BYU basketball looks to end losing streak in NCAA Tournament games.
The Cougars are ready to make a strong push in the tournament, starting with the first game.
Do you recall the last time BYU basketball won a tournament game? It’s been a while. And by a while, I mean 6,832,000 minutes. That’s 12 years, 11 months, and 25 days since BYU last celebrated a win on the sport’s biggest stage, and let’s face it – it was a First Four game between 14 seeds.
It’s surprising to think the Cougars were an at-large bid as a 14 seed, but that’s the past, and the future is now. A lot of time has passed since BYU made a noteworthy impact on the NCAA tournament, and they are eager to shake off the rust from their disappointing history on the grandest stage.
This year, the nation’s attention will be on the Cougars, and a win could be in the cards for them.
Last year’s upset loss to Duquesne exposed several of the program’s flaws, and against a tough, gritty Duquesne team, Mark Pope’s BYU squad couldn’t dig themselves out of the hole they dug early in the game.
As a six-seed, the Cougars dropped to an 11-seed for the third straight year – BYU seems to have poor luck against 11-seeds. But since the post-Jimmer era, this program has struggled to make a mark in March.
Enter Kevin Young and his talented team.
BYU, one of the fastest-improving teams in basketball, has finally found its identity after a slow start in conference play suggested another challenging season. With draft prospect Egor Demin leading at point guard, Richie Saunders by his side, and a talented group of players supporting each other, this team is far more than a typical church-ball squad from Provo.
This is a team that could make a serious run if they come together.
With victories over Baylor, Arizona, Kansas, Iowa State, and others, BYU has earned their place on the map. And with a coach who’s been to the NBA Finals, I’d say the pressure of the moment is nothing new for BYU’s rookie head coach.
Fed up with losing and aiming for something greater, Young and his team lead Brigham Young into battle, hopeful that this year will be different.
By all accounts, this year must be different.