The First Round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament delivers an interesting matchup as Texas carries the energy of a dramatic First Four win into a meeting with BYU. The Longhorns survived a tight finish against NC State on Tuesday, while BYU enters with one of the nation’s most explosive offenses and a star freshman drawing national attention. Here, I break down this Texas vs BYU matchup and make my pick for it from a betting perspective.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNrrF7-KRCI
Texas enters this game after a 68-66 win in the First Four, a result that highlighted both its grit and inconsistency. The Longhorns controlled stretches of that game but nearly let it slip late, showing issues with closing out opponents. Still, the quick turnaround can be a positive, as the team is already in game rhythm.
BYU, on the other hand, comes in rested and features one of the highest-scoring offenses in the country. The Cougars have leaned heavily on perimeter shooting and fast-paced play, averaging well over 80 points per game this season. Their ability to stretch defenses with shooting creates problems for opponents lacking a consistent defensive structure.
Stat | Texas | BYU |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 83.3 | 83.9 |
Points allowed per game | 76.5 | 75.3 |
Team Field Goal % | 48% | 48% |
Rebounds per game | 37.9 | 38.3 |
Assists per game | 12.2 | 13.5 |
Texas deserves credit for surviving a high-pressure First Four game, but the turnaround and travel create a difficult setup against a rested BYU squad. The Longhorns have shown they can compete physically and control the boards, though their offensive efficiency remains inconsistent.
BYU’s scoring ceiling is the difference. With elite shot creation from Dybantsa and strong perimeter shooting, the Cougars are built to exploit defensive lapses. Texas has struggled defensively at times this season, and that issue could surface against a high-tempo offense. While Texas may keep it close early, BYU’s scoring depth and fresher legs should carry them late, making the Cougars my top pick against the spread.
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