The Cougars took care of business in their regular-season finale at Pepperdine Saturday, earning the No. 2 seed in the WCC Tournament and the three-game bye that accompanies it. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney examine this team heading into postseason play and discuss what will be needed for it to make a run. They also address the Cougars’ mastery of the pick and roll and how BYU’s many offensive weapons create nightmares for opposing coaches. From there, the trio talks BYU basketball recruiting and looks ahead to spring football, which began Monday. What are the most interesting storylines to follow? That and more on this week’s episode.

Cougar Insiders

Why opponents must pick their poison when defending this BYU basketball team

In this edition of the Cougar Insiders podcast, Dick Harmon joins Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney in recapping the huge BYU upset over No. 2 Gonzaga last Saturday, and break down what bracketologists and matrix numbers mean for BYU’s NCAA Tournament hopes. The trio look at the standout memories of the win over the Zags, the setting, individual performances and what that win has done for the legacy of head coach Mark Pope. What might this game mean for recruits? They also set the stage for BYU football’s spring football. That and more on this week’s episode.

Revisiting BYU’s big upset win over No. 2 Gonzaga. What it means to the program moving forward

A big-time play at the end of the BYU-San Diego game Saturday preserved the Cougars’ six-game winning streak, and two days later BYU found itself in the AP Top 25 for the first time in nine years — checking in at No. 23. Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney break down last week’s road sweep and look ahead to this week’s games against Santa Clara (Thursday) and No. 2 Gonzaga (Saturday). Drew and Gurney discuss what will be needed for the Cougars to pull off an upset over the Zags. They also look ahead to BYU spring football, which BYU coaches say will include a “wide-open battle” at QB. That and more on this week’s episode.

Why the Cougars have a puncher’s chance against the Zags

BYU basketball coach Mark Pope called his team “dangerous” following last week’s victories over Portland and San Francisco. Whether the Cougars are or not, is there wisdom in underpromising and overdelivering? Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney also talk about Gavin Baxter’s return to the lineup (how big of lift will that be?), the strength of the WCC (is this more than a two-bid league?) and BYU football (why are the Cougars slipping when it comes to attracting the top local talent?) That and more on this week’s episode.

Would Mark Pope be wise to borrow page from Rick Majerus’ playbook?

It was a big weekend for BYU basketball guard TJ Haws — first taking the game-deciding shot against Saint Mary’s then welcoming his first child into the world. Needless to say, both deliveries were a success. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon and Jay Drew break down last week’s two BYU victories and discuss how the Cougars are trending in the right direction just past the midpoint of the WCC season. They also talk about former Utah running back Devonta’e Henry-Cole’s decision to trade in his red uniform for a blue one and how a pair of former Cougars — Andy Reid and Daniel Sorensen — earned Super Bowl rings on Sunday. That and more on this week’s episode.

Bracketology, ‘Super’ Cougars and how a former Ute running back could help the BYU football team

Last week was a puzzling one for the BYU basketball team, with an impressive victory at Pacific followed by a disappointing loss at San Francisco. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney look back at the Cougars’ split and debate how damaging the loss to the Dons was. They also talk about two other setbacks — games the Cougars were in position to win that slipped away — that could hurt the Cougars come NCAA tourney selection time. Other topics include BYU basketball commit Richie Saunders (the kid is special), Super Bowl participants Daniel Sorensen, Fred Warner and Andy Reid, and how the Cougars are faring heading into next week’s national signing day. That and more on this week’s episode. 

Three losses that could come back to haunt BYU basketball team

Key lessons were learned in BYU’s loss at No. 1 Gonzaga, but how will the Cougars fare during a five-game stretch in which they should be favored in each contest? In this edition of the Cougar Insiders podcast, Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney discuss those topics as well as the possible return of injured Yoeli Childs. They also talk basketball and football recruiting and break down BYU’s connections in the upcoming Super Bowl.

What was learned about Cougars vs. No. 1-ranked Gonzaga

After missing the first nine games of the BYU basketball season due to an NCAA rules infraction, Yoeli Childs was back in street clothes on the BYU bench last week, this time due to a dislocated finger. Despite his absence, the Cougars fought hard at Saint Mary’s before losing in overtime, then made quick work of Portland on Saturday at the Marriott Center. Childs’ status for this week’s games against San Diego (Thursday) and at No. 1 Gonzaga (Saturday) is unknown, but beating the Zags sans Childs would be a tall order. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Jay Drew look ahead to this week’s matchups and what to expect. They also talk BYU football (recruiting) and the high level of trust between BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe and Utah AD Mark Harlan. That and more on this week’s episode.

