8. BYU Cougars
Coach Kevin Young’s NBA-style rebuild is ahead of schedule. Top recruit A.J. Dybantsa headlines alongside transfers Robert Wright III and Kennard Davis Jr. With elite shooting from Richie Saunders, BYU is ready to contend in the Big 12.
Many consider Young’s first season a success, but the pressure is on for continued greatness from an emerging giant in college basketball. Young has said he wants his program to turn into a small NBA factory, which feeds into the league even after one season.
That’s what the team looked like in the NCAA Tournament loss, very athletic, but not alot ability to stop the opposition. Young will certainly look to improve on his team’s defensive effort this season.
The Cougars start the season with a power program in the Villanova Wildcats, who are part of the 2025 Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas. BYU also gets UConn, Wisconsin, Miami, and Clemson in the nonconference portion of the 2025-26 season.
- Head Coach: Kevin Young (2nd season)
- Home Arena: Marriott Center; Provo, UT.
- 2024-25 Record: 26-10
- 2024-25 Conference Record: 14-6
- 2024-25 Advancement: Reached NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Following wins over VCU and Wisconsin, the Cougars allowed 113 in a 25 point loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, which finished their season in Newark.
- Leading scorer: Richie Saunders, 16.5 per game
- Leading rebounder: Keba Kieta, 7.9 per game
- First Game: Monday, November 3rd, 2025 vs. Villanova (Vegas)