BYU Cougars

The BYU Cougars fill the massive Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, one of the largest arenas in college basketball, for a program now testing itself in the Big 12 after decades as a mid-major power. BYU basketball draws a devoted, faith-driven fan base and a long tradition of prolific scorers. The move to a power conference marks a new era for a program built on discipline and deep tournament runs.

BYU fielded its first basketball team in 1902 and has amassed nearly 2,000 all-time wins, among the most in Division I history. The Cougars made three Elite Eight appearances, in 1950, 1951, and 1981, the last capped by Danny Ainge's Wooden Award season. BYU has been to the NCAA Tournament more times than any program never to reach the Final Four, a testament to its remarkable consistency. The Jimmer Fredette era in the early 2010s brought renewed national attention, and the Cougars' 2023 move to the Big 12 opened a new chapter for the program's tournament ambitions.