Projecting BYU Basketball’s March Madness Seed Using Expert Analysis

Let’s take a closer look at BYU basketball’s prospects and determine where they might land in the NCAA tournament.

The NCAA Tournament often brings out the best in a sport that many fans still overlook in favor of the NBA. I understand that the Inside the NBA crew is captivating TV, and it’s hard to imagine any other halftime or pregame show living up to it.

Unless you want to see Ernie Johnson desperately trying to catch Charles Barkley up on every team not named Auburn at the last moment.

BYU basketball has emerged as a strong contender in both the Big 12 and on the national stage, particularly since they turned things around in February, echoing Kansas State’s unexpected success against the conference’s powerhouses mid-season.

Here’s the idea: When the Cougars defeated the Wildcats and ended their hot streak, they absorbed the momentum of Kevin Young’s team. This is why both teams defeated Iowa State in Ames, as well as Kansas and Arizona — Richie Saunders looked across the bar and confidently said, “I’ll have what he’s having!”

Who are we to deny a man his request?

Now, with the Big 12 Tournament nearing its official start, the Cougars are secure in the fourth seed and will enjoy a double-bye in the bracket format. Surrounded by teams like Houston, Arizona, Texas Tech, and Iowa State, BYU has arrived — there’s no denying it. Credit to Kevin Young and his team for finding their rhythm and elevating their game to compete with the best.

While BYU’s tournament run is thrilling, the real question is how they’ll navigate the field of 68. A tournament lock, the 22-8 Cougars are currently ranked 23rd in the AP Poll (likely to climb if they defeat Utah), and still have room to improve their seeding.

Currently, the Cougars’ first Big 12 Tournament matchup is likely to be a heated contest against the Iowa State Cyclones. No one will blame BYU for losing to such a strong team. However, a victory could significantly improve their seeding chances.

I’d love to predict BYU’s tournament seeding based on my own analysis and months of carefully crafted statistics. I’d probably spend hours in a dimly lit library with nothing but a candle and my laptop to perfect my projections.

But I’ll defer to the insights of professionals instead.

Bracketology Projections for BYU Basketball

The projections are based on the latest Bracketology data available.

Joe Lunardi, ESPN: 7 seed

Craig Meyer, USA Today: 7 seed

Jerry Palm, CBS: 7 seed

I’m noticing a trend here.

I believe the 7-seed is the baseline for BYU, assuming they defeat rival Utah on Saturday. If the Cougars navigate the Big 12 tournament successfully, a 6-seed is possible, especially if they beat Iowa State and Houston. Win the whole thing, and a 5-seed becomes a real possibility.

That being said, I predict the Cougars will hold steady at a 7-seed, hoping for a favorable first-round matchup.