What a game we got to witness last night—a thrilling overtime battle in Utah! BYU ultimately edged out Baylor, 93-89, but man, what performances from both teams. VJ Edgecombe and Robert Wright did everything they could, but the night belonged to Kanon Catchings.

Catchings finished with a perfect 8/8 from the field, 4/4 from beyond the arc, and 3/3 from the free-throw line for 23 points. This performance undoubtedly boosted his draft stock. Not only did Catchings show off his sharp shooting, a must for any 3&D player, but he also showcased his ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. His step-back move creates so much separation, and his athleticism was on full display with a jaw-dropping and-one reverse layup from the baseline. Catchings was also active on the boards and in help defense, causing consistent disruption. For a 6’9 freshman, his limited-dribble game and overall efficiency were extremely impressive.

Egor Demin did what he does best—facilitating the offense. His high basketball IQ stood out, especially when he called for a screen to clear the paint before feeding his guard with a mismatch against a bigger player. Smart, heads-up play. That said, I do have some lingering concerns. While Demin is active defensively and a gifted passer, his offensive game is still lacking. He’s not a great shooter, isn’t the quickest off the dribble, and lacks much variety in his moves. He reminds me of Josh Giddey, but I worry that Demin could struggle at the next level, where players are quicker and stronger, making it harder for him to get by. To be truly effective, Demin will need to become a more reliable outside shooter.

VJ Edgecombe, once again, had a stellar performance. He was hitting threes, attacking the rim, and creating for others. His passing was exceptional, including a perfectly timed lob over the zone for an alley-oop and impressive drop-offs on drives. I’ve critiqued VJ in the past for not driving left enough, and while he did get cut off a couple of times, he showed a beautiful off-hand floater and a lefty finish at the rim. Edgecombe finished with 28 points on 9/15 shooting, including 6/8 from three. He did miss a crucial free throw in OT that could’ve put Baylor within one possession, but he also showed his clutch DNA by hitting two massive threes.

Robert Wright had a fantastic game for Baylor, especially down the stretch. He scored 14 straight points, including two critical free throws to send the game into OT. I love Wright’s poise and quick, twitchy dribbling, which allows him to get to the basket at will. If he can develop a more consistent outside shot, he could be a real threat. Wright finished with 22 points, 6 assists, and shot 6/12 from the field, including 2/4 from three.

Lastly, an honorable mention to Richie Saunders. Saunders is a versatile scorer—he can shoot from deep, finish in the mid-range, and get to the rim. He’s someone to watch closely in his senior year.