Jake sits down with Jarom Jordan from BYUtv / BYU Sports Nation to talk about BYU’s rise under Kevin Young, huge recruiting wins, a brutal non-conference schedule, and a monster showdown vs UConn.

🎥 Watch the full interview:

Key Highlights

0:02 – Kicking Off the Conversation
I bring Jarom on and we talk about why he’s one of the best voices in BYU hoops and why basketball is still the sport he lives and breathes.

3:52 – Why BYU’s Recruiting Momentum Is Real
Jarom and I break down BYU’s latest commits and how big it is that we’re beating out programs like Houston. The trajectory of this program is rising fast.

5:05 – The NIL Reality Check
Jarom explains how often schools and agents reach out to top players. It’s constant. The message? Enjoy guys like AJ and Bear while we’ve got them — because everyone wants them.

9:09 – How BYU Built a Top-Tier Non-Conference Schedule
We talk about how Kevin Young and the staff intentionally loaded up the schedule with Quad-1 games to give BYU a real shot at a top-4 seed in March.

12:04 & 25:18 – Previewing the UConn Showdown
I ask Jarom how BYU matches up with UConn, and he calls it one of the biggest regular-season games in program history. If BYU wins, he believes we jump into the top five.

17:28 – Our Big Three
We get into AJ Dybantsa, Rob Wright III, and Richie Saunders — and why this trio gives BYU a ceiling we haven’t seen in decades.

23:06 – Why Defense Changes Everything
Jarom explains why BYU’s improved defense (especially with Fouss elevating his game) could be the key to a deep run in March.

52:09 – Final Thoughts: Enjoy This Moment
We wrap by talking about why BYU fans should stop worrying about “future rosters” or NBA departures and just enjoy this season. Teams like this don’t come around often.