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BYU's Dybantsa Dominates as Cougars Upset Texas in March Madness
Superstar freshman leads BYU to victory over higher-seeded Longhorns in West Region first-round matchup
Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:12am
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In a first-round March Madness matchup in the West Region, the No. 6 seed BYU Cougars upset the No. 11 seed Texas Longhorns behind a dominant performance from superstar freshman AJ Dybantsa. Dybantsa poured in a game-high 29 points, hitting key shots from the perimeter and attacking the rim to draw fouls, as BYU pulled away late to secure the victory.
Why it matters
This win marks a significant upset in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, as the Cougars were able to overcome a higher-seeded opponent behind Dybantsa's heroics. BYU's ability to exploit Texas' defensive weaknesses and get to the free-throw line proved to be the difference, setting up an intriguing second-round matchup for the Cougars.
The details
Dybantsa led the way for BYU, scoring 29 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three-point range. He also got to the free-throw line 10 times, converting 9 of those attempts. Texas struggled to contain Dybantsa, who took advantage of the Longhorns' porous perimeter defense and foul-prone nature. BYU also got a strong supporting effort from Richie Saunders, who chipped in 15 points.
- The game was played on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
- Dybantsa scored 26 points in BYU's previous game against Houston on March 15.
The players
AJ Dybantsa
A superstar freshman forward for the BYU Cougars, Dybantsa led the nation in scoring during the 2025-26 season and has carried the Cougars' offense all year.
Richie Saunders
A key contributor for BYU, Saunders provided valuable scoring support to Dybantsa in the Cougars' upset win over Texas.
Matas Vokietaitis
The starting center for the Texas Longhorns, Vokietaitis struggled to contain Dybantsa and stay out of foul trouble throughout the game.
What they’re saying
“AJ Dybantsa is just a special player. He took the game over when we needed him most and led us to this big win.”
— Richie Saunders, BYU Forward
“We just couldn't find an answer for Dybantsa. He was getting to the rim, knocking down threes, and living at the free-throw line. Hats off to him and BYU, they deserved this win.”
— Chris Beard, Texas Head Coach
What’s next
BYU will advance to face the winner of the Gonzaga-VCU matchup in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 21.
The takeaway
This upset victory showcases BYU's ability to compete with high-major programs, led by the superstar play of freshman AJ Dybantsa. The Cougars' ability to exploit Texas' defensive weaknesses and get to the free-throw line proved to be the difference, setting up an intriguing second-round clash for the Cinderella squad.
