Sun Feb 23 04:20:00 UTC 2025: **BYU Cougars Aim for Upset Against Arizona After Stunning Kansas Victory**
TUCSON, Ariz. – Riding high after a historic 91-57 rout of Kansas, the BYU Cougars are heading to Arizona for a crucial two-game road trip that could solidify their NCAA Tournament chances. First-year coach Kevin Young’s team has surged into national prominence, appearing in all 108 brackets in the latest Bracket Matrix projections and cracking the top 30 in both the NCAA’s NET rankings and Kenpom.com ratings.
The Cougars’ impressive win over Kansas, coupled with their current three-game winning streak, has propelled them to a 9-6 record in the Big 12 – three games above .500 for the first time ever in the conference. However, their upcoming matchups against No. 19 Arizona on Saturday and Arizona State on Wednesday present a significant challenge.
A win against Arizona, who beat BYU 85-74 earlier this season, would all but secure BYU’s NCAA Tournament berth and boost their seeding in the Big 12 tournament. While acknowledging BYU’s recent success, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd emphasized the importance of focusing on the present, stating that the Cougars are a “good team…capable of winning in McKale.”
The game will be a rematch of a February clash won by Arizona, but BYU believes they’ve improved since then, particularly in terms of physicality. Coach Young highlighted the need for his team to match Arizona’s intensity and maintain the confidence that fueled their victory over Kansas.
Despite Arizona being favored, BYU’s players express excitement for the challenge and the opportunity to compete in the hostile McKale Center environment. Their confidence is bolstered by the recent strong performances of backup point guard Dallin Hall, who believes that consistent effort on the road is the key to continued success. The Cougars are hoping to continue their momentum and prove that their recent success is not a fluke. The game tips off Saturday at 8 p.m. MST on ESPN.
First Piper 