1 / 5

BYU sophomore guard Dallin Hall goes through drills at practice for the NCAA Tournament at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb., on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

2 / 5

BYU senior guard Spencer Johnson greets young Cougar fans in Omaha on Wednesday, March 20, in front of the CHI Health Center.

Courtesy BYU Photo

3 / 5

BYU's Trey Stewart, left, interviews teammate Richie Saunders after practice in Omaha for the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

4 / 5

BYU men's basketball coach Mark Pope addresses his team during practice for the NCAA Tournament at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb., on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

5 / 5

BYU's Fousseyni Traore, center, does an interview after practice for the NCAA Tournament at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb., on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

❮ ❯

Has the weekly grind of the Big 12 regular season prepared the BYU men’s basketball team for the NCAA Tournament?

We’re about to find out.

One of the biggest drawbacks for the Cougars while playing in other conferences during their history (Western Athletic, Mountain West, West Coast, for example) is that there were very few Quad 1 or Quad 2 games available during the regular season. When BYU got to the NCAA Tournament, they were usually facing a power conference team for the first time since the preseason.

There’s a reason the Cougars haven’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 2012.

This season while competing in the Big 12, BYU finished 11-6 against Quad 1 and Quad 2 teams and earned a No. 12 NET ranking while slugging its way through a challenging 18-game conference slate.

This Cougar team should be battle tested.

“Before we jumped to the Big 12, I always used to say it was terrifying, just the prospect of it.,” BYU coach Mark Pope said. “After the 18 games, I totally concur with that assessment. It’s terrifying, but it’s also awesome. As a competitor, it’s what you dream about is the opportunity to play against great, great teams every single night.

“Listen, there’s a lot of great teams around the country in all different conferences at all different levels. It just so happens the Big 12 has a bunch of them stuffed together in the same collection where you see them every single night. I’m really proud of my staff. Those guys have been at it for the last two years trying to prepare and figure out how we could carve out just our own little niche in that league and find a way to survive.”

The BYU players have learned to ride out the ups and downs of competing in the toughest league in America.

“Playing in the Big 12 is a new experience, and I loved it,” Cougar sophomore guard Dallin Hall said. “It was a fantastic experience. We got challenged every single night. It’s super physical league, very talented. I think it prepares us well. Ultimately, once you get into the NCAA tournament, it’s 0-0, fresh start for everyone. You have to be on your A-game to win in this tournament. So we’re excited to step up to that challenge.”

The No. 6 seed Cougars face off Thursday morning at Omaha’s CHI Health Center against No. 11 seed Duquesne, a hot team that has won 11 of 12 and eight games in a row. The Dukes, which finished sixth in the Atlantic 10, stormed through the conference tournament to win four games and earned the league’s automatic NCAA bid. Their head coach, Keith Dambrot, announced his retirement on Monday.

Duquesne is 80th in the NET rankings and 8-8 against Quad 1 and Quad 2 teams.

Star guard Dae Dae Grant was asked what BYU should be concerned about when playing his Dukes.

“To be honest, man, that would be on them and their scouting report,” he said. “I don’t think we really focus on what they are focusing on for us. We really just game plan to do what we have to do to try and stop them and get our things done. Shoot, we’re an up-tempo team. We like to defend and be physical as well as try and execute on offense. We have guards that can go as well as guys who can score in the low end and in the post as well. I mean, you could look for all-around aspect. We have guys who can shoot, guard, defend. It will be a fun game, man.”

BYU has previous displayed dominance against teams outside the power conferences. In the preseason, the Cougars were 10-0 against non-power conference teams and won those ten games by an average of 35 points.

Of course, only one of those ten teams (San Diego State) made the Big Dance.

As we hear every March, anything can happen in the NCAA Tournament.

I think Selection Sunday was kind of that moment seeing our team up on the screen realizing since I’ve been a little kid, this has been my dream,” Hall said. “As far as embracing the moment, I got some good leaders sitting next to me, some in the locker room, and a coaching staff that has prepared me this whole year. I’m leaning on those guys and then just trying to embrace the moment. That’s what I’ve always tried to do my whole life is just enjoy it, be present and focus on the process because that’s what translates.”

Once the ball is tipped, as the song “One Shining Moment” goes, there you are.

“I think our guys are loose,” Pope said. “I think they’re full of energy. Certainly they’re going to feel all of the juice that comes with playing in this tournament, but I think they’re pretty prepared to deal with those emotions. I think we’re just so eager to kind of race out and kind of jump in the fray of this tournament and see what we can do. I feel like our guys are in a good spot.”

Men’s College Basketball

NCAA Tournament First Round

No. 6 BYU (23-10) vs. No. 11 Duquesne (24-11)

Thursday, 10:40 a.m. MT

CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb.

TV: TruTV

Streaming: CBS.com

Radio: Sirius XM 143/BYU Radio.org/BYU Radio app/KSL 102.7 FM/1160 AM

Live stats: byucougars.com

The Word: BYU has three players (Jaxson Robinson, Spencer Johnson and Trevin Knell) who have NCAA Tournament experience. … The Dukes are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1977. … According to KenPom.com, the Cougars are on pace to become one of four high majors to ever attempt more 3s than 2s. … The winner of Thursday’s game will play the Illinois-Morehead State winner on Saturday in the Round of 32.

Newsletter