BYU Celebrates Long-Awaited NCAA Tournament Victory
DENVER — According to Dallin Hall, the players from BYU who experienced the disappointment of the NCAA Tournament’s first round last year were reminded of that painful day for a full year. When Coach Kevin Young stepped in to lead the team, the returning Cougars couldn’t shake the memory of their defeat in Omaha.
This week, the palpable sense of relief mixed with the joy that comes from a tournament victory was evident as sixth-seeded BYU triumphed over VCU, the Atlantic 10 champions, with a score of 80-71 in a first-round matchup held at Ball Arena on Thursday.
“We’ve been looking forward to this for a very long time,” Hall reflected on the moment.
The Cougars, boasting a 25-9 record, are set to face No. 3 seed Wisconsin (27-9) in the upcoming second round on Saturday, with a chance to secure a place in the Sweet 16 in New Jersey. This victory marks BYU’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2012 and their first in the Round of 64 since 2011, when Jimmer Fredette led the team to a Sweet 16 appearance.
“This win is vital not just for us, but for the program and what Coach Young is aiming to create,” Hall said after contributing six points and four assists with minimal turnovers during his playtime. He emphasized that while they achieved this win, the team is still motivated to press on further.
Throughout the game, BYU displayed their offensive prowess, becoming the first team to surpass 80 points against VCU all season. Their shooting pattern revealed a solid 50% shooting accuracy from the field and 35% from beyond the arc, committing only 12 errors amid VCU’s renowned defensive pressure.
As the team approached the game, key focus areas were rebounding, limiting fouls, and maintaining careful ball control, all of which BYU accomplished. Coach Young noted that these aspects were critical to their success, showcasing their growth and resilience as a program aiming for greater achievements.
