Bracketology: BYU Matched With Familiar Rivals in Latest Projections
PROVO, Utah – As March approaches, Bracketology projections are heating up.
BYU basketball is also gaining momentum. The Cougars have won five straight games and are heading into the final three regular-season contests with high hopes.
Thanks to their streak, Kevin Young’s team finds itself in a position where they could earn a home white uniform in the NCAA Tournament.
With three games remaining in the regular season, BYU stands at 20-8 overall.
Their team metrics look promising. They’re ranked 28th in the NET, 27th in KenPom, and 29th in WAB (Wins Above Bubble).
The Cougars hold a 9-8 record against teams from Quad 1 and Quad 2.
BYU is a tough team to place in the NCAA Tournament due to their policy of not competing on Sundays. As a result, half of the bracket is unavailable to them.
Thursday/Saturday NCAA Tournament first and second-round games will be held in Lexington, Kentucky; Providence, Rhode Island; Wichita, Kansas; and Denver, Colorado.
ESPN/Joe Lunardi Bracketology: 8-seed vs. Utah State
A matchup between BYU and Utah State would be an exciting one. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has projected the Cougars to face the Aggies for the second time this week in his bracket.
Rocco Miller (Bracketeer): 8-seed vs. New Mexico
BYU and New Mexico have been fierce rivals from their time in the WAC and Mountain West Conferences. The Lobos are currently leading the Mountain West with a 14-3 record.
CBS Sports: 8-seed vs. Utah State
CBS’ Jerry Palm also has BYU set to play Utah State, with the game taking place in Wichita, Kansas, and Houston being the No. 1 seed.
Heat Check CBB: 8-seed vs. Vanderbilt
In a different bracket projection, BYU is matched up with Vanderbilt, one of the 13 SEC teams featured in Heat Check CBB’s Bracketology.
FOX Sports: 8-seed vs. New Mexico
BYU went undefeated (2-0) against Mountain West Conference teams during the nonconference portion of the season.
Blogging the Bracket: 8-seed vs. New Mexico
Imagine a thrilling run to the Final Four in this bracket. It could include games against New Mexico, a current Big 12 opponent in Houston, former WCC foe Saint Mary’s in the Sweet 16, and possibly a matchup with former BYU coach Mark Pope and his Kentucky Wildcats in the Elite Eight.
JBR Bracketology: 8-seed vs. Gonzaga
BYU’s old rival from the WCC, Gonzaga, is having an unusual season, having lost four games in the conference this year.
TeamRankings: 8-seed
TeamRankings now gives BYU a 93% chance of making the NCAA Tournament, an increase of 18% following wins over Kansas and Arizona last week.
Where BYU basketball opponents stand in Bracketology
Eight of BYU’s 2024-25 opponents are featured in the composite bracketology compiled by the Bracket Matrix.
Here’s where these
teams rank in the Bracket Matrix aggregate.
