BYU Slows Down Texas Tech's Christian Anderson With Defensive Adjustment

Kevin Young's decision to put bigger defender Keba Keita on Anderson paid dividends in the second half.

Mar. 8, 2026 at 7:37pm

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In a key Big 12 matchup, BYU basketball knocked off No. 10 Texas Tech 82-76 on senior night. The Cougars were able to slow down Texas Tech's star point guard Christian Anderson in the second half after BYU head coach Kevin Young made a defensive adjustment, putting the bigger Keba Keita on Anderson. The move proved effective, as Anderson still finished with 23 points and 9 assists, but the Texas Tech offense as a whole scored just 30 points in the second half after a 46-point first half.

Why it matters

BYU has been in a slump since losing star guard Richie Saunders to a season-ending injury, so this win over a top-10 opponent is a big boost for the Cougars as they head to the Big 12 Tournament. The defensive adjustment to slow down Anderson, one of the most skilled guards in college basketball, was a key factor in the victory.

The details

With Texas Tech star big man JT Toppin out with a torn ACL, the Red Raiders' offense has been centered around point guard Christian Anderson. Early on, Anderson was having his way against BYU's defense. But BYU head coach Kevin Young made the decision to put the bigger Keba Keita on Anderson, and the move paid dividends. Keita was able to stay in front of Anderson and contest his shots, helping limit the Texas Tech offense in the second half.

  • BYU celebrated senior Richie Saunders pregame on senior night.
  • Texas Tech lost star big man JT Toppin to a torn ACL in mid-February.

The players

Kevin Young

The head coach of the BYU basketball team who made the defensive adjustment to slow down Texas Tech's Christian Anderson.

Keba Keita

The BYU center who was put on Texas Tech's Christian Anderson in the second half, helping limit the star guard's impact.

Christian Anderson

The star point guard for Texas Tech who finished with 23 points and 9 assists, but was slowed down by BYU's defensive adjustment in the second half.

Richie Saunders

The BYU star guard who suffered a season-ending injury, but was celebrated by his team on senior night.

JT Toppin

The Texas Tech star big man who suffered a torn ACL in mid-February, leaving the Red Raiders' offense centered around Christian Anderson.

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What they’re saying

“(The switch made) all the difference in the world. Anderson is a very, very skilled basketball player. He's one of the most skilled guards in all of college basketball. He's a tough cover. ... We basically had to go to it, to be honest with you, and Keba answered the call. Obviously, what Khadim (Mboup) did too. The combination of those guys, their size, their ability to move their feet, and contest. It charged the game.”

— Kevin Young, BYU Head Coach

What’s next

BYU will now head to the Big 12 Tournament as the No. 10 seed, where they will play Kansas State in the first round on Tuesday. A win there would send them to the second round against West Virginia.

The takeaway

This defensive adjustment by BYU head coach Kevin Young to slow down Texas Tech's star point guard Christian Anderson was a key factor in the Cougars' upset win over the No. 10 Red Raiders. The move highlights the importance of in-game coaching decisions and the ability to adapt to an opponent's strengths.