Andrew Pace
BYU Cougars have joined the Big 12 athletic conference, marking a new chapter in the university's sports history. BYU's athletic director, Tom Holmoe, acknowledges the challenges ahead, particularly in men's basketball, as the Big 12 conference boasts the best college men's basketball league in America. Despite the tough competition, BYU Cougars basketball is eager to rise to the occasion and compete in the 2025-26 season. Led by senior Richie Saunders, the team aims to climb the league standings after finishing fourth in the previous year. BYU's opponents in the Big 12 include notable rivals such as Arizona, Texas Tech, and Utah, and Colorado, setting the stage for exciting matchups and a promising season ahead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| BYU Cougars Joining Big 12 | Yes |
| Year | 2023 |
| BYU Athletic Director | Tom Holmoe |
| BYU Basketball Leader | Richie Saunders |
| BYU Basketball Freshman | AJ Dybantsa |
| Big 12 Conference Members | Arizona, Texas Tech, Utah, Colorado, West Virginia, Baylor, Kansas |
| Big 12 Conference Opponents | Iowa State, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State |
| Previous Season Standing | Tied for third |
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What You'll Learn
BYU Cougars enter their third season in the Big 12 Conference
The BYU Cougars are entering their third season in the Big 12 Conference, bringing BYU sports and teams to a new level. The Cougars are looking to climb the league standings after finishing fourth in the previous year. BYU basketball is led by senior Richie Saunders, with other notable players including former Baylor guard Rob Wright and NBA Lottery pick AJ Dybantsa.
The Cougars have a challenging road ahead, with opponents such as Arizona, Texas Tech, and rival Utah. They will also face Colorado, West Virginia, and the Kansas Jayhawks, who they upset with a 76-68 victory two years ago. The Big 12 is the best college men’s basketball league in America, so the Cougars will have to work hard to achieve their goals.
Tom Holmoe, BYU’s athletic director, emphasizes that the move is about more than financial gain. He focuses on the exposure and opportunities for student-athletes, the university, and the Church. Holmoe acknowledges the challenges ahead, stating, "It’s a big jump...It’s going to be exciting to be in the thick of things, to get knocked off our feet and get up again. There’ll be some tough times, and there’s a lot of good times ahead."
The Cougars are confident and excited about their third season in the Big 12. They aim to build on their successes, such as their victory over rival Utah in the previous season and their win against the Kansas Jayhawks two years ago. With a mix of experienced players and new talent, the Cougars are ready to take on the competition and improve their standing in the league.
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BYU's opponents in pursuit of a Big 12 title
BYU Cougars joined the Big 12 athletic conference in 2023, bringing their sports teams to a new level. The Cougars enter their third season in the Big 12 Conference and are looking to climb the league standings after finishing fourth last year.
In the 2025-26 season, BYU's three home-and-away opponents include Arizona, Texas Tech, and rival Utah. The Cougars have a rivalry with Utah, which resumes in year two as Big 12 opponents. BYU and Arizona split their two meetings last year, with both claiming road victories. The marquee matchup will be when the defending Big 12 Champion Houston Cougars come to Provo. BYU needs to beat Houston to make it to the Big 12 title game.
Other opponents include Colorado, who will make their first visit to the Marriott Center as a Big 12 Conference member. BYU will also face West Virginia in Morgantown for the third consecutive season, and they will travel to Waco to play Baylor. The latter matchup will be an emotional one as BYU landed former Baylor guard Rob Wright out of the transfer portal. BYU will also face the Kansas Jayhawks, pitting the nation's top two high school prospects against each other: BYU's AJ Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.
Ahead of the final week of the regular season in 2024, nine teams were technically still in contention for the Big 12 title, including BYU. As of Saturday morning, six teams remained in contention: BYU, Arizona State, Iowa State, Colorado, Kansas State, and Baylor. Iowa State and Arizona State had the clearest paths to the championship game. For BYU to make it, they needed to beat Houston and then hope for either an Iowa State or Arizona State loss.
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BYU's 2025-26 season schedule
BYU Cougars basketball has joined the Big 12 athletic conference, marking a new chapter in the team's history. The Cougars are entering their third season in the Big 12 Conference in 2025-26 and are aiming to climb the league standings after finishing fourth last year.
The 2025-26 season will feature an 18-game slate, meaning BYU will face three teams, both home and away. Their three home/away opponents include Arizona, Texas Tech, and rival Utah. BYU's senior Richie Saunders will lead the team, which also includes highly touted freshman AJ Dybantsa.
