Toughest Potential March Madness Matchups for BYU Basketball by Seed
Which teams pose the greatest threat to the Cougars?
It’s championship week, meaning brackets are being formed rapidly, tickets are being secured, and chaos is in full swing. BYU triumphed over Iowa State in their initial Big 12 tournament game and now faces an even greater challenge against Houston on Friday night.
With numerous games taking place daily, BYU’s exact position in the bracket is still uncertain. According to Bracket Matrix, they could be anywhere from a 5 to an 8 seed. Below are the toughest potential opponents they could face in each case:
5 Seed BYU
North Carolina may be the most well-known team at the 12 seed, but the Tar Heels have only won 1 out of 12 Quad 1 games. McNeese State, with a 19-1 conference record in the Southland, isn’t much better in Quad 1 games, going 0-2. However, under coach Will Wade, they’re playing their best basketball at the right time. They gave top-ranked Alabama a close game, losing by just eight points in November, and also nearly took down Mississippi State, falling by only three.
The Cowboys excel at forcing turnovers, attacking the offensive glass, and using a balanced scoring approach—critical traits for success in March. Their most alarming stat is their #2 ranking in “Kill Shots,” meaning they can suddenly go on a 10-0 run and put opponents in a deep hole.
Toughest Second Round Opponent: Maryland (4 Seed)
Maryland has only lost twice since January 19, with both defeats by just three points. If BYU faces them, it will be up to Fousseyni Traore and Keba Keita to contain Maryland’s freshman sensation, Derik Queen. Averaging over 15 points per game, Queen is a top 10 NBA draft prospect and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
6 Seed BYU
Toughest First Round Opponent: VCU (11 Seed)
Several tricky teams are placed in the 11 seed range. While Missouri Valley champions Drake could be a Cinderella story, VCU might be even tougher. With years of experience in a challenging conference, VCU wins most of their games by double digits.
The Rams are well-rounded, with four players averaging over 10 points, including Max Shulga, the A-10 player of the year. Shulga has hit over 40% of his three-pointers and could emerge as a March standout. VCU is also strong in the paint, ranking among the top 10 in offensive rebounding and blocked shots.
BYU might be favored, but facing the 11-seed A-10 champions for a second consecutive year could be a challenging rematch.
Toughest Second Round Opponent: Texas Tech (3 Seed)
This matchup offers BYU a chance for revenge, but it would require everything the Cougars have. Texas Tech ranks as the 7th-best team on KenPom and features Big 12 Player of the Year J.T. Toppin. Even without Toppin and head coach Grant McCasland for part of the game, the Red Raiders managed to win at Houston earlier this season. Texas Tech can match BYU’s hot shooting, as they make over 38% of their three-pointers.
7 Seed BYU
Toughest First Round Opponent: Utah State
This would be an exciting rivalry clash to start the tournament and finally settle who holds the best basketball program in the state. While teams like Baylor and Georgia, also around the 10 seed line, might be just as formidable, anything can happen in a rivalry game. BYU fans would likely want this matchup, but a victory would not be guaranteed.
Toughest Second Round Opponent: Alabama (2 Seed)
Alabama has been a powerhouse all season, making them a tough second-round opponent for BYU.
