BYU Upsets No. 25 North Carolina in Preseason Finale
SALT LAKE CITY – BYU defeated No. 25 North Carolina 78-71 in an NCAA men’s basketball exhibition game held at the Delta Center on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.The victory serves as a strong finish to the Cougars‘ preseason schedule before their regular season opener.
BYU struggled with outside shooting, making just 5 of 25 3-pointers. Richie Saunders was the only Cougar to make multiple shots from beyond the arc,finishing 2 of 9. North Carolina fared no better,shooting 21.1% from deep.
The Cougars dominated the paint, scoring 44 points inside. They also capitalized on opportunities at the free-throw line, hitting 19 free throws, and secured 18 offensive rebounds.
BYU committed only 12 turnovers throughout the competitive game.
Head coach Kevin Young approached the exhibition as a regular-season contest, utilizing a starting lineup of Rob wright III, Kennard Davis, AJ Dybantsa, Saunders, and Keita. Khadim Mboup was the first player off the bench.
Mihailo Boskovic played 22 minutes as a reserve, followed by Mboup with 13 minutes, Aleksej Kostic with 10, and Tyler Mrus with eight.The Cougars’ bench contributed 10 total points.
Wright led the team with 12 points and five assists,while Saunders added 14 points and three steals. Boskovic and Mboup combined for 10 points and 10 rebounds. Dawson Baker, Nate Pickens, and Brody Kozlowski did not play in the contest.
BYU will next face Villanova in Las Vegas for its regular season opener.
(Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
