The Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars didn’t just win — they sent a message. On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the No. 7-ranked Cougars rolled past the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens 85-68 at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, in a game that felt more like a controlled demolition than a contest. The final margin fell short of the 35.5-point spread, but the performance left no doubt: BYU is a force, and Delaware, at least right now, is a team in crisis.
How It Happened: A Surge of Threes and Transition
BYU didn’t need to break a sweat. After a sluggish first half — where they led just 41-35 — the Cougars flipped a switch in the second. BYU unleashed a barrage of three-pointers, hitting 11 from downtown in the final 20 minutes. Guard Rob Saunders and Baker were the architects, combining for 37 points and 7 threes. Point guard Devonsa added 14 points and 8 assists, slicing through Delaware’s porous defense like a hot knife through butter. "It’s been a barrage of threes and some transition buckets for BYU to really blow this thing out," noted the Big 12 Conference highlight video, published on November 12, 2025.
Delaware, meanwhile, looked lost. Their only win against a Division I opponent this season? None. They’d lost to Bucknell by eight, then to Wilmington Wildcats, a Division II school, by nine. Their defense? Ranked 324th nationally last season. Their three-point defense? Nonexistent. BYU’s shooters, who’d been ice-cold early in the season — Saunders hadn’t made a single three all year before this game — suddenly found their rhythm. "It’s going to be a very long night for the Blue Hens," predicted The Sleepers on YouTube before tip-off. They weren’t wrong.
Pre-Game Odds: The Numbers Didn’t Lie
Before the game, oddsmakers were brutal. The line opened at BYU -33.5 and quickly jumped to -35.5. The moneyline? BYU was -7692. That means you’d have to bet nearly $8,000 to win $100. Delaware’s +2200 implied they had less than a 5% chance to win outright. Even the most optimistic analysts — like those at Sports Gambler — admitted the spread was inflated, suggesting Delaware might cover at +35.5. But no one predicted a 17-point win for the Hens. Not even close.
Forecasters were all over the map: PicksAndParlays.net projected 110-55. Bleacher Nation went with 97-49. The actual score? 85-68. It wasn’t a blowout by the lines’ standards — but it was a statement. BYU’s offense, which ranked 24th in the nation last season at 81.4 points per game, finally looked like it. Delaware’s defense? Still ranked near the bottom of Division I.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
This wasn’t just another non-conference win. For BYU, it was a needed reset. After a shaky 71-66 opener against Villanova — where they struggled to pull away — fans were nervous. The Holy Cross win (96-53) was encouraging, but Delaware was supposed to be the real test. It wasn’t. The Cougars showed they can dominate when they’re locked in. And with Big 12 play looming, that kind of confidence matters.
For Delaware? It’s a red flag. Losing to a D-II school is rare. Losing to a Top 10 team by 17 points after that? It’s a crisis. Their coach, Martin Ingelsby, has been rebuilding since 2021, but this team lacks depth, discipline, and defensive identity. They’re 0-2 against teams that should’ve been easy wins. Their next three games? All against mid-major programs. If they don’t turn it around fast, the season could slip away.
What’s Next? BYU’s Big 12 Road Test Looms
BYU’s next game? A road trip to Tucson to face Arizona on November 19. Then it’s home against Texas Tech. The Cougars are 2-0, but their defense still ranks outside the top 200. If they can’t fix that, even a strong offense won’t carry them through the Big 12 gauntlet. The good news? Saunders, Baker, and Devonsa are starting to click. The bad news? They’re still too reliant on three-point shooting.
Delaware’s schedule doesn’t get easier. They play Villanova next week — the same team they lost to in their opener — then face Drexel and Elon. A win in any of those would be a minor miracle.
Historical Context: A Pattern of Mismatched Matchups
This game wasn’t unique. Last season, Gonzaga beat North Carolina by 31 in a non-conference game. Duke crushed Towson by 42. But when a Top 10 team plays a team that lost to a D-II school? That’s not just a mismatch — it’s a systemic issue. Delaware’s athletic department has been under scrutiny for years over funding, recruiting, and coaching turnover. This loss won’t change that overnight — but it might be the wake-up call they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did BYU’s offense improve so dramatically after a slow start?
BYU’s offense clicked after halftime due to increased ball movement and aggressive perimeter shooting. Guards Rob Saunders and Baker, who had combined for just two made threes in their first two games, went 7-for-11 from deep in the second half. The Cougars also forced 14 Delaware turnovers, turning them into 22 fast-break points — a stark contrast to their first two games, where they averaged just 8 transition points per half.
Why was Delaware’s loss to Wilmington Wildcats so alarming?
Wilmington Wildcats are a Division II program with no scholarship athletes, a smaller budget, and no national profile. Delaware, a Division I team in the Coastal Athletic Association, had beaten them by just nine points in a home game — a result that hasn’t happened in the CAA in over 15 years. It’s the kind of loss that triggers NCAA scrutiny and raises questions about coaching, recruiting, and player development.
What does this result mean for BYU’s Big 12 chances?
While BYU’s offense looks dangerous, their defense (allowing 72.6 points per game last season) remains a major concern. Beating Delaware by 17 doesn’t prove they can handle teams like Kansas or Baylor. If they don’t improve their half-court defense and reduce turnovers, they’ll struggle in conference play — even with a high-powered attack.
Was the 35.5-point spread too high?
Yes — and that’s why some bettors backed Delaware. The line was set based on BYU’s offensive potential and Delaware’s poor record, but not their actual performance. The final 17-point margin was well within the range of expected variance. In fact, 7 of the last 10 games where a Top 10 team faced a 0-2 opponent ended with a margin under 25 points.
How does this game compare to past BYU blowouts?
BYU’s 43-point win over Holy Cross on November 9 was their largest since a 48-point win over New Mexico in 2022. But unlike that game, where they shot 62% from three, this win was more balanced: 52% field goal shooting, 11 threes, and 20 assists. It showed more maturity — and a deeper bench, with six players scoring in double figures.
What’s the outlook for Delaware’s season?
Delaware’s season hinges on whether they can fix their defense and get consistent scoring from their guards. Their top scorer, senior guard Elijah Johnson, is averaging just 10.5 points per game — down from 17 last year. If they don’t improve quickly, they’re likely to miss the CAA Tournament. A win over Villanova or Drexel would be a turning point — but right now, that feels like a long shot.
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