PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball picks for Tuesday’s Big 12 game, and some of their best players will be returning from injury.

Starters Egor Demin and Richie Saunders are expected to return to the lineup when BYU takes on Arizona State on New Year’s Eve.

BYU coach Kevin Young on the availability of Egor Demin and Richie Saunders for Tuesday’s Big 12 opener against Arizona State:

“Unless something unforeseen happens, these people should be available.”

“They were able to practice quite a bit. You look good. I’m still watching these guys to…

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 30, 2024

“Unless something unforeseen happens, these guys should be available (against Arizona State),” BYU head coach Kevin Young said Monday.

Demin suffered a bruised knee in the opening minutes of BYU’s road loss at Providence on Dec. 3. Saunders suffered a concussion on the first possession of the game in a win over Wyoming at the Delta Center on Dec. 14.

Demin missed just three games with BYU’s light schedule in December, and Saunders missed one.

Now they prepare to begin the gauntlet known as Big 12 Conference Play.

Egor Demin and Richie Saunders should be available against Arizona State

According to Young, Demin and Saunders performed well in practice leading up to the Big 12 opener against the Sun Devils.

“You look good. “I’m still watching these people to make sure everything is OK,” Young said. “Honestly, I wish we could have played more just to get these guys going more. But I know they are both eager and ready to get back out there with their teammates.”

Demin, a projected NBA lottery pick, has shined in his first season of college basketball. The 6-foot-9 guard is averaging 13.3 points, 5.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds while shooting nearly 50% from the field.

Saunders, a 6-foot-2 forward, has established himself as a starter for the first time in his college career – the Riverton native is averaging 12.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

BYU vs. Arizona State

Date: December 31, 2024

Tip: 2:00 p.m. (MST)

TV: ESPN2

Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12-3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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