off
ORTG: 125.3/114.3
TS%: 59.6%/56.9%
A:T Ratio: 1.39/1.06

The offensive improvements are significant, but what may be even more impressive is Saunders' ability to elevate the players around him.
There may be no better example than fellow BYU star and potential No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa. Dybantsa saw increases in TS%, 2P%, 3P%, and FTAr when sharing the floor with Saunders, illustrating the value of Saunders' spacing, gravity, and willingness to play within a complementary role.
Elite complementary players are difficult to find, and Saunders consistently demonstrated an ability to make life easier for those around him.

Saunders' floor-spacing ability is amplified by the speed of his release and his willingness to fire immediately off the catch.
His ability to quickly get into his shot forces defenses to close out aggressively, creating additional opportunities for him to attack off the bounce.
When defenders run him off the line, Saunders does an excellent job leveraging his shooting gravity to create straight-line drives to the rim. While he may not possess elite burst, he consistently capitalizes on defensive overreactions and attacks open space effectively.

As someone who primarily evaluates college basketball rather than NBA draft boards, Richie Saunders has been one of the more surprising cases of this draft cycle.
The concerns are understandable. He's older than the typical prospect, suffered a significant injury, and doesn't possess the type of elite physical tools that usually drive draft buzz.

At the same time, it's difficult to ignore what Saunders actually produced on the court.

He was one of the most efficient high-volume scorers in college basketball, combining elite shooting volume, strong rim finishing, and an ability to generate free throws at a level rarely seen from players who occupy a similar offensive role. His shot profile, floor-spacing ability, and offensive efficiency all align with the types of complementary wings that continue to carve out long NBA careers.

Saunders may never be a primary creator or a player offenses are built around, but the NBA has consistently found value in wings who can space the floor, attack closeouts, make quick decisions, and fit seamlessly alongside stars.

Whether he ultimately hears his name called in the late first round, second round, or enters the league through a two-way contract, Saunders feels like the type of prospect whose production and NBA-ready skill set could allow him to outperform his draft slot.

[Zachary @osuzack]

Fact: Oklahoma State is 0-18 in their last 18 games against Big 12 teams.

Fact: Oklahoma State is 6-2 in their last 8 games against SEC teams.

[Jonathan Wasserman @NBADraftWass]

Bruce Branch III an early standout for USA at U18s. Textbook wing tools, promising stroke, good off-ball activity and athleticism for play-finishing.

[Eric Weddle @weddlesbeard]

@BrooklynmWeddle (B Skee Booooooooooo) I love you! You made it B. You worked so hard for this moment. I am honored to be your Dad. I cant wait for you to spread your wings at BYU. Remember, I will always be here for you.