Now that things have calmed down, how does this year’s lineup stack up against last season’s team that made it to the Big Dance?
By simply signing a player, did BYU improve its basketball team compared to the one that impressed the Big 12, ranked in the AP Top 25, and had a brief stint in the NCAA Tournament? If we gauge the answer by height, weight, and performance, the answer is likely yes.
The addition of Keba Keita, standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 231 pounds, is significant. It outweighs what the Cougars lost, which includes a 34-game starter (Spencer Johnson), the Big 12′s Sixth Man of the Year and a potential NBA draft pick (Jaxson Robinson), and Noah Waterman, who entered the transfer portal right before Sunday’s deadline.
Signing Keba Keita at 6-foot-8 and 231 pounds from the transfer portal is a significant addition. It outweighs what the Cougars lost, including a 34-game starter (Spencer Johnson), the Big 12′s Sixth Man of the Year and potential NBA draft pick (Jaxson Robinson), and Noah Waterman, who entered the transfer portal shortly before Sunday’s deadline.
How so?
BYU brings back numerous 3-point shooters, defenders, and ball handlers, and head coach Kevin Young has additional scholarships to fill. However, Keita introduces a new dimension that the 2023-24 team lacked and greatly needed — he excels as a rim runner. Despite having size, the Cougars lacked the specific type needed for occasions when their 3-pointers weren’t falling or when facing dominant opposing big men.
Aly Khalifa’s passing was exceptional, yet a knee injury restricted the 6-11 junior’s effectiveness in rebounding and defense. Fousseyni Traore played with great determination, but his 6-6 stature left him undersized. Noah Waterman was always up for a challenge, but his slender build at 6-11 made it tough for him to maintain position.
Keita transforms the situation completely. He possesses the size to protect the rim, the strength to maintain his position, and the explosiveness to impact games. Despite being a relatively new basketball player, Keita demonstrated glimpses of his potential last season at Utah, such as scoring 18 points and grabbing 15 rebounds against Oregon State, and scoring 18 points against Arizona.
During the matchup against the Cougars, Keita contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and a blocked shot in less than 14 minutes of play. He also forced Hall into a turnover, denying BYU the opportunity to take a potential game-winning shot in the closing seconds.
Following the departure of two assistants from Utah’s coaching staff, including Chris Burgess who joined Young at BYU, Keita entered the transfer portal right before it closed. He received numerous offers, up to 25 in total, with some promising substantial NIL opportunities that could elevate him to royalty status in his home country of Mali, where his parents Lassanat and Hawa support him from a distance.
Keita quickly opted for BYU after meeting with Young and Burgess. The graduate of Wasatch Academy, and friend of fellow countryman Traore, requested playing time and NBA-style development. The Cougars sought a player eager to excel near the basket and committed to strong defensive play.
Keita didn’t hesitate in selecting BYU, making his decision shortly after discussions with Young and Burgess. A graduate of Wasatch Academy and a friend of fellow countryman Traore, Keita emphasized his desire for playing time and NBA-style development. BYU sought a player who is hungry to dominate near the basket and committed to strong defensive play.
Both parties are receiving what they desire — and require.
As of Monday, the revamped Cougars will be missing Johnson (10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds), Atiki Ally Atiki (4.0 points, 2.9 rebounds), Khalifa (5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists), Waterman (9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds), and probably Robinson (14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds).
BYU brings back Traore (10.9 points, 5.2 rebounds), Richie Saunders (9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds), Dallin Hall (9 points, 3.5 rebounds), Trevin Knell (10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds), and Trey Stewart (2.2 points, 1.8 rebounds).
Returning as well is shooting guard Dawson Baker, who was sidelined for nearly all but four games due to a foot injury. During his healthy tenure at UC Irvine in 2022-23, Baker started 35 games and maintained an average of 15.3 points. Following a second foot surgery, the dynamic shooter anticipates receiving clearance for full practice next month.
Based on statistics, the returning players outrebounded those who departed by 113, but the departing players collectively scored 64 more points. The starting lineup most frequently used included Johnson, Khalifa, Hall, Waterman, and Knell. BYU faces the challenge of replacing Johnson, Khalifa, and Waterman, who together averaged 25.5 points and 14.3 rebounds per game.
Solution: Substituting Saunders for Johnson, Keita for Khalifa, and Baker for Waterman.
Robinson, Traore, and Saunders were responsible for the majority of BYU’s bench contributions. Robinson’s performance earned him recognition as the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. Together, these three players averaged 34.7 points per game.
As a solution, excluding anticipated additions, BYU can rely on Traore, Stewart, and highly-regarded freshman Brody Kozlowski coming off the bench. Surpassing the productivity of last year’s bench unit might be challenging, but an enhanced starting lineup could help alleviate the pressure.
Making a comeback
Before the coaching transition at BYU, the Cougars were ranked as high as No. 14 in the overly early preseason basketball rankings. Then adversity struck: Mark Pope departed for Kentucky, Robinson declared for the NBA draft, Hall, Saunders, and Waterman (as of Monday) entered the transfer portal, and highly sought-after recruit Collin Chandler decommitted while still on his church mission.
Unfazed, the Cougars acted swiftly by bringing Young over from the NBA. Hall and Saunders withdrew their names from the transfer portal. Four-star recruit Kozlowski, who had previously decommitted from USC, committed to BYU, and shortly after, the Cougars made a significant move by signing Keita.
While Robinson hasn’t ruled out a return to Provo, potentially delaying his NBA plans for another year, Young has already assembled a core roster that appears stronger than the one he inherited just a month ago.
Keita is not the only impactful big man on the way; he is the first and most significant addition. His presence alone positions the Cougars as contenders for another trip to the Big Dance and potentially a deeper postseason run.
