BYU Star Richie Saunders Suffers Injury in First Minute of Colorado Game

8oThe BYU veteran suffered an injury in the first 45 seconds of the game

Feb 10, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) looks to pass against Baylor Bears guard Obi Agbim (5) during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

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.

Since Saunders was ruled out of the game, BYU has not provided any further injury updates on Saunders.

Saunders is one of BYU's big three, averaging 18.8 points per game. If Saunders is forced to miss any extended time due to injury, it would be a devastating blow to the BYU basketball team. Saunders provides much more than just scoring. He brings 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 9 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.

All eyes will be on Richie Saunders throughout the day until BYU provides another injury update.

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.

If BYU is going to surge in February like they did last season, they will need to have Saunders in the lineup. BYU has already lost a few players for the season due to injury, most notably Dawson Baker and Nate Pickens.