Bracketology: BYU’s Final Forecast on Selection Sunday
Bracketology, BYU Basketball, NCAA Tournament, Selection Sunday…
PROVO, Utah — We’ve reached the end of Bracketology for the 2025 season. It’s finally Selection Sunday.
BYU is safely in the NCAA Tournament with a 24-9 record, having won nine of its last ten games.
The key question for BYU is what seed they will get.
Their resume seems to support a 5-seed placement. However, since BYU doesn’t play on Sundays, half of the bracket may be unavailable to them. Could that push them down to a 6-seed, like last year?
Possible host cities for BYU’s First Round games include Denver, Colorado; Wichita, Kansas; Lexington, Kentucky; and Providence, Rhode Island.
The two regions that BYU could land in are the East, with Thursday/Saturday regional games in Newark, New Jersey, and the West in San Francisco.
Let’s examine the final Bracketology projections before the official 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket is announced.
ESPN/Joe Lunardi Bracketology: 5-seed in Providence vs. First Four opponent
A 5-seed would be BYU’s best seed since 2011, which is a positive. However, the downside of this forecast is traveling to Providence, Rhode Island, two time zones away, and not knowing their opponent until Tuesday night.
Rocco Miller (Bracketeer): 6-seed in Wichita vs. Drake
In Miller’s Bracketology from Friday, BYU would face Drake, an 11-seed with 30 wins, just 5.5 hours from BYU’s campus. This would be an intriguing matchup.
CBS Sports: 7-seed in Providence vs. Vanderbilt
If BYU receives a 7-seed, it would be a letdown for the Cougars.
NCAA.com/Andy Katz: 5-seed vs. First Four opponent
A 5-seed would be an ideal scenario for BYU. However, the uncertainty of not knowing their opponent until Tuesday night is a challenge. Katz lists potential First Four opponents for BYU as mid-majors VCU and George Mason.
FOX Sports: 6-seed vs. VCU
Mike DeCourcey’s bracket includes compelling storylines. VCU, led by former Utah State coach Ryan Odom, could face BYU, with a possible Round of 32 matchup against former BYU coach Mark Pope and Kentucky.
Heat Check CBB: 6-seed in Wichita vs. First Four opponent
This forecast has Indiana and Boise State as BYU’s potential First Four opponents. Notably, if BYU advances past the Round of 64, they might face a rematch with Big 12 foe Texas Tech in the Round of 32.
Regarding potential rematches in the Round of 32, the NCAA Committee may arrange such matchups if a team hasn’t faced another twice. So, BYU likely won’t be in the same quadrant as Iowa State, as they’ve already played each other twice this season.
BYU’s only meeting with Texas Tech was on January 7 in Provo, with Texas Tech winning.
Fan poll: 6-seed
In an X poll of 1,300 fans, the majority believe BYU will receive a 6-seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
My Prediction: 6-seed in Lexington vs. First Four opponent
I wouldn’t be surprised if BYU is listed as a 5-seed on the final list, but due to Sunday play, they may end up as a 6-seed.
BYU’s Opponents in Bracketology
Eight of BYU’s opponents for the 2024-25 season appear in the composite Bracketology compiled by the Bracket Matrix.
Here’s where those teams are ranked in the Bracket Matrix aggregate:
Houston: 1-seed
Texas Tech: 3-seed
Iowa State: 3-seed
Arizona: 4-seed
Ole Miss: 5-seed
Kansas: 7-seed
Baylor: 9-seed
West Virginia: 10-seed