BYU's non-conference schedule for the season includes:
- October 18 – at Nebraska (Exhibition)
- October 24 – vs. UNC (Exhibition – SLC)
- November 3 – vs. Villanova (Vegas)
- November 8 – Holy Cross
- November 11 – Delaware
- November 15 – vs. UConn (Boston)
- November 21 – vs. Wisconsin (SLC)
- November 27-28 – ESPN Invitational
Additionally, BYU will face notable opponents such as Colorado, West Virginia, Baylor, and Kansas. They will also travel to Madison Square Garden to play the Clemson Tigers in the Jimmy V Classic on December 9.
The Cougars are expected to face challenging competition in the Big 12, especially in men's basketball, but they are regarded as one of the top teams in the nation entering this season.
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The uptick in competition will be challenging
BYU Cougars are joining the power-packed Big 12 athletic conference, marking a new chapter in Cougar sports history. While this move brings BYU sports teams to a new level, the uptick in competition will undoubtedly present a challenge.
BYU's athletic director, Tom Holmoe, acknowledges the upcoming difficulties, stating, "It's a big jump...It's going to be exciting to be in the thick of things, to get knocked off our feet and get up again. There'll be some tough times, and there's a lot of good times ahead." Holmoe emphasizes that the focus is on the student-athletes and their ability to achieve their goals, with the Big 12 providing a brighter stage for exposure and success.
The competition in men's basketball, in particular, will be a monumental challenge. The Big 12 boasts the title of the best college men's basketball league in America, and BYU will face top-tier opponents like Gonzaga and Kansas Jayhawks. BYU's performance in the 2024-25 season, where they finished fourth, and their subsequent pursuit of a Big 12 title, demonstrates their determination to rise to the occasion.
However, some programs within BYU are more than ready to take on the increased competition and are eager to bring it on. Women's sports, including soccer, cross country, and volleyball, are expected to be competitive right away, with a good chance of success in conference championships. BYU's men's and women's cross country teams, for example, are anticipated to perform well and could even win the conference meet in their first year.
While the transition to the Big 12 will be challenging, BYU is committed to embracing the tougher competition and using it as an opportunity to shine. The move will undoubtedly bring new experiences, exposure, and the chance to create memorable moments in Cougar sports history.
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BYU's athletic director, Tom Holmoe, is excited about the move
BYU Cougars are entering a new chapter in their sports history as they join the Big 12 athletic conference. This move brings BYU sports and teams to a whole new level, and BYU's athletic director, Tom Holmoe, couldn't be more thrilled about it.
In his 19th year as BYU's athletic director, Holmoe is excited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the Big 12. He acknowledges that it's a big jump and that there will be tough times, but he remains optimistic about the future. "It's going to be exciting to be in the thick of things, to get knocked off our feet and get up again," he says. Holmoe emphasizes that the move is about more than just financial gain. It's about exposing BYU's student-athletes, the university, and the Church to a wider audience. He believes that the Big 12 provides a stage where the lights will shine brighter, allowing BYU to showcase its talents and achievements.
While some programs, especially in women's sports such as soccer, cross country, and volleyball, are ready to compete for conference championships, men's basketball will present a significant challenge. The Big 12 is the best college men's basketball league in America, and BYU will need to step up its game. However, Holmoe remains confident in the Cougars' ability to rise to the occasion. He believes that the move will enable BYU's student-athletes to achieve their individual and collective goals, and he is committed to supporting them every step of the way.
The 2025-26 season will be BYU's third season in the Big 12 Conference, and they are aiming to climb the league standings. BYU has already faced some notable opponents, such as West Virginia, Baylor, and the Kansas Jayhawks, and they are looking forward to building on their successes. The move to the Big 12 is a significant step forward for BYU, and Holmoe's enthusiasm and dedication will undoubtedly play a crucial role in guiding the Cougars towards success in their new conference.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, BYU Cougars joined the Big 12 in 2023.
BYU Basketball finished fourth in the Big 12 in the 2024-25 season. In the 2025 Big 12 basketball regular season, BYU finished third in the Big 12 standings.
BYU's athletic director, Tom Holmoe, has acknowledged that the move to the Big 12 will be a challenge for the team, especially in men's basketball. The Big 12 is the best college men's basketball league in America.
BYU's three home/away opponents for the 2025-26 season include Arizona, Texas Tech, and rival Utah. Other opponents include Colorado, West Virginia, Baylor, and Kansas.
