BYU became the team no one wants to face in the NCAA Tournament originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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BYU may not have had the season many expected in the preseason, but the Cougars are rapidly becoming the type of team few opponents will want to see in their NCAA Tournament bracket.
Despite falling short of a Big 12 Tournament title in Kansas City, BYU left the week looking like one of the most dangerous teams in the country. The Cougars battled through a grueling stretch and showed a level of resilience that could translate well to March.
Much of the reason stems from freshman star AJ Dybantsa, who delivered a historic performance during the conference tournament. Dybantsa scored 93 points across three games, setting a Big 12 Tournament record. He opened the week with a 40-point performance before adding 27 and 26 points in the following games, showcasing his ability to carry the offense against elite competition.
Even in a loss to Houston, one of the nation’s top defensive teams, Dybantsa still managed 26 points while playing heavy minutes for the third consecutive night.
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The bigger picture makes BYU’s run even more impressive. The Cougars have endured a season riddled with injuries, including six season-ending losses to key players. Among them was All-American candidate Richie Saunders, who earned first-team All-Big 12 honors a year ago.
Those setbacks could have derailed the season, but BYU has continued to compete at a high level. Dybantsa has embraced the increased responsibility, playing nearly every minute while leading the nation in scoring and contributing across the stat sheet with rebounds and assists.
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As a result, BYU enters the NCAA Tournament as a potential nightmare matchup. With a generational scorer in Dybantsa and a team that has already weathered adversity, the Cougars have the makeup of a dangerous opponent capable of disrupting any bracket.
It's clear Dybantsa hasn't packed it in and moved on to prepping for the 2026 NBA Draft. He has unfinished business with the Cougars ready to pull off a few upsets.
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