The Cougars slotted into the final spot at No. 25.

With future No. 1 NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa, BYU started last season 17-2 and was ranked in the top 10 before a season-ending injury to guard Richie Saunders, which knocked the Cougars’ ceiling down a few rungs. BYU eventually fell out of the Top 25, finished 23-12, and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Texas.

This year, Branch is the star power while BYU brings back point guard Robert Wright III. The Cougars also brought home transfers Collin Chandler (Farmington, University of Kentucky) and Jaxon Kohler (American Fork, Michigan State University) for a team again aiming to have one of the best offenses in the country.

BYU beat Nebraska 72-61 in an exhibition last week. Chandler led with 19 points. Wright had 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds, and Branch added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. Kohler totaled 10 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes.

BYU plays an exhibition Saturday at UNLV, then opens the season Nov. 2 by hosting Ohio State at the Delta Center.

Utah begins releasing GameDay info

The University of Utah has begun releasing information for festivities surrounding ESPN’s broadcast of “College GameDay” on Saturday ahead of the Utes’ top-15 matchup with visiting Houston.

The show will be staged at President’s Circle in the center of Utah’s campus. Fans will be permitted to enter the area beginning at 5 p.m. Friday. The university says it will have music, giveaways and food for students who show up the night before.

The university has some parking lots, mostly on the northern side of campus, designated for free parking if vacated by noon Saturday. Utah is also encouraging the use of UTA services, as TRAX has a red line train stopping on campus beginning at 4:45 a.m. Saturday and every 15 minutes thereafter.

ESPN’s broadcast is live from 7-10 a.m. Utah’s game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.

More information is available online at utahutes.com.

Eyes on Jazz to make jump

Common sentiment is that the Utah Jazz are set to make a jump this season in unleashing Lauri Markkanen, obtaining Jaren Jackson Jr., and adding No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson to last year’s drafting of Ace Bailey.

That’s backed up by the experts who make money on such things.

“I feel like there’s times where a team can make really big jumps,” BetMGM Sportsbook trader Christian Cipollini told the Associated Press. “The Jazz could be one of those, and just looking at the bets that were coming in, of the unrealistic teams to win, certainly the most amount of bets and one of our highest liability.”

After adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, the Philadelphia 76ers are the odds-on favorite to win the NBA title this season.

The Jazz open the season Wednesday night in Memphis. Utah then opens a five-game homestand Friday, hosting New Orleans.