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BYU Looks to Kickstart March Madness Run Against Weary Texas
Cougars aim to capitalize on Longhorns' travel schedule and defensive woes
Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:53pm
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When BYU takes on Texas in the NCAA Tournament's First Four, the Cougars will be looking to capitalize on a Longhorns squad that has endured a grueling travel schedule and defensive struggles in recent weeks. With star forward AJ Dybantsa leading the way, BYU believes it has the offensive firepower and defensive focus to advance past the opening round.
Why it matters
BYU is seeking to make a deep March Madness run, and getting past a talented but inconsistent Texas team in the First Four would be an important first step. The Cougars have the offensive weapons to exploit the Longhorns' defensive vulnerabilities, while their own defense has shown the ability to lock down top opponents when fully engaged.
The details
Over the last 96 hours, Texas has flown over 3,500 miles, including a late-night win in Dayton on Tuesday followed by a quick turnaround to prepare for BYU in Portland. Meanwhile, the Cougars enter the tournament having won 5 of their last 6 games, including a Big 12 tournament title. Defensively, Texas ranks outside the top 300 nationally in several key categories, which could allow BYU's scorers like Dybantsa and Robert Wright III to thrive. The Cougars' defense has also shown the ability to clamp down on top offenses when focused.
- On Monday, the Longhorns traveled from Austin, Texas to Dayton, Ohio.
- On Tuesday, Texas survived a late-game thriller against NC State that ended just before midnight local time.
- 12 hours later, the Texas squad had taken a 3 time-zone flight and were in Portland for media availability by 11:30 am.
The players
AJ Dybantsa
A first-team AP All-American and one of the top scorers in the country, Dybantsa is looking to lead BYU on a deep March Madness run.
Robert Wright III
BYU's starting guard who will look to take advantage of a Texas defense that struggles to protect the rim.
Texas Longhorns
The at-large bid team that survived the First Four and now faces a rested BYU squad in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
What’s next
The winner of the BYU-Texas matchup will advance to face the No. 3 seed in the West Region on Saturday.
The takeaway
BYU has the offensive firepower and defensive potential to capitalize on a weary Texas team and advance in the NCAA Tournament. If the Cougars can get a strong performance from star forward AJ Dybantsa, they could be poised for a deep March Madness run.
