No. 22 BYU Faces Must-Win Matchup at Baylor

Cougars look to end four-game skid against Bears in Waco

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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No. 22 BYU (17-6, 5-5) will travel to Waco, Texas to take on Baylor (13-10, 3-8) in a crucial matchup for the Cougars, who have lost four straight games. The game will tip off at 5 p.m. MST and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Why it matters

BYU is currently ranked No. 22 in the country but has fallen on hard times recently, dropping four consecutive games. A loss to Baylor would be a significant setback for the Cougars' NCAA Tournament hopes, making this a must-win game for the team.

The details

BYU is averaging 85.8 points per game this season but has struggled defensively, allowing 73.2 points per contest. Baylor, meanwhile, is scoring 83.4 points per game but has been susceptible on the defensive end, giving up 74.9 points per outing. The Cougars will need to get their offense back on track against the Bears, who are led by guard Cameron Carr, averaging 19.6 points per game.

  • The game will tip off at 5 p.m. MST on Tuesday, February 9, 2026.
  • BYU and Baylor last met in 2025.

The players

Rob Wright III

BYU point guard averaging 17.3 points and 5.0 assists per game. Played at Baylor last season.

Cameron Carr

Baylor guard averaging 19.6 points per game, including a 24-point, 5-three-pointer performance in Baylor's most recent game against Iowa State.

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What they’re saying

“We must come out focused and ready to play our best basketball against a tough Baylor team. This is a must-win game for us.”

— Rob Wright III, BYU Point Guard (ESPN)

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a significant step towards securing an NCAA Tournament berth, while the loser will face an uphill battle to make the Big Dance.

The takeaway

This game represents a crucial opportunity for BYU to get back on track and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. A loss would be a major setback, making this a must-win situation for the Cougars as they look to end their four-game skid.