BRACKET BREAKDOWN: BYU Screwed, Houston, Baylor Get Lucky, Iowa State Makes March Madness Final Four

Locked On Big 12 | Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast

BYU is gearing up for its first NCAA men's basketball tournament appearance in three years, and the journey begins in the heartland of America.

Having secured their spot with a 23-10 record, the Cougars earned the No. 6 seed in the East regional, marking their return to March Madness since 2021. Their opening game, scheduled for Thursday, pits them against A-10 champion Duquesne in Omaha, Nebraska. This marks BYU's 31st appearance in the NCAA Tournament, a milestone they'll commemorate at the CHI Health Center with tip-off set for 10 a.m. MDT on TruTV.

Under the leadership of head coach Mark Pope, this marks BYU's second NCAA berth, breaking a six-year drought after clinching a spot in the all-Indianapolis-area tournament in 2020-21, following the cancellation of the previous year's tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the Cougars have a historical presence in the tournament, boasting a record of 15-33, including a 3-2 performance as a No. 6 seed, this particular seeding decision raised eyebrows. However, Pope reassures his team and fans that every game in the tournament poses a significant challenge, emphasizing the caliber of competition they'll face.

Reflecting on past glory, BYU's Elite Eight appearance in 1981, led by former star Danny Ainge, remains a pivotal moment in the program's history. Despite being seeded No. 17 overall, recent revelations from the selection committee indicate they could have been rated as the top No. 5 seed.

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