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BYU Role Players Steal Spotlight Against | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

Don’t let the star steal the story: BYU’s unsung pieces that made the Iowa State upset possible

There are nights when a singular performance steals the headlines — and rightfully so. AJ Dybantsa’s near triple‑double (29 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists) in BYU’s 79–69 upset of No. 6 Iowa State on February 21, 2026, was one of those nights. But if you watched the whole game, you saw something else: a supporting cast that stepped up in ways the box score and highlights don’t fully capture. That collective lift turned a brilliant individual night into a signature team win. (byucougars.com)

Why this win matters beyond the highlight reel

  • BYU earned its first Top‑10 victory of the season, a marquee result that improves resume and belief. (byucougars.com)
  • Iowa State came in hot — a top‑10 team with national expectations — meaning this wasn’t a fluke; it was earned. (espn.com)
  • The win came after BYU lost a key rotation player (Richie Saunders), so the responsibility shifted to others and they delivered. (991thesportsanimal.com)

The unsung contributions that swung the game

  1. Kennard Davis Jr.: The reliable secondary scorer

    • Davis scored 17 points and provided timely shooting and offensive rebounding that sustained BYU through Iowa State’s runs. His floor spacing and willingness to crash the glass helped maintain possessions that became crucial late. (byucougars.com)

  2. Mihailo Boskovic: Confidence when it mattered most

    • In his third career start, Boskovic delivered a career‑best 13 points — including a big corner 3 with 1:20 left that pushed the lead back to double digits. That’s the kind of shot a freshman forward remembers. (byucougars.com)

  3. Khadim Mboup and the rebound margin

    • BYU dominated the boards (39–28), translating defensive rebounds into transition chances and limiting second‑chance points for Iowa State. Mboup’s activity and the team’s collective effort on the glass were foundational. (vanquishthefoe.com)

  4. Defense and timely stops

    • BYU’s ability to get stops at key moments — including forcing contested possessions on Iowa State’s sharpshooters — created the transition opportunities Dybantsa capitalized on and kept momentum on the home side. Coach Kevin Young highlighted the defensive fight as pivotal. (heraldextra.com)

The narrative shift: from reliance to resilience

Before this game, many narratives framed BYU as “AJ plus helpers.” Saturday’s result showed the helpers are not merely interchangeable pieces; they are decisive contributors. When the Cyclones closed within three late, it wasn’t another Dybantsa hero ball that finished it — it was a sequence that involved drawing defenders, kicking to the open man, a Boskovic 3, and rebounding grit that preserved possessions. That kind of team basketball is what separates one‑off wins from program momentum. (heraldextra.com)

What this suggests for the rest of the season

  • Opponents can no longer schematically focus only on Dybantsa; BYU has shown credible secondary options who can punish over‑help and capitalize on attention. (byucougars.com)
  • Confidence gained from beating a top‑10 opponent at home is intangible but real — it can change how players attack late‑game situations and how coaches deploy lineups. (heraldextra.com)
  • If BYU continues to win the rebound battle and get contributions from its role players, they’re not just dark‑horse candidates — they’re dangerous. (vanquishthefoe.com)

Plays to watch (so you notice the helpers next time)

  • The offensive rebound that turned into a Dybantsa finish at 16:39 of the second half — an example of how extra possessions changed the scoreboard. (heraldextra.com)
  • The late kickout to Boskovic for the corner 3 at 1:20 left — not a highlight that would trend, but a finish that sealed the game. (heraldextra.com)
  • Team defensive rotations on Milan Momcilovic when he got into early foul trouble — the attention on stopping the Cyclones’ sharpshooters bought BYU transition looks. (heraldextra.com)

My take

This wasn’t just a night for AJ Dybantsa — it was a night BYU earned by committee. Stars create separation, but championships and résumé‑building wins are often assembled by the supporting cast: the rebounder who scrapes for seconds, the young starter who drills a corner triple, the wing that takes a contested charge or a late defensive stop. BYU’s victory over Iowa State was a reminder that basketball is a team sport in the deepest sense. Keep watching those quiet box‑score lines; they’re telling a bigger story.

Sources



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Will Audi Crooks Return vs. Kansas? | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

Iowa State without its scoring engine — but for how long?

There are few storylines in women’s college basketball right now as compelling as Audi Crooks’ season. She’s not just piling up points; she’s reshaping how opponents game-plan against the Cyclones. So when the nation’s leading scorer sat out Iowa State’s 81-53 win over Northern Iowa on Sunday, it felt like a reminder of how fragile momentum can be — and how deep this Cyclone roster might be when tested.

What happened (and why it matters)

  • Audi Crooks, averaging about 27–28 points per game and leading Division I in scoring, did not play in the Cyclones’ Sunday win over Northern Iowa. (espn.com)
  • The injury stems from a head impact Crooks suffered in Iowa State’s upset-style win over No. 11 Iowa earlier in the week; the school didn’t disclose specifics beyond saying she would finish return-to-play protocol early this week. Coach Bill Fennelly suggested Crooks could be available when Iowa State opens Big 12 play against Kansas next Sunday. (espn.com)
  • In Crooks’ absence, junior Addy Brown stepped up with 28 points and 12 rebounds, underscoring that the Cyclones can still find ways to win without their superstar — at least in the short term. (kcci.com)

Why this is more than a one-game story

  • Audi Crooks isn’t just a top scorer; she’s a central matchup problem. Teams defend Iowa State differently because of her: double teams, collapse-and-kick strategies, and adjustments that free up teammates. Losing such a player — even temporarily — forces a different offensive identity. (espn.com)
  • How a team responds when its focal player is out reveals coaching, depth, and culture. Sunday’s 81-53 win showed resilience: balanced scoring, efficient 3-point shooting, and role players stepping into meaningful minutes. That matters most when the schedule tightens in conference play. (kcci.com)
  • There’s also the player-health dimension. Head injuries and RTP (return-to-play) protocols are unpredictable; hoping for a return “next Sunday” is different from guaranteed availability. Managing Crooks’ health now could affect not just one game but the team’s season-long prospects.

What to watch this week

  • Official updates from Iowa State on Crooks’ return-to-play status. The timeline the school gave is early this week, with optimism about availability next Sunday versus Kansas — but expect conservative, stepwise progress. (espn.com)
  • How coach Bill Fennelly adjusts minutes and rotations if Crooks is cleared: will she return to starter minutes immediately, or will Iowa State ramp her up off the bench to limit contact and ease rhythm?
  • Continued emergence of secondary scorers — Addy Brown’s performance Sunday matters. If Brown and others can sustain high-level contributions, Iowa State is less likely to be derailed by an absence. (kcci.com)

A few quick takeaways

  • The Cyclones showed they can win convincingly without Crooks, which is a credit to their depth and coaching. (kcci.com)
  • Crooks’ injury appears to be head-related; RTP protocols are in place and Iowa State is cautious — that’s the right call for a player of her importance. (espn.com)
  • Her anticipated return versus Kansas would be a key early Big 12 moment; whether she plays could swing that matchup and set the tone for conference play. (espn.com)

My take

Talent like Audi Crooks’ is rare: elite scoring efficiency, game-to-game consistency, and the ability to change matchups. But the best teams aren’t only great when their superstar is healthy — they’re great enough that a star’s absence becomes an opportunity for growth. Iowa State showed glimpses of that Sunday. If Crooks returns fully healed, the Cyclones will be scarier. If her return is delayed, this team has taken an encouraging step toward being a true collective in 2025–26.

Sources



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.