The college basketball season is over as the offseason is in full swing, and the landscape of the sport is rapidly changing following the Florida Gators’ run to capture their first NCAA Championship since 2007 when they went back-to-back under head coach Billy Donovan. While the transfer portal can still shake up predictions for the 2025-26 season, certain teams across the nation seem to have the pieces in place for a long run in the next NCAA Tournament.
One of those teams expected to improve upon their season performance from this past year is the BYU Cougars, who have several key additions joining the team next season. Factoring in a likely return from leading scorer Richie Saunders, the Cougars landed one of the top transfers in Baylor guard Rob Wright and will welcome the highest-rated recruit in program history next season with AJ Dybantsa. Expected to be a contender for the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Cougars look to be eyeing a marquee matchup against a decorated Big East opponent in the Boston Celtics’ TD Garden.
According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, discussions are occurring around a possible BYU vs UConn matchup at the TD Garden in Boston for the fall. Not only would this matchup draw a crowd given the current status of the two programs, but it would be a return for Dybantsa to where he grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, a city just an hour outside of Boston.
Depending on the recruiting site you look at, Dybantsa is either ranked first or just behind Prolific Prep star Darryn Peterson, who will join the Kansas Jayhawks in the fall. Listed at 6-foot-9, Dybantsa has prototypical NBA size and has drawn comparisons to NBA legends such as Tracy McGrady.
BYU made the Sweet 16 this past season before being defeated by the Alabama Crimson Tide, while the UConn Huskies failed to pull off a three-peat after losing to the eventual National Champion Florida Gators in the Round of 32. However, both squads have reloaded on talent for next season, and could both be in the mix for title contention by next year’s tournament.
As for now, not much has been confirmed on BYU’s 2025-26 schedule, outside of them accepting an invitation to the 2025 Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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