BYU Basketball Clinging to NCAA Tournament Spot as ‘Last Team In’
As the 2025 NCAA Tournament approaches, the BYU Cougars find themselves in a precarious position. According to recent bracketology projections, BYU is currently listed as the “last team in”, meaning their tournament hopes hang by a thread. With only a few regular-season games left, every performance will be crucial in securing a March Madness berth.
A Rollercoaster Season for the Cougars
BYU has experienced an up-and-down season, marked by impressive victories and frustrating losses. Transitioning into the Big 12 Conference has proven to be a challenge, as the Cougars have faced stiff competition from some of the nation’s top programs. Despite this, key wins—such as their recent 73-69 road victory over West Virginia—have kept them in the conversation for an NCAA Tournament bid.
However, their 84-66 loss to Cincinnati earlier this month highlighted the inconsistency that has plagued their season. Poor second-half performances and struggles against physical opponents have raised concerns about their ability to close out games.
Strength of Schedule and Tournament Implications
One factor working in BYU’s favor is their strong strength of schedule (SOS) due to playing in the highly competitive Big 12. Even with a less-than-stellar record, their matchups against ranked teams and quality opponents boost their résumé.
However, being the “last team in” means there is no room for error. A single bad loss—especially to a lower-ranked team—could push them out of the field. Conversely, a strong finish to the regular season, particularly with wins over top-tier opponents, could solidify their spot and improve their seeding.
What BYU Needs to Do to Secure a Spot
For BYU to confidently make the tournament, they must:
Win remaining games against unranked opponents to avoid bad losses.
Upset at least one top-tier Big 12 team to boost their résumé.
Perform well in the Big 12 Tournament, as a strong showing could erase any doubts from the selection committee.
Improve second-half execution, ensuring they don’t lose winnable games due to late-game struggles.
Final Push for March Madness
As the season winds down, BYU is walking a fine line between making the NCAA Tournament and missing out entirely. The next few weeks will determine whether the Cougars punch their ticket to March Madness or find themselves on the outside looking in.
Can BYU rise to the challenge and prove they belong among college basketball’s best? Their fate is in their own hands.
