The BYU Cougars had high hopes entering the season, mainly thanks to freshman sensation and projected one-and-done NBA prospect, AJ Dybansta. While the Cougars have had a strong season, they have scuffled lately and received the worst news possible earlier this evening.
According to Grant Grubb of On3.com, star forward Richie Saunders will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL last night in BYU’s 90-86 victory over Colorado. Saunders suffered the season-ending injury in the first minute of the contest.
“To end my BYU career like this is heartbreaking,” Saunders wrote in a post on Instagram. “I’ve loved every moment and every challenge that came with representing the school I love. “Cougar Nation, thank you. Through the ups and downs, you’ve stuck with me. I’ll never forget that. My story has never been one of ease.”
BYU overcame the loss of Saunders, the Cougars’ second-leading scorer, and a poor shooting performance by Dybantsa to improve to 19-6 on the season. Thanks, in large part, to Robert Williams III’s career night as he tossed in 39 points on 12 of 16 shooting from the field, along with five rebounds and four assists. Dybantsa did finish the game with strong numbers, tallying 20 points along with 13 rebounds and eight assists for his third double of the campaign.
Saunders was in the midst of a career season this year. The 6-5 wing, who was named the Big 12 Most Improved Player, averaged 18.0 points along with 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He knocked down 2.6 threes with shooting splits of 48.9/37.6/81.7. He also produced three double-doubles and scored 20-plus points 11 times, topping the 30-point mark twice.
What Does Richie Saunders Injury Mean for BYU? Does The Shapshooting Wing Have An NBA Future?
Not only is Saunders season over, but his collegiate career is as well. The 24-year-old is no longer eligible, having spent his entire collegiate career in Provo. He is one of the best two-way players to don a BYU uniform.
Saunders finishes his career with 1,544 points and ranks eighth in program history with 205 triples and 3-point attempts (530). Saunders ranks in the top 20 in steals (133) and steals per game (1.03). He has also racked up the 17th most 20-point games and 17th most 30-point nights in school lore.
With Saunders on the sidelines, BYU’s three-headed monster turns to a two-man show. Make no mistake, Williams III and Dybantsa are talented enough to carry the Cougars to a third straight NCAA berth. While the Cougars are deep, they will need Kennard Davis and Miholio Boskovic to step up.
Davis, who earned second-team All-MVC honors last season at Southern Illinois, has struggled with his shot this year, though he is a high-volume 3-point shooter. Davis got off to a fast start but found the sledding more difficult over the following two months. However, he has scored in double figures in two of his last six outings.
Boskovic is a veteran with extensive international experience. Boskovic has shot the ball better this year than last, allowing him to get more looks with Saunders out. The 23-year-old averages 3.3 points, on 45.3% shooting, and 2.8 rebounds in 13 minutes of action. While coming off the bench for most of the season, he has started one game.
While BYU had aspirations of competing for a Big 12 title and a national title, its hopes of reaching those goals are now likely dead. Still, the Cougars should reach the 20-win mark and the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season.
BYU sits in sixth place in the conference at 7-5 with six regular-season games left. But the Cougars don’t have an easy finish with Arizona (Feb. 18) and Iowa State (Feb. 21) up this week. The Cougars then host UCF before travelling to West Virginia and Cincinnati. They close the slate out against Texas Tech at home on March 7.
Saunders is the second player BYU has lost this season to injury. Senior guard Dawson Baker also tore his ACL at the end of November.
