Why BYU Basketball Will Be a Strong Cinderella Pick in the NCAA Tournament

This year, the glass slipper fits perfectly for the BYU basketball team in the NCAA Tournament.

For college basketball fans, few things are more exciting than filling out their NCAA Tournament brackets and choosing an unexpected Cinderella team. While creating a bracket filled with high-seeded powerhouses in the Sweet 16 may seem safe, it can be monotonous and not always yield the best results.

Every year, we see 12-seeds take down 5-seeds. Last year, for example, 11-seed North Carolina State shocked No. 6 Texas Tech and No. 4 Duke to reach the Final Four. In 2023, 15-seed Princeton stunned 2-seed Arizona before eliminating 7-seed Missouri to make it to the Sweet 16. In 2022, 11-seed Michigan pulled off two major upsets to make the Sweet 16.

As the NCAA Tournament nears, it’s almost certain that another Cinderella story will emerge, making waves in the tournament.

For many college basketball fans, this year’s Cinderella team will likely be the BYU Cougars.

BYU

Feb 11, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young talks to his team during a timeout during the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Why BYU Could Be This Year’s Cinderella

If you’re following BYU basketball, you’re aware that Kevin Young’s team is currently one of the most impressive squads in the country. The Cougars have won seven straight conference games, including a dominant win over No. 23 Kansas at home, and two significant road victories at No. 19 Arizona and No. 10 Iowa State.

Torvik rankings recently named BYU the sixth-best team in the country during this winning stretch, positioning them among other teams that are likely to receive high seeds in the NCAA Tournament.

Kansas coach Bill Self also praised BYU, noting after the Cougars’ 34-point victory over Kansas, “I think BYU could have beaten anybody tonight.”

BYU will be a popular Cinderella choice because they won’t have a top seed in their bracket. If they land a No. 7 seed, they’d certainly be a Cinderella story with a deep run. In this case, they’d likely be favored in their first-round matchup against a No. 10 seed, but in the Round of 32, they would likely face a No. 2 seed. To reach the Sweet 16, BYU would probably need to overcome a No. 3 seed.

That’s the essence of a Cinderella run.

Kevin Young’s team has already proven they can defeat elite teams like Iowa State on the road, and if they get hot, they can compete with almost anyone on a neutral court.

Add in the fact that BYU’s roster features experienced veterans, many of whom are eager to redeem themselves after last year’s disappointing tournament exit, and you have the recipe for a Cinderella story.

Moreover, BYU has received significant national attention lately due to their successful football season, their rise in the Big 12, and the signing of top recruit AJ Dybantsa. Casual fans, who may not closely follow college basketball but still complete brackets, have likely heard more about BYU in recent months, making them a familiar and appealing pick for a deep tournament run.

It wouldn’t be surprising if March Madness fans choose BYU as this year’s Cinderella pick.

Let’s just hope the clock doesn’t strike midnight.