Provo, Utah – BYU Basketball has made an astounding ascent in the Kenpom college basketball rankings, reaching their highest-ever position in the program’s history. The Cougars currently sit at No. 22 in the ratings, their best ranking since joining the Power Five conference in 2011.
“This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players and coaches,” said BYU head coach Mark Pope. “We have a special group of guys who are committed to excellence, and they are starting to reap the rewards.”
Kenpom, a respected analytics website that ranks college basketball teams based on efficiency, has been tracking BYU’s progress throughout the season. The Cougars have consistently performed well in Kenpom’s metrics, including offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency, and tempo.
“BYU has been one of the most impressive teams in the country this season,” said Ken Pomeroy, founder of Kenpom.com. “They have a balanced attack on offense and play with great intensity on defense. They are a legitimate NCAA Tournament contender.”
The Cougars’ rise in the Kenpom rankings has been fueled by a strong start to their conference schedule. BYU has won four of its first six games in West Coast Conference play, including a road victory over No. 17 Saint Mary’s Gaels.
The Cougars’ success has also been aided by the play of their senior guard Alex Barcello. Barcello is averaging 18.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this season and has been named to the West Coast Conference Player of the Year watch list.
“Alex is a special player,” said Pope. “He is a leader on and off the court, and he makes everyone around him better.”
With their high Kenpom ranking, BYU is now in contention for an NCAA Tournament berth. The Cougars are projected to be a No. 9 seed in the tournament, according to ESPN’s bracketology.
“We are excited about the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament,” said Barcello. “We know it will be a challenge, but we are confident that we can make a run.”
BYU will continue its season on Thursday, February 3rd, when they host the University of San Diego Toreros at the Marriott Center.
