BYU Basketball Drops One Spot in the Latest AP Poll

The Cougars fell a spot after losing Richie Saunders for the season

Feb 14, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts during the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images | Aaron Baker-Imagn Images

After ending a four-game losing streak and going 2-0 last week, BYU fell one spot in the latest AP Poll. The Cougars dropped from no. 22 to no. 23 after two narrow wins, and most notably, dropped one spot after losing star Richie Saunders for the season due to an ACL injury.

BYU is scheduled to face two top six teams in its first week without Richie Saunders in the lineup. First, the Cougars will take on no. 4 Arizona on the road. Then, they will return home to host no. 6 Iowa State in the Marriott Center.

Latest AP Top 25

1. Michigan
2. Houston
3. Duke
4. Arizona
5. UConn
6. Iowa State
7. Purdue
8. Kansas
9. Nebraska
10. Illinois
11. Gonzaga
12. Florida
13. Texas Tech
14. Virginia
15. Michigan State
16. North Carolina
17. St. John's
18. Saint Louis
19. Vanderbilt
20. Arkansas
21. Louisville
22. Miami (OH)
23. BYU
24. Wisconsin
25. Alabama

Richie Saunders Out for the Season

In the first 45 seconds of BYU's home game against Colorado, BYU star Richie Saunders suffered a non-contact injury. Saunders jumped up to deliver a pass and came down awkwardly on his knee. Saunders immediately grabbed his knee when he went to the floor.

Saunders was helped up by BYU's trainers. On his way to the locker room, Saunders walked on his own power and gave a thumbs up to the crowd. It appeared that Saunders told the crowd "I'm good" on his way to the locker room. However, Saunders stayed in the locker room and was later ruled out for the rest of the game.

On Sunday, BYU provided an injury update on Saunders. "BYU's Richie Saunders suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the first minute of the Cougars' 90-86 overtime victory over Colorado Saturday afternoon."

Losing Saunders for the season is a devastating blow to the BYU basketball team.

Saunders was one of BYU's big three, averaging 18.8 points per game. Saunders provided much more than just scoring. He brought a toughness on defense and rebounding ability. He ranks third on the team with 6.0 rebounds per game.

Things went from bad to potentially much worse for BYU when, in the same half, Robert Wright III suffered what appeared to be an ankle injury. Fortunately for Wright and BYU fans, he was able to come back into the game after five minutes on the bench.

With Saunders in the locker room, BYU turned to reserve player Tlyer Mrus. Mrus answered the bell, knocking down a pair of threes in the first half . The Cougars shot 7/11 from three as a team in the first half and took a 37-32 lead into the halftime locker room.

With Saunders off the floor, BYU turned to AJ Dybantsa to initiate the offense. Dybantsa consistently found open teammates all while putting up point himself. He finished the first half with 20 points, 8 assists, and 13 rebounds.

The Saunders injury put a damper on what was going to be a day of celebration in Provo. At halftime, BYU retired the number of former BYU star Jimmer Fredette. As Kevin Young said, Saunders' injury took the energy out of the building.

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