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BYU owns a checkered history in the NCAA Tournament, with plenty of black and blue marks to show for it.
The Cougars have tasted both the sweet and the sour during March Madness.
Some sweet moments. But mostly sour.
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For example, BYU ranks among the top 25 programs in all-time tournament appearances with 32, ahead of schools like Michigan, Virginia, Utah and Houston.
But the Cougars also own the dubious distinction of having the most tournament appearances without a Final Four berth.
Before the 2025-26 season tipped off, there were high hopes around Provo that perhaps this would be the year that notorious streak would end. That the Cougars would stop wandering in the desert and reach the college hoops’ promised land.
For the first time, BYU boasted the No. 1 recruit in the country — freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa — on its roster.
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While Dybantsa has certainly lived up to the hype, injuries to players like Richie Saunders, Dawson Baker and others may impact the Cougars’ chances of making a deep tournament run.
Over the years, BYU has experienced its share of shining moments and not-so-shiny moments. In its 32 appearances in the Big Dance, BYU has posted an uninspiring all-time record of 17-35.
The Cougars have advanced to the Sweet 16 three times, including last season, and the Elite Eight once, in 1981.
Of course, there are plenty of variables when it comes to NCAA Tournament success. As former BYU coach Dave Rose liked to say, “Everybody talks about the seed, but it’s the matchup that’s important.”
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As BYU awaits its 33rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament, here’s a look back at the Cougars’ colorful March Madness history of seeds, matchups, controversies, subplots, tournament records and quirky moments over the past five decades.
Cartwright stymies BYU from punching Sweet 16 ticket (1979)
In 1979, BYU made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1972.
It was also the Cougars’ first appearance after legendary coach Stan Watts…
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Publish date : 2026-03-17 19:30:00
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