{"id":212646,"date":"2026-03-20T08:05:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T08:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/212646\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T08:05:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T08:05:36","slug":"byu-suffers-79-71-upset-loss-to-texas-in-the-ncaa-tournament-deseret-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/212646\/","title":{"rendered":"BYU suffers 79-71 upset loss to Texas in the NCAA Tournament \u2013 Deseret News"},"content":{"rendered":"

PORTLAND, Ore. \u2014 BYU\u2019s trip to the Big Dance has come to an abrupt end.<\/p>\n

The 6-seeded Cougars added a new entry to their long list of NCAA Tournament first-round losses, suffering a 79-71 upset at the hands of the 11-seeded Texas Longhorns Thursday at Portland\u2019s Moda Center.<\/p>\n

BYU finishes the season 23-12 \u2014 and with the most bitter of tastes in its mouth.<\/p>\n

3 takeaways<\/p>\n

BYU was blown out in the rebounding department. Texas out-rebounded the Cougars by a 40-31 margin, including a 21-11 difference in the first half alone.<\/p>\n

But it was 16 offensive rebounds for the Longhorns that ultimately buried BYU, as Texas followed its own misses with 16 second chance points.<\/p>\n

The Cougars had no answer for Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis, who scored 23 points down low while grabbing 16 boards.<\/p>\n

Conversely, BYU\u2019s own starting big man Keba Keita ended the night with just five rebounds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 1 of 53<\/p>\n

Texas head coach Sean Miller calls out to his players during a first-round college basketball game against BYU in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 2 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU head coach Kevin Young looks to the floor as a play unfolds against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 3 of 53<\/p>\n

Texas head coach Sean Miller calls out to his players during a first-round college basketball game against BYU in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 4 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU head coach Kevin Young looks to the floor as a play unfolds against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 5 of 53<\/p>\n

Texas head coach Sean Miller calls out to his players during a first-round college basketball game against BYU in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 6 of 53<\/p>\n

Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer to end the first half during a first-round college basketball game against BYU in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 7 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU center Keba Keita (13) dunks the ball against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 8 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) talks with his teammates as they huddle during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 9 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) lays the ball up past Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 10 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives the ball toward the basket while guarded by Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 11 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) gestures to his teammates as he brings the ball up the court during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 12 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU head coach Kevin Young calls out to his players during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 13 of 53<\/p>\n

The ball bobbles in the hands of BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as he drives toward the basket between Texas guard Tramon Mark, left, and guard Jordan Pope, right, during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 14 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) defends Texas guard Jordan Pope (0) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 15 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU fans cheer after a play against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 16 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts to a referee\u2019s call during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 17 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) goes up for a dunk against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 18 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU guard Richie Saunders looks to fans offering items for him to sign before a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 19 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) lays the ball up past Texas guard Jordan Pope (0) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 20 of 53<\/p>\n

Texas fans cheer at the end of the first half during a first-round college basketball game against BYU in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 21 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) goes up for a shot against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 22 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU guard Aleksej Kosti\u0107 (6) lays the ball up while guarded by Texas forward Camden Heide (5) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 23 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts to a referee\u2019s call as he stands beside Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 24 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) controls the ball while guarded by Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 25 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) listens to head coach Kevin Young during a timeout in a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 26 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU center Keba Keita (13) guards Texas center Matas Vokietaitis (8) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 27 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) lays the ball up past Texas defenders during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 28 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) guards Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 29 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives the ball to the basket past Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 30 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks the ball during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 31 of 53<\/p>\n

A BYU fan reacts after a play against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 32 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU fans react to a goaltending call during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 33 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 34 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) calls out to his teammates as they get back on defense against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 35 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) lays the ball up past Texas guard Jordan Pope (0) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 36 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU center Keba Keita (13) fouls Texas center Matas Vokietaitis (8) on his shot after he made an offensive rebound during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 37 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) grimaces after being roughed up on a play against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 38 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) guards Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 39 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) falls back after being fouled by Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 40 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) gestures to the crowd after the Cougars were eliminated by Texas 79-71 in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 41 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) gestures to the crowd after the Cougars were eliminated by Texas 79-71 in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 42 of 53<\/p>\n

Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) controls the ball while guarded by BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 43 of 53<\/p>\n

A shot from BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) is blocked by Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 44 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) takes a jump-shot during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 45 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) looks to the scoreboard as he huddles with his teammates between the action against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 46 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) lays the ball up while guarded by Texas guard Chendall Weaver (2) and center Matas Vokietaitis (8) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 47 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) recovers a loose ball during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 48 of 53<\/p>\n

Ben Bringhurst, of Provo, uses his phone as he waits before a first-round college basketball game between BYU and Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 49 of 53<\/p>\n

A BYU fan sports an AJ Dybantsa jacket as he and others walk around before a first-round college basketball game between BYU and Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 50 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa warms up with assistant coach John Linehan before a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 51 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU fans walk by the Moda Center before a first-round college basketball game between BYU and Texas in the NCAA Tournament held in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 52 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa takes a jump-shot as he warms up before a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News \"\"<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery: 53 of 53<\/p>\n

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa huddles with coaches and players during warmups before a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News <\/p>\n

AJ Dybantsa met the moment, but he didn\u2019t receive enough help. Thursday will be Dybantsa\u2019s sole appearance in the NCAA Tournament, but he made sure to leave a lasting impression despite the loss.<\/p>\n

BYU\u2019s freshman phenom finished with a game-high 35 points to pair with 10 rebounds, shooting 11 for 25 from the field and a perfect 12 of 12 from the foul line.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for Dybantsa, his teammates combined to outscore him by just a single point \u2014 36 to 35.<\/p>\n

In all, the Cougars shot 43% from the field and a startling 18% from 3-point range, missed 11 layups and barely averaged a single point per possession.<\/p>\n

Both the game and season as a whole represent major missed opportunities for the Cougars. Specific to Thursday, BYU was the higher seeded team and held a clear rest advantage, while Texas was playing its second do-or-die contest in a 48-hour span with a cross-country red eye flight sandwiched in between. <\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t matter. BYU fell asleep at the wheel too many times on Thursday, especially defensively, and allowed the exhausted Longhorns to appear anything but.<\/p>\n

But the sting of Thursday dwindles in comparison to the total frustration felt at the end of a campaign that began as the most anticipated in program history.<\/p>\n

BYU opened the year ranked No. 8 in the preseason poll, then won 17 of its first 19 games. The dreams of a deep NCAA Tournament run felt more than attainable. <\/p>\n

What came next was an unprecedented collapse, as the Cougars lost 11 of their final 18 outings and went from protected seed territory to the wrong side of a March upset.<\/p>\n

BYU\u2019s injury luck was poor. Richie Saunders\u2019 torn ACL will live on as a painful \u201cwhat if\u201d in the hearts of Cougar fans.<\/p>\n

But BYU\u2019s struggles can\u2019t be pinned entirely on injuries. The Cougars weren\u2019t good enough defensively. They couldn\u2019t stay consistent. They dug themselves into too many deep holes early in games, a habit they stopped being able to overcome.<\/p>\n

From the end of January onward, there just seemed to be a serious funk surrounding the group, one that was only escaped from a handful of times.<\/p>\n

Dybantsa, the author of one of the most prolific freshman years in college basketball history, will head to the NBA without a March Madness victory under his belt. <\/p>\n

His heroics couldn\u2019t save BYU. The debt grew too steep for him alone to ever repay.<\/p>\n

And thus, the season comes to an awkward end.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"PORTLAND, Ore. \u2014 BYU\u2019s trip to the Big Dance has come to an abrupt end. The 6-seeded Cougars…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":212647,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[17092,27,29,28],"class_list":{"0":"post-212646","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-texas","8":"tag-news-feed-local","9":"tag-texas","10":"tag-texas-headlines","11":"tag-texas-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=212646"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212646\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/212647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=212646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=212646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=212646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}