BYU’s Resume Is Strong - But a Statement Win at Kansas Could Take It to the Next Level
BYU came painfully close to notching a true signature win on Monday night, nearly completing a dramatic comeback against Arizona before ultimately falling short. Still, this team has shown it belongs in the national conversation - and the Cougars are building a resume that’s not just good, but potentially great.
At 17-3, BYU is a lock for the NCAA Tournament. That much is clear.
But the Cougars aren’t just playing for an invite - they’re pushing for prime real estate on the bracket. A top-four seed is within reach, and the road to that kind of respect runs through high-level wins.
The next big opportunity? A trip to Allen Fieldhouse to face Kansas.
Let’s break down where things stand and what’s ahead for BYU.
The Resume So Far: Solid Foundation, Room to Climb
Here’s what BYU’s tournament profile looks like right now:
- Record: 17-3
- NET Ranking: 14
- KenPom Ranking: 15
- Strength of Schedule (NET SOS): 33
- Quad 1 Record: 4-3
- Quad 2 Record: 4-0
- Quad 3 Record: 4-0
- Quad 4 Record: 5-0
The Cougars have taken care of business across the board - no bad losses, no slip-ups against inferior teams. They’ve also stacked up four Quad 1 wins, all on neutral floors, against Villanova, Wisconsin, Miami, and Clemson. Those wins are likely to hold their Quad 1 status through the end of the season, with each opponent currently sitting between 29 and 43 in the NET rankings.
What stands out is how clean the resume is. BYU’s three losses?
All against teams ranked in the top 12 of the latest AP Poll. That’s the kind of profile that gives the selection committee confidence.
But to move from “safe” to “dangerous,” BYU needs to start winning the biggest games on its schedule.
Understanding Quad 1 - and Why Not All Quads Are Created Equal
We talk a lot about Quad 1 wins in March, but it’s important to understand the nuance. A Quad 1 game is defined by the location and the opponent’s NET ranking:
- Home: Top 30 NET
- Neutral: Top 50 NET
- Road: Top 75 NET
But there’s a tier within the tier - what’s known as Quad 1A. These are the premium wins that really move the needle:
- Home vs. Top 15 NET
- Neutral vs. Top 25 NET
- Road vs. Top 40 NET
So far, BYU has had three of these Quad 1A opportunities - against UConn, Arizona, and Texas Tech - and dropped all three. That’s not a knock; those are elite teams. But it also highlights the importance of capitalizing when the next ones come around.
Looking ahead, BYU likely has five more Quad 1A chances on the schedule:
- at Kansas
- **vs.
Houston**
- at Arizona
- vs. Iowa State
- vs. Texas Tech
That’s five chances to land the kind of wins that can vault a team into the top three seed lines. And it all starts Saturday in Lawrence.
Why Kansas Matters - A Lot
There are no “must-win” games in late January, but some matchups carry more weight than others. A win at Kansas would be BYU’s biggest of the season - full stop.
The Jayhawks are a top-15 team, unbeaten at home, and one of the toughest outs in all of college basketball. A win in that building would not only be a statement to the selection committee, it would also show that BYU can hang with - and beat - the bluebloods on their turf.
It’s the kind of game that attracts national attention. With stars like AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson drawing eyeballs, the Cougars have a real chance to make a splash on a big stage.
The Bigger Picture: BYU’s Place in a Stacked Season
This year’s college basketball landscape is deep at the top. BYU’s current KenPom ranking of 15 would’ve been good enough for a top-5 spot in other recent seasons like 2019-20, 2021-22, and 2022-23. That’s how loaded the field is this year.
Which is why resume-building matters more than ever. BYU has done everything right so far - they’ve won the games they were supposed to, avoided landmines, and shown they can compete with the best. But to move from “solid” to “special,” they need to start stacking high-end wins.
Saturday at Kansas is the first of several chances to do just that. Win there, and BYU doesn’t just stay in the tournament conversation - they start to shape it.