Texas vs. BYU — Round of 64 March Madness Preview

PORTLAND, Ore. — Sixth‑seed BYU and 11th‑seed Texas collide Thursday in the West Region’s first round at the Moda Center, setting up a classic contrast in styles and storylines. BYU brings a balanced attack and strong efficiency metrics after a 23–11 season in the Big 12, while Texas arrives with momentum from a dramatic First Four win in Dayton, where a last‑second jumper secured advancement.

Game Info

• Matchup: BYU vs. Texas
• Region: West Region
• Location: Moda Center — Portland, Oregon
• TV: TBS (per broadcast announcements)
• Tip Time: 4:25 p.m. PT / 7:25 p.m. ET
• Vegas Line / Total: BYU favored by a few points; moderate total

BYU Cougars (6 Seed)

• Head Coach: Kevin Young
• Mascot: Cougars
• Record: 23–11 (2025–26)
• Conference Tournament Result: Lost in Big 12 Tournament quarters
• Leading Scorer: AJ Dybantsa — ~25.3 PPG

Metrics

• KenPom Ranking: No. 23 overall; Adj. Offensive ~116.2; Adj. Defensive ~102.0
• NET Ranking: ~23 per multiple sources tying BYU around that mark
• Offensive Efficiency: Top ~10 nationally (KenPom AdjO)
• Defensive Efficiency: ~57th nationally (KenPom AdjD)
• 3‑Point %: ~36–37% (team shooting trend)

Texas Longhorns (11 Seed)

• Head Coach: Sean Miller
• Mascot: Longhorns
• Record: 19–14 (2025–26)
• Conference Tournament Result: Lost in SEC Tournament early (inferred from recent coverage)
• Leading Scorer: Dailyn Swain — ~17.7 PPG; also Matas Vokietaitis ~15 PPG

Metrics

• KenPom Ranking: ~No. 37 overall; Adj. Offensive ~18th; Adj. Defensive ~95th
• NET Ranking: ~42 per recent preview
• Offensive Efficiency: Strong (top 20 via KenPom)
• Defensive Efficiency: ~95th nationally
• 3‑Point %: ~35% (season trend, lower than BYU defensively)

Matchup Summary

BYU’s metrics reveal a team built on efficient scoring and solid defense, with AJ Dybantsa pacing a balanced offensive attack. Their ranking in KenPom’s top 25 reflects strong performance against a challenging Big 12 schedule.

Texas, meanwhile, backed into the main field via a wild First Four victory — a last‑second jumper secured a 68‑66 win over NC State — and now pivots quickly to face BYU. The Longhorns lean on solid offensive efficiency, particularly inside the arc and on the offensive glass, but their defense has been less consistent all season.

This sets up a clash of strengths: BYU’s consistency and balance against Texas’ inside scoring and rebounding. The Cougars’ efficiency edge and better defensive profile suggest they should control tempo and limit Texas’ transition opportunities.

Prediction

• Pick: BYU advances
• Projected Score: BYU 78, Texas 71

BYU’s slightly higher KenPom and NET metrics align with Vegas expectations for a close but Cougar‑favored game. If Texas can impose its rebounding and scoring inside, this could tighten late — but BYU’s balance and perimeter shooting should make the difference.