LAS VEGAS — BYU opened the most highly-anticipated basketball season in program history with a win.

The No. 8-ranked Cougars fended off Villanova 71-66 Monday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, moving to 1-0 in Year 2 of the Kevin Young era.

3 takeaways

BYU’s stars carried the load offensively. In his regular season collegiate debut, AJ Dybantsa scored a team-high 21 points with six rebounds and three assists.

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Defending All-Big 12 First Team selection Richie Saunders posted 15 points with seven boards, two assists and two steals.

Making his own BYU debut, point guard Rob Wright III added another 14 points.

The Cougars’ powe

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