The BYU Cougars open play in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament today in Omaha against the Duquesne Dukes and Jake Hatch says it's a must-win for Mark Pope and the BYU men's basketball program if they hope to be considered among the best-ever BYU basketball programs in Brigham Young University (BYU) history and the good news is they have the goods to do it.

Jake then caught up with BYU defensive end Logan Lutui, who has battled back from an ACL injury to re-establish himself in the two-deep on the defensive line in Jay Hill's defense and he is using his institutional knowledge from his time playing for Hill and the Weber State Wildcats to his advantage as he looks to lead BYU to Big 12 Conference glory this fall.

Finally, the show wrapped up with some notes from Jake from his time at the NCAA Tournament so far with kind words for BYU form Heath Schroyer and Gonzaga Bulldogs coach Mark Few along with some notes he had collected from his attendance at BYU football practice earlier in the week and what Kalani Sitake's program looks like as they get closer to closing out spring ball.

BYU Basketball Has Must-Win Scenario Against Duquesne Dukes & It's Go-Time

Locked On Cougars podcast is the daily podcast that keeps you ahead of the games and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the BYU Cougars. Hosted by Jake Hatch, the Locked On Cougars podcast provides your daily BYU Cougars fix with Jake’s unique insights and insider information as he provides expert opinions, film reviews, interviews, recaps, local analysis, and coverage of all things BYU Cougars. From the thrilling games at LaVell Edwards Stadium to hoop heaven’s Marriott Center and everywhere in between, the Locked On Cougars podcast takes you beyond the headlines for the inside scoops from the biggest stories inside the Cougars locker room and the Big 12. The Locked On Cougars podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

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The BYU Cougars added another ESPN Top-100 recruit to the BYU men's basketball roster Tuesday with former Stanford Cardinal signee Elijah Crawford signing instead to play at Brigham Young University (BYU) and Jake Hatch says it adds another feather to the already blooming cap of Kevin Young as he goes about building a strong BYU basketball roster.

Jake then took some time to examine where things stand for BYU hoops roster-wise with nine players currently locked in and the potential to add as many as four more players as he dissects what KYU and company need to round out the roster and really become a force to compete in the upper echelons of the Big 12 Conference once again this fall.

Finally, the show wrapped up with news that the Big 12 became the first of 32 Division 1 Conferences to sign off on the NCAA's proposed settlement in the House vs NCAA case that will see millions of dollars in payouts withheld from BYU and other schools while also allocating up to $20 million in direct revenue sharing for BYU Athletics to disperse to their athletes.

BYU Basketball & Kevin Young Add To Their Haul With Elijah Crawford Signing

The BYU Cougars added to their offensive line unit with the addition of former Colorado Buffaloes offensive tackle Isaiah Jatta Monday as he opted to play for Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program over the USC Trojans and Texas State Bobcats, among other interested programs and Jake Hatch believes he has the potential to boost BYU's Big 12 prospects this fall.

Jake then talked with one of Jatta's new teammates and recent NCAA Transfer Portal addition in his own right in Austin Leausa as the Leausa explained his journey from being an undersized lineman in high school, playing for the Southern Utah Thunderbirds and finally getting a chance to suit up for his dream school at Brigham Young University (BYU).

Finally, the show wrapped up with some thoughts on the nee Big 12 basketball scheduling format next season that will see Kevin Young and the BYU men's basketball program playing 20 Big 12 games over 10 weeks with no byes in the run and Jake believes it will ensure BYU basketball and every other program in the conference will be tested at whole new level in 2024-25.

BYU Football Fortifies O-Line & Boosts Big 12 Prospects By Going Portalin'

The BYU Cougars are hunting high and low as Kevin Young and his staff go about filling out their roster and Jake Hatch kicked off the show talking about what the ideal scenario for the BYU men's basketball program would entail with a number of high-level prospects having visited Brigham Young University (BYU) and each would have a role to play for BYU basketball.

Tualatin, Oregon prospect Nolan Keeney recieved a scholarship offer from Aaron Roderick, Kalani Sitake and the rest of the BYU football program over the weekend and Jake believes that Keeney could be the best option for BYU in the 2025 recruiting cycle as he appears to have all the tools that the BYU Cougars covet in their quarterbacks but alos has elite size as well.

Finally, the show wrapped up with notes on 2025 tight end prospect Jayden Savoury setting an official visit to BYU for June with his size, athleticism and background being tantalizing along with some thoughts on the end of a tough debut in the Big 12 Conference for the BYU baseball program as Trent Prett and company will look ofr answers as to what went wrong.

BYU Basketball & Kevin Young Shoot For The Moon As They Build Big 12 Contender

The BYU Cougars are hosting a pair of high-profile offensive linemen in Aaron Dunn and Isaiah Jatta on official visits to Brigham Young University (BYU) this week and they are the type(s) of linemen that Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program need both now and into the future as they seek to avoid the fate that befell them last fall in their Big 12 Conference debut.

Jake Hatch then took some time to talk about BYU basketball star Jaxson Robinson's showing at the NBA Combine and examine what the reigning Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year will do, whether that is to remain in the NBA Draft, transfer to play for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats or return to BYu and suit for Kevin Young and rejoin his teammates in the Marriott Center in Provo.

Finally, the show wrapped up with a look at what the listeners wanted to talk about as Jake broached topics about Kevin Young's assistant coaches, what the BYU men's basketball roster still needs on it, what the difference between BYU football and BYU hoops is perception-wise and finishing the week with a nice compliment for the show.

BYU Football Hosting High-Profile Linemen As Their Big 12 Build Up Continues

The BYU Cougars are on the hunt to fill the remaining five roster spots on the BYU men's basketball roster and Kevin Young may have had a golden option emerge when Stanford Cardinal guard Elijah Crawford formally was released from his NLI and announced he was exploring his options and BYU basketball assistant Brandon Dunson has a close relationship that could help.

Jake Hatch then talked about the impact that name, image and likeness is having on college athletics and the impact it is having on fans at-large, particularly those who root for Brigham Young University (BYU) and what the possible answer(s) may be as all parties navigate some uncharted waters when it comes to the current reality in college football and college basketball etc.

Finally, the show wrapped up with a question and and answer segment as Jake addressed questions about Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program's strengths and weaknesses in the Big 12 Conference, breaking down the QB derby between Jake Retzlaff, Gerry Bohanon and McCae Hillstead and issuing a well-deserved shoutout to BYU's sports information team.

BYU Basketball Has Must-Win Scenario Against Duquesne Dukes & It's Go-Time

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