Yoeli Childs’ hard-luck year continues

The BYU basketball team, which endured its share of adversity during the offseason, is off to a surprising 12-4 start and is gaining traction as a possible NCAA tourney team — maybe one, should things go right, that could even make some noise. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney discuss the upstart Cougars and the “character” factor that first-year coach Mark Pope has instilled. They also look back at the first decade of independence for the BYU football team (the good and the bad), the BYU men’s volleyball team (could this squad vie for a national title?), and Taysom Hill’s wild ride in New Orleans. That and more on this week’s episode. 

BYU basketball, independence and Taysom Hill’s wild ride

How important is the outcome of the Sofi Hawaii Bowl to BYU coach Kalani Sitake, his staff and the Cougar players? According to BYU Insiders Jay Drew and Dick Harmon, very important. This will be a business trip, not a vacation, to be sure — especially in the aftermath of the Cougars’ disappointing season-ending loss to San Diego State. So where are the key matchups and how critical will the play of quarterback Zach Wilson be? What could be the X-factor? One thing both Harmon and Drew feel could be a factor is special teams play; it often is in close games. Find out how the Insiders see this game playing out and what the most interesting storylines will be on this special Hawaii Bowl Cougar Insiders podcast.

Why BYU’s trip to paradise will be all business

BYU Insiders Dick Harmon and Jay Drew take a look at the upcoming early signing period, which begins Wednesday and runs through Friday. How is the BYU football team positioned, and who are some of the prizes still out there for the taking? They also talk about the big decision awaiting tight end Matt Bushman. Will he stay (in Provo) or will he go (to the NFL)? Lastly, they talk BYU basketball, which is coming off a nice win over Utah State in the Beehive Classic. What kind of dividends might that victory yield come March? That and more on this week’s episode.

Early signing period rumblings, Matt Bushman’s big decision and a quality basketball victory over Utah State

Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney look ahead to BYU’s bowl game against Hawaii, the challenges the Rainbow Warriors present, and, more importantly, the sense of urgency the team feels. They discuss the success Kalani Sitake’s team enjoyed at the quarterback position this year, where the next men up — Jaren Hall and Baylor Romney — came through in flying colors after starter Zach Wilson was sidelined with a thumb injury. They also talk BYU basketball, a team that has exceeded expectations despite its setback to Utah, and recruiting as the early signing period nears. That and more on this week’s episode.

Why BYU feels such a sense of urgency as it prepares for the Hawaii Bowl

After a pair of simple victories for the BYU Cougars, things will get more complicated Saturday at San Diego State. The Aztecs’ defense is formidable (maybe second only to the Utes’ defense on BYU’s schedule) and will provide a good measuring stick. Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney weigh in on the matchup and debate what is needed for the Cougars’ season to be considered a success. They also talk BYU basketball (the Cougars are in Hawaii this week at the prestigious Maui Invitational), BYU women’s soccer (it plays Stanford Friday in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tourney), and cross-country (the men won an NCAA championship last weekend while the women placed second). That and more on this week’s episode. 

Would one more win signal successful season for the Cougars?

After T-shirts spotted Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium hinted it was in the offing, BYU made it official Monday morning: Cougars football coach Kalani Sitake is getting a contract extension, one that will extend his stay in Provo through the 2023 season. Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney discuss why the extension made sense and why the timing of the news is so important. They also look back at the Cougars’ win over Idaho State (it wasn’t as flawless as the 42-10 score might indicate) and ahead to this week’s tilt at lowly UMass. They also revisit the men’s basketball team’s thrilling win at Houston last week. That and more on this week’s episode. 

Why extending Kalani Sitake’s contract was so important for BYU football — especially right now

The BYU Cougars made it three in a row Saturday against fellow independent Liberty at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Even though the victory may have lacked the “wow” factor, BYU got the job done. Now, with games against Idaho State, UMass and San Diego State remaining, Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney take a look at the home stretch. Will Zach Wilson be back in the lineup Saturday? They also discuss the men’s basketball team — the good and bad from its loss to SDSU — and why SUU should not be taken lightly Wednesday. Lastly, they discuss the undefeated women’s soccer team as it prepares for its NCAA tourney run. That and more on this week’s episode.

Zach Wilson, trick plays and early observations on BYU basketball

Get six decades worth of perspective on BYU sports with the Cougar Insiders podcast.

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