Egor Demin leads BYU to NCAA Tournament victory

Freshman point guard Egor Demin shined in BYU’s NCAA Tournament game against VCU on Thursday. He scored 15 points and played a crucial role in BYU's 80-71 victory in Denver. Dallin Hall, Demin's backup and team veteran, had predicted a standout performance from him during a team dinner the night before. Hall encouraged Demin, telling him he would have a big game and reassured him about facing criticism. Demin started the game with a turnover but quickly rebounded, hitting three 3-pointers in the first half. These shots helped BYU build a 39-28 lead going into halftime. His teammates, including Keba Keita, expressed their excitement for Demin's success. Despite a solid performance, Demin had some improvement areas, with two assists and four turnovers. Hall praised Demin's leadership and work ethic. He noted that Demin's confidence can elevate the entire team's performance. Fellow guard Trevin Knell mentioned the pressure Demin faces as a potential first-round NBA draft pick but highlighted how well he has managed it. Demin himself emphasized the importance of teamwork over individual accolades. Coach Young appreciated Demin's shot selection and mentioned that his early aggression set the tone for the game. The team's focus remains on collective effort as they advance in the tournament.