A dramatic, late-game victory over NC State in the First Four has propelled the Texas Longhorns into a Round of 64 matchup against the BYU Cougars.
BYU’s Path to the Tournament
BYU entered Huge 12 play with a strong record, having lost only one game – a two-point contest against UConn. However, a challenging conference schedule and a key injury impacted their momentum. Guard Richie Saunders suffered a torn ACL in the opening minute of a February 14th game against Colorado, averaging 18 points per game at the time of the injury.
The Cougars went 4-5 in the nine games following Saunders’ injury, including losses to West Virginia and Cincinnati. They did manage to secure wins against Texas Tech and West Virginia later in the season.
AJ Dybantsa Leads BYU
Leading BYU is Big 12 Freshman of the Year AJ Dybantsa, a consensus All-American expected to be drafted into the NBA. Dybantsa has demonstrated a scoring prowess, including two games where he scored 40 points whereas shooting a combined 70.5 percent from the floor and hitting six three-pointers. He currently leads the nation in points per game and shoots 56.8 percent from inside the arc.
What’s Next for Texas?
Texas’s recent defensive performance against NC State was one of its most efficient of the year, and replicating that level of play could be crucial. Currently, Texas is a 2.5-point underdog, according to FanDuel, and ESPN’s matchup predictor gives BYU a 63-percent chance of winning. The game is scheduled for 6:25 p.m. Central on TBS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is at stake for Texas in this game?
A win would advance Texas to the Round of 32 for the fourth time in the last five years.
Who is BYU’s key player?
BYU is led by Big 12 Freshman of the Year AJ Dybantsa, who leads the nation in points per game.
When and where will the game be played?
The game will be played on Thursday at 6:25 p.m. Central on TBS.
Given the challenges both teams have faced, and the statistical projections, what factors do you believe will ultimately determine the outcome of the Texas versus BYU matchup?
