Blue and White game tips off 2021-22 basketball season

PROVO, Utah — The BYU men's basketball team will start off the 2021-22 season with a Blue vs. White scrimmage on Friday in the Marriott Center. Tip will be at 7 p.m. and admission is free.

BYU was picked to finish second in the West Coast Conference preseason poll, released last week. The Cougars also landed two players on the All-WCC preseason team: Alex Barcello and Caleb Lohner.

The Cougars return eight players — five who got starting minutes at different points — from last season’s squad that went to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed. The Cougars also have nine newcomers vying for playing time. BYU will look to return to the NCAA Tournament behind a new mix of veterans and transfers guided by head coach Mark Pope, who begins his third season at the helm.

BYU will open the season with an exhibition contest against Colorado Christian on Nov. 4. The regular season officially begins Tuesday, Nov. 9 against Cleveland State at the Marriott Center.

MASK REQUIREMENT

Consistent with current Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and BYU requirements, BYU Athletics will require masks in indoor venues when physical distancing isn’t maintained. This includes a requirement for those attending indoor athletic events, such as volleyball in the Smith Fieldhouse, basketball inside the Marriott Center and inside the loges at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Wearing a mask will be required for entry to indoor BYU venues. Masks will not be required for outdoor BYU venues.

BYU strongly urges students, employees and campus guests to follow recent counsel from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to get vaccinated and wear masks.

The university will continue to monitor the situation and will reevaluate mask requirements based on several factors, including the immunization rate of the campus community, COVID-19 transmission and hospitalization rates, and guidance from health and government officials.