SPORTS

Texas survives BYU in opening NCAA upset

PUBLISHED Mar 18, 2026, 10:09 AM ET

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Portland, Ore. Texas defeated BYU 79-71 Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the West Regional second round. Matas Vokietaitis scored 23 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, Tramon Mark added 19, and Jordan Pope had 11 as the Longhorns overcame a 35-point performance from BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa. BYU led briefly but struggled on defense and the glass, allowing Texas to build a decisive second-half lead. Texas will face either Gonzaga or Kennesaw State in the next round. Coaches and players from both teams gave brief postgame comments. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

NCAA Tournament brackets revealed; BYU seeded No. 6, Texas No. 11.
Texas defeated NC State 68-66 in the First Four on Tramon Mark's late shot.
Opening round in Portland: Texas beat BYU 79-71; Vokietaitis 23 points, 16 rebounds; Dybantsa 35 points.
BYU's season concluded; Texas advanced to the West Regional second round.
Postgame coverage highlighted Dybantsa's draft consideration and BYU's defensive/rebounding issues.

News Intelligence

If you're a fan of college basketball, this upset is a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement of the NCAA Tournament. Keep an eye on Texas' next game. If you're a BYU fan, it's time to reflect on the season and look forward to the next one.

Media Bias

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Who Benefited

The Texas Longhorns benefited by advancing to the West Regional second round, gaining momentum, national exposure, and validation for team strategies and individual performances from Matas Vokietaitis, Tramon Mark and Jordan Pope.

Who Impacted

The BYU program suffered elimination from the NCAA Tournament, ending the team's season, removing postseason exposure, and raising questions about coaching, roster depth, and freshman AJ Dybantsa's immediate college future.

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