Richie Saunders' Unlikely Journey to the NCAA Tournament Richie Saunders, a third-leading scorer for BYU’s men’s basketball team, found himself in an unexpected situation during the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City. After tearing his ACL in a game against Colorado nearly a month earlier, Saunders was confined to a knee brace and crutches, unable to move much. Yet, his determination to stay involved led to a viral moment that highlighted his resilience. Saunders, who had been sidelined for weeks, looked at his roommate and walk-on point guard Jared McGregor during a team stay in Kansas City and muttered, “I gotta get out.” The challenge was daunting—navigating the short distance from the hotel to a late-night trip to Insomnia Cookies without assistance. The team’s hotel bell cart became the solution, and McGregor’s Instagram post capturing the moment gained over 400,000 views in days. Despite his injury, Saunders remained a key figure for BYU, which will open its 33rd NCAA Tournament appearance on Thursday. His contributions were evident in a 82-76 win over then-No. 10 Texas Tech in the regular-season finale. Coach Kevin Young acknowledged Saunders’ mental strength, noting that his presence and leadership had become vital. “He’s showing a bit more of his personality,” Young said. “He knows this is just a minor step back, and he can’t change what’s happened. He feels good about the plan in place, which allows him to focus on supporting the team as an older brother figure.” BYU’s success in the NCAA Tournament hinges on a blend of experience and emerging talent. The team, which reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011, will rely on veterans like Saunders, Keba Keita, Mihailo Boskovic, and leading scorer AJ Dybantsa. However, the tournament’s intensity requires depth, and role players have stepped up.#byu #kevin_young #richie_saunders #jared_mcgregor #dominique_diomande
