What BYU’s Rally vs. Clemson Really Tells Us
– By UTAH SPORTS INK Staff
If Cougar fans needed a reminder of how thin the margin can be against high-level competition, the first half against Clemson delivered it in bold print. What unfolded early was a preview of exactly what happens when BYU loses the rebounding battle, goes cold from the perimeter, and can’t find reliable production from the bench.
This time BYU survived it.
They survived it because AJ Dybantsa refused to lose, taking over the game offensively with the kind of assertiveness that only elite scorers possess. And they survived it because Keba Keita was a force, anchoring the defense, controlling the glass, and dominating the pick-and-roll. Those two single-handedly turned a disastrous start into a statement win.
But make no mistake—the slow starts are becoming a trend.
A Pattern Too Familiar
Like the BYU football team this season, the Cougars have developed a habit of easing into games instead of setting the tone early. There’s still time to correct it, but for a team with Final Four ambitions, the priorities are clear:
Set the tone defensively by being the aggressor, not the reactor.
Control the glass early to eliminate opponents’ second and third chances.
Find more offensive production from the bench.
The Bench Issue Is Real
The injury to Dawson Baker has loomed large. BYU has shooters on the roster capable of hitting spot-up threes, but that threat disappears whenever the starters hit a cold patch. Davis and Saunders won’t both struggle on the same night very often, but cold shooting stretches are inevitable—and someone from the second unit must be ready to come in and provide scoring.
Championship-caliber teams don’t require a deep bench, but they do require a dependable one.
The Good News? BYU Showed Its Heart
As concerning as the slow start was, the comeback was equally revealing. Overcoming a 22-point deficit against a physical ACC opponent requires toughness, defensive commitment, and belief. BYU elevated its intensity on the glass, tightened up defensively, and let AJ Dybantsa take over on the offensive end. That’s the blueprint of a team with a legitimately high ceiling.
But here’s the reality check: Arizona, Houston, and Iowa State are playing on a different tier from what Clemson showed. Those teams don’t often surrender 22-point leads.
The Bottom Line
BYU’s win over Clemson was both a warning and a promise. The warning: slow starts and streaky shooting will eventually catch up with them. The promise: when the Cougars play with intensity and when their stars play like stars, they’re capable of beating almost anyone.
If BYU can fix the slow starts, win the battle on the glass, and unlock consistent bench scoring, the blueprint to chase history is still fully intact.