Episode Details

The BYU Cougars are at a crossroads as Kevin Young’s men’s basketball squad faces mounting pressure in the Big 12. After back-to-back losses to Kansas and Arizona, Jake Hatch delivers an unfiltered analysis of what’s holding BYU back from true contender status. The Cougars have yet to notch a signature win in conference play, and the troubling lack of defensive consistency continues to haunt their NCAA Tournament hopes. Can a renewed focus on lockdown defense and bench production—led by Richie Saunders and AJ Dybantsa—reignite BYU’s late-season run? With crucial games against Oklahoma State and top-ranked Houston looming this week, all eyes are on Kevin Young’s adjustments and whether the Cougars can avoid sliding deeper into the Big 12’s crowded middle tier.

While the men’s team searches for answers, BYU women’s basketball is quietly rewriting expectations under first-year head coach Lee Cummard. The women’s squad stunned rival Utah with a second-half rally powered by Brinley Cannon and showcased a collective resilience that stands in sharp contrast to the men’s reliance on stars. Delaney Gibb continues to contribute across the board, but it’s Cummard’s versatile, team-oriented rotation that has the Cougars battling for a postseason berth in the Big 12. Jake Hatch calls out the underrated grit, teamwork, and adaptability fueling the women’s success and urges fans to pay close attention as they embark on a pivotal stretch on the road at Kansas and Kansas State.

The episode wraps with a spotlight on BYU football’s recruiting wins, as offers go out to Jaxsson Rex and Preston Beck—standout prospects from San Clemente High School and heirs to Cougar legends Byron Rex and John Beck. Jake Hatch examines how BYU’s recruiting pipelines in Southern California remain crucial, both for their legacy impact and for maintaining the Cougars’ competitive edge in an evolving college football landscape. Will the next generation of the Rex and Beck families solidify BYU’s future, and can either basketball squad deliver a statement through February? Tune in for in-depth analysis, program updates, and a candid look at where BYU athletics stands—and what it needs to do next to chase sustained success.

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Jake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you will not find anywhere else.

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Wins define the moment.
Putting in the work –<