On March 20, 2025, the BYU Cougars made a triumphant return to the NCAA tournament, defeating the VCU Rams 80-71 in the first round of the competition at Ball Arena, Denver. This win was significant, ending a 13-year streak without a tournament victory, since their last win in 2012 against Iona.
Coached by newcomer Kevin Young, BYU’s sixth-seeded team, boasting a 25-9 record, exhibited a powerful performance centered around the efforts of Egor Demin and Richie Saunders. Demin and Saunders combined to score 31 points, with Demin contributing 15 points and Saunders leading with 16. Fousseyni Traore further bolstered the Cougars with 13 points, highlighting their strength in the game.
The match began tightly contested, with VCU showing resilience throughout the first half, even tying the game at 24-24 as the closing minutes of the half approached. However, as the first half came to a close, BYU surged ahead, finishing with a 39-28 lead at halftime.
The second half saw BYU maintain their momentum, shooting an impressive 50% from the field and hitting 35% of their three-point attempts. The Cougars dominated the paint, significantly outscoring VCU with a 38-20 advantage. This power play proved crucial in extending their lead to as much as 20 points midway through the second half.
Despite VCU’s efforts, led by Zeb Jackson, who recorded a game-high 23 points off the bench, the Rams could not contain BYU’s high-octane offense. Other key contributors for VCU included Max Shulga, Joe Bamisile, and Jack Clark, who each added 12 points to their efforts.
Young’s coaching tactics appeared pivotal in turning around the Cougar’s recent misfortunes, as last year they suffered a disappointing first-round exit at the hands of Duquesne. This victory seems to carry a weight of redemption, with Young emphasizing the importance of winning. “We’re not ready to be done yet,” Saunders stated post-game, expressing the team’s aspirations to continue their journey.
The Cougars’ next challenge is against the third-seeded Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Wisconsin had a strong showing earlier in the day, defeating Montana 85-66. Should BYU win, it would mark their first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2011, a year that saw them led by the remarkable Jimmer Fredette, who was on-site supporting the team during this game.
Fans reacted enthusiastically to BYU’s win, with social media buzzing with excitement. Chants of “One more year!” could be heard directed towards Demin, who, as a potential NBA lottery pick, has become a focal point of BYU's resurgence. “You know, there’s so much passion from our fans and alumni,” Young reflected, highlighting the community behind the program.
In VCU’s post-game, coach Ryan Odom noted the significant disparity in fouls, with BYU going to the line 28 times compared to VCU’s 6 attempts, “It’s hard to keep up when you’re in that situation,” he remarked, recognizing BYU's dominance in the paint.
This victory marks not just a moment in BYU’s tournament history but a possible turning point for the program as they seek to reclaim their previous glory. The Cougars look forward to advancing further, quenching a long-standing thirst for tournament success, with hopes roaring among their fans and supporters.
As they prepare for their next match, excitement builds within Cougar Nation. The buzz on social media continued as fans celebrated the win, sharing their hopes for the upcoming game against Wisconsin and potential matchups down the road. With momentum on their side, the Cougars seem ready to make a deeper run in the tournament this year, revitalizing their program and drawing the attention of NCAA fans around the country.
Indeed, the 2025 NCAA Tournament could be one of the defining moments for BYU basketball, potentially rekindling a legacy that has seen better days. As games unfold, the Cougars are prepared to take on the challenges ahead with determination and vigor, aiming to establish their place once again among the NCAA’s elite teams.
