Episode Details

The BYU Cougars are renewing their fierce rivalry with the Utah State Aggies, but the much-anticipated basketball series comes with a twist: no true home-and-home showdown. Jake Hatch dissects BYU’s strategic move to keep the first game in Provo’s Marriott Center and push the so-called “return” game to the neutral Delta Center in Salt Lake City. This setup stirs debate—does BYU’s insistence on avoiding the Spectrum in Logan signal a new era of Big 12 leverage, or is it a missed opportunity for testing the mettle of young stars like Bruce Branch III? With a 10-game win streak over the Aggies since 2013, the Cougars show their dominance, but the absence of a true road game raises questions about player development in high-pressure environments.

Money talks in college basketball, and both programs stand to gain financially from a split-ticket arrangement at the 19,000-capacity Delta Center, as highlighted by Jake Hatch. More seats mean more revenue, crowd energy, and broader reach for the rivalry—but at what cost to tradition and home-court intrigue? The conversation doesn’t stop at Utah State; Jake Hatch advocates for expanding BYU’s non-conference schedule with more in-state clashes, including matchups with UVU, Weber State, Southern Utah, and Utah Tech. The goal: keep the non-conference slate compelling and let local fan bases rally around familiar faces, instead of scheduling lesser-known opponents for “money games” that lack excitement and history.

Will Kevin Young’s leadership and BYU’s assertive scheduling philosophy rejuvenate the local hoops scene and help the Cougars prepare for the rigors of Big 12 play? Can the Cougars’ approach of dictating terms while embracing local rivalries set a winning formula for both financial success and on-court development? Jake Hatch provides a passionate, insightful look at how regional rivalries and smart scheduling could shape BYU’s basketball trajectory as they aim to extend their dominance over the Aggies and maximize fan engagement heading into a new season.

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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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