BYU COUGARS NEWS

Why AJ Dybantsa's Relatively Quiet BYU Debut Won't Dim Top NBA Pick Expectations The hyped freshman scored 21 points, but struggled from the free throw line and took only one three-pointer to open his one-and-done college...

NOVEMBER 4 • SI.COM

Freshman Phenom AJ Dybantsa Shines In BYU's Season-Opening Win Over Villanova

Freshman AJ Dybantsa had 21 points and six rebounds and eighth-ranked BYU defeated Villanova 71-66 Monday night in the Hall of Fame Series a...

NOVEMBER 4 • FOX SPORTS

AJ Dybantsa stars in debut as No. 8 BYU tops Villanova AJ Dybantsa scored 21 points in his college basketball debut -- including 13 in the second half -- to lead No.8 BYU to a 71-66 victory over...

NOVEMBER 4 • THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

Richie Saunders - Struggles from field Saunders finished with 15 points (4-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 29 minutes during Monday's 71-66 victory over Villanova.

Impact Saunders put together a solid line despite connecting on less than two-thirds of his field-goal attempts. The senior wing has shot greater than 50-percent from the floor in each of the last two seasons and is coming off a campaign in which he connected on 43.2-percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. BYU is loaded and Saunders is set to lead the charge as the Cougars have their sights set on big things this season.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Around Utah college hoops: Dybantsa, BYU top Villanova; Trujillo leads Utah Tech LAS VEGAS (AP) — Freshman AJ Dybantsa had 21 points and six rebounds, and eighth-ranked BYU defeated Villanova 71-66 Monday night in the Hal...

NOVEMBER 4 • STANDARD.NET

2025-26 College Basketball Season: Notable Games To Watch on FOX, FS1, More

The college basketball season tips off Monday. Here are the best matchups to watch from FOX Sports' 274-game slate this season!

NOVEMBER 4 • FOX SPORTS

AJ Dybantsa live stats: BYU vs. Villanova updates, results, highlights from 2025 college basketball debut | Sporting News The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights as top 2025 recruit AJ Dybantsa makes his highly anticipated BYU debut on Monday n...

NOVEMBER 4 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

BYU vs. Villanova Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel - Nov 3

Preview the Nov 3 matchup between the BYU Cougars and Villanova Wildcats with how to watch, tv channel info, predictions, odds, over/under,...

NOVEMBER 4 • Data Skrive

AJ Dybantsa - Thrives in college debut Dybantsa closed Monday's 71-66 victory over Villanova with 21 points (9-18 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-7 FT), six rebounds and three assists across 32 minutes.

Impact Dybantsa is seen as a candidate to go first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, and his performance in this season opener will only bolster that notion. The freshman looked comfortable and dominant on both ends of the court, and he should be a very productive fantasy option across all formats. His next chance to make a big impact will come against Holy Cross on Saturday.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Dawson Baker - Scores five points in opener Baker (undisclosed) scored five points (1-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT) off the bench in Monday's win over Villanova.

Impact Baker was expected to play Monday after being spotted in warmups, and while his stat line wasn't eye-popping, at least he showed he can log minutes off the bench. He's expected to have a secondary role in the rotation going forward, although he should be a steady contributor off the bench as long as he stays healthy.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Brody Kozlowski - Doesn't play in opener Kozlowski (undisclosed) didn't play in Monday's season opener against Villanova.

Impact Kozlowski is a sophomore who should add depth to the Cougars' frontcourt, but he's not expected to fill a significant role in terms of fantasy upside. His next chance to play will come against Holy Cross on Saturday.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Dawson Baker - Spotted in warmups Baker (undisclosed) was spotted in warmups ahead of Monday's game against Villanova, Mitch Harper of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Baker was spotted in warmups ahead of the season opener Monday, and that should be a good sign for his availability. Baker averaged 7.5 points per game off the bench for the Cougars in 2024-25 and should be a steady contributor for the team again in 2025-26.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Nate Pickens - Out Monday Pickens (undisclosed) will not play in Monday's game against Villanova, Mitch Harper of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Pickens will miss the season-opener as he continues to work his way back from injury. He will aim to be back for Saturday's game against Holy Cross.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Why AJ Dybantsa chose BYU with rumored $7 million NIL contract | Sporting News The highly touted recruit makes his debut on Monday night.

NOVEMBER 3 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

What channel is BYU vs. Villanova on? Live stream, time, TV schedule to watch AJ Dybantsa college basketball debut | Sporting News Here's what you need to know to watch BYU vs. Villanova, including start time and TV channel.

NOVEMBER 3 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

In new era of college hoops rosters, $20.5M salary cap feels more like a suggestion than a rule

College basketball is navigating a new financial landscape with schools allowed to pay players up to $20.5 million

NOVEMBER 2 • Associated Press

Kevin Willard faces the daunting task of reviving Villanova basketball after 3 straight NCAA misses

Kevin Willard takes on the challenge of leading Villanova's basketball team after Kyle Neptune's departure

NOVEMBER 2 • Associated Press

As college basketball continues to change, how long will the game's old guard of coaches press on?

The landscape of college basketball is changing rapidly with name, image and likeness deals and the transfer portal reshaping teams yearly

OCTOBER 30 • Associated Press

Nate Pickens - DNP in exhibition Pickens (undisclosed) did not play during Friday's exhibition matchup against North Carolina, per Jackson Payne of Deseret.com.

Impact Pickens was held out of Friday's exhibition due to an undisclosed injury. The 6-foot-3 senior is expected to be a contributor for the Cougars this season after transferring in from UC Riverside in the off-season, where he averaged 9.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last year. The details and severity of his injury are thus far unknown.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Brody Kozlowski - Held out of exhibition Kozlowski (undisclosed) did not play during Friday's exhibition matchup against North Carolina, per Jackson Payne of Deseret.com.

Impact Kozlowski was held out of BYU's exhibition matchup due to an undisclosed injury. The 6-foot-8 forward wasn't very involved for the Cougars as a freshman last season but is a candidate to see more playing time as a sophomore. The details and severity of his injury are thus far unknown.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Dawson Baker - DNP in exhibition Baker (undisclosed) was held out of BYU's exhibition matchup against North Carolina, per Jackson Payne of Deseret.com.

Impact Baker was held out of Friday's exhibition due to an undisclosed injury. The 6-foot-4 guard was a solid contributor for the Cougars last season, averaging 7.5 points per game off the bench and is expected to potentially step into a larger role with the team this year. The details and severity of the injury are thus far unknown.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Kelvin Sampson says Kansas is the Big 12's 'bellcow,' even though No. 2 Houston rules the barnyard

Houston has emerged as the top team in the Big 12, reaching five straight Sweet 16s and two Final Fours under Kelvin Sampson

OCTOBER 28 • Associated Press