DENVER – The BYU Cougars, ranked as the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, faced off against the VCU Rams, the 11th seed, in a highly anticipated first-round matchup on March 20, 2025. Both teams entered the tournament with impressive records; BYU boasting a 24-9 season, buoyed by a semifinal appearance in the Big 12 Championship, while VCU completed the regular season at 28-6 and was fresh off a victory in the Atlantic 10 Championship.
In this battle of contrasting styles, BYU was expected to leverage its offensive strength, deemed the 11th highest in the nation according to KenPom's adjusted efficiency metric, while VCU showcased its stifling defense with a ranking of 23rd in the same assessment. In the opening moments, VCU took charge with a quick 5-0 lead, with a highlight reel alley-oop from Max Shulga to Luke Bamgboye setting the early tone. However, BYU answered back, narrowing the gap to 6-5 via a crafty left-handed layup by freshman guard Egor Demin, who was expected to shine throughout the game.
As the game unfolded, both teams exchanged leads with multiple ties occurring throughout the first half. With the score tied at 22 midway through, BYU began to take control. Egor Demin emerged as a key player, scoring consistently and finishing the half with 11 points. His three-pointer at the 4:44 mark helped BYU establish a slight lead of 29-26.
Meanwhile, VCU struggled to maintain their shooting rhythm, finishing the first half shooting 37.9% from the floor, and allowing BYU's defense to capitalize. The Cougars ended the first half with a thrilling 12-2 run, taking a significant 39-28 lead into the locker room. Richie Saunders also contributed to the momentum shift, having elevated to 53rd on BYU's all-time scoring list during the game.
The second half commenced with renewed intensity. Fans packed into the Ball Arena chanted for their teams, and the atmosphere was electric. As the Cougars looked to extend their lead, VCU faced mounting pressure to respond. Jack Clark and Zeb Jackson led the Rams with seven points apiece, but BYU's aggressive defense forced several turnovers that thwarted VCU's attempts to gain momentum.
With each passing minute, BYU's lead grew, thanks in part to Keba Keita's solid presence in the paint, registering multiple blocks that stifled VCU's offense. The Cougars clicked on offense, shooting at a 50% clip from the field and converting on 50% of their three-pointers, contrasting sharply with VCU's 25% performance from beyond the arc.
As the second half progressed, VCU fought valiantly to stay in the game. However, BYU's ability to stretch the floor and effectively utilize their bench, with coach Kevin Young deploying ten players early on, created mismatches that compounded VCU's challenges.
Ultimately, after leading 39-28 at halftime, BYU held firm against VCU's attempts to rally and closed out the game triumphantly with a final score of 78-68. This victory marks BYU's first NCAA Tournament win since 2012, breaking a five-game losing streak in the tournament. It also provides a significant milestone for head coach Kevin Young, who achieved his first NCAA Tournament victory.
Richie Saunders, who has been pivotal throughout the season, echoed the team's resilience, stating, 3We learned from our previous tournament experiences and focused on execution today. It feels amazing to get this win. We’ve worked hard for this.3 His performance, alongside Demin and Keita, underscores the talent of this BYU squad, which is now poised for potential advancement in the tournament.
As for VCU, the Rams head back home reflecting on their season, marked by impressive achievements and a strong conference finish. Coach Ryan Odom voiced his intent to regroup, emphasizing, 3We’ll take this experience and build from it. We had some great moments this season, and we’ll come back stronger.3
The stage is now set for BYU as they await the winner of the matchup between Wisconsin and Montana in the next round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, a crucial step toward what they hope will be a deep run. The Cougars' performance resonates with their 24-9 record and, combined with their recent form, ignites optimism among their fans for a promising tournament journey ahead.
