Denver — Dallin Hall didn’t need to hear the outside criticism when BYU struggled in January. Everything being said, he had already thought himself. The weight of it sat heavily on his mind.
The Cougars’ experienced guard even questioned whether he had made the right decision returning to Provo.
For two seasons, Hall had been the heartbeat of BYU’s program—earning a starting role as a freshman, making the WCC All-Freshman team, and later helping the Cougars secure an NCAA Tournament berth. His clutch moments, including a game-winner against Kansas at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, cemented his role as a leader.
His return for a third season, despite interest from Creighton and other top programs, was met with high expectations. He was supposed to be the guy.
But after a frustrating January loss to Texas Tech, doubts began to surface. Fans questioned if Hall should remain a starter. His chemistry with freshman standout Egor Demin, a fellow ball-dominant guard, seemed shaky. If they couldn’t coexist, where did that leave Hall?
“I think I got caught up in it,” Hall admitted about the debate surrounding their roles.
It became one of the biggest storylines of BYU’s season—should head coach Kevin Young prioritize Hall’s experience or Demin’s immense potential? Hall had been to the tournament, but Demin was a projected top-five NBA Draft pick.
When BYU started Big 12 play 1-3, then fell to 2-4, Young made a call—Demin would start, while Hall’s minutes were reduced. The team’s ceiling seemed higher with the 6-foot-9 freshman running the offense.
But now, with BYU on the verge of a Sweet 16 appearance, the key factor hasn’t been choosing between Hall or Demin—it’s been their ability to thrive together.
Hall acknowledges he lost himself for a time.
“I was thinking too much instead of just playing basketball,” he said. “We’re both talented, we both know the game. We just overcomplicated it.”
Young believed Hall’s issue stemmed from a lack of aggression. In his first two seasons, Hall attempted over seven shots per game, serving as the focal point of Mark Pope’s offense, logging nearly 30 minutes a night and averaging over five assists.
Under Young, though, Demin took the reins. His height and vision made him one of the country’s best passers, creating scoring opportunities with pinpoint lobs and cross-court dimes.
Hall, now playing off the ball, looked hesitant. His shot attempts dropped to under five per game, and his efficiency suffered.
“He’s been reserved, for lack of a better term,” Young noted at the time.
Internally, Hall knew the assessment was fair. He even questioned if BYU was still the right place for him.
“Doubt creeps in—it’s part of life,” Hall admitted. “Overcoming it and choosing faith, that’s been my process this year. Just focusing on what I can control and helping the team in whatever way I can.”
Reflecting on his decision to return, Hall acknowledged the difficulty.
“It was a really tough choice,” he said. “I don’t love making decisions that big—ones that take a lot of time, prayer, and thought.”
To balance both guards, Young found a compromise. Demin would start, but Hall would enter after the first media timeout, allowing him to run the offense solo.
“We each get our own stretch as the true point guard,” Hall explained. “That’s helped put us both in a good rhythm.”
With this adjustment, Hall regained his aggressiveness—even when sharing the floor with Demin. He dropped 22 points against Iowa State and 16 against Kansas State, attacking the rim like he did in 2024, which in turn unlocked BYU’s offense.
To adapt, Hall refined his off-ball game. His three-point shooting returned to 36%, where it had been as a freshman.
“Attacking closeouts, taking more catch-and-shoot threes—that’s the formula,” he said.
The result? A strong backcourt duo. Hall provides stability when Demin struggles, and Young trusts them both in crunch time. With a deep 10-man rotation, Hall’s ability to anchor the second unit has been a game-changer.
“Now, we’re comfortable,” Hall said. “We can both play on or off the ball. We feel like we’re one of the best backcourts in the country.”
A year ago, Hall was golfing with Creighton’s Steven Ashworth. He could have followed his path—stepping into a leadership role for a Big East contender.
But he stayed. BYU was home.
Now, with the Cougars on the brink of a Sweet 16 appearance and Hall playing over 20 minutes a night, he knows he made the right decision.
“This season brought doubt,” Hall reflected. “But we pushed through. That’s who we are as a team.”
