BYU fans have plenty to cheer for in this year's NCAA Tournament, as five former Cougars are hitting the court with new teams. Let’s dive into how these familiar faces have performed this season and who they’ll be up against in the round of 64.
Dallin Hall, Virginia (3 Seed)
Virginia takes on 14-seed Wright State in Philadelphia on Friday. Hall has had a standout senior year after moving from BYU to Virginia, where his pass-first mentality has meshed perfectly with Coach Ryan Odom’s offensive scheme.
Starting 34 games, Hall has been a pivotal player, averaging 5.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, helping the Cavaliers reach the ACC title game. His conference stats are impressive, ranking sixth in assists and leading the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Hall’s experience from his 100 games with BYU, including four NCAA Tournament appearances, will be crucial for Virginia’s tournament run.
Aly Khalifa, Louisville (6 Seed)
Louisville faces 11-seed South Florida in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday. Known as the Egyptian Magician, Khalifa made a strong comeback this season after missing the previous one due to injury.
Playing off the bench, he averaged 3.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, with a noteworthy 40.7% from beyond the arc. During his time at BYU, Khalifa was a fan favorite for his passing skills, and his performance against Duke this season, scoring 17 points with perfect shooting from three, highlights his potential impact in the tournament.
Kanon Catchings, Georgia (8 Seed)
Georgia squares off against 9-seed Saint Louis in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday. Catchings, once BYU’s highest-rated recruit, has become a key player for Georgia, starting 31 games and averaging 12.0 points and 4.8 rebounds.
His sharpshooting, especially from the perimeter, has been a game-changer. Despite a tough loss to Ole Miss in the SEC tournament, Catchings’ five 20-point games this season, including a 32-point explosion against Alabama, show he’s ready to shine on the big stage.
Tanner Toolson, TCU (9 Seed)
TCU battles 8-seed Ohio State in Greenville, South Carolina, on Thursday. Toolson, after two standout seasons at Utah Valley, is making his NCAA Tournament debut with TCU.
As a reliable scorer off the bench, he’s averaged 8.0 points per game, with notable performances including a 19-point game against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament. His journey from BYU to UVU and now TCU highlights his resilience and scoring prowess.
Hunter Erickson, Hawaii (13 Seed)
Hawaii takes on 4-seed Arkansas in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday. Erickson’s college basketball journey has been eventful, culminating in a strong senior year with Hawaii.
Starting 32 games, he’s averaged 8.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, playing a crucial role in Hawaii’s Big West tournament championship and first NCAA berth since 2016. Erickson aims to lead Hawaii to a historic upset, doubling their tournament win total.
These former Cougars are set to make waves in the tournament, each bringing unique skills and experiences to their new teams. Keep an eye on these players as they aim to make their mark on March Madness.