BYU Basketball Faces Challenging New Big 12 Schedule & Packed Non-Conference Slate for 2025-26
PROVO, UT – BYU basketball fans, get ready! The Cougars are gearing up for a demanding 18-game Big 12 schedule beginning in the 2025-26 season, alongside a non-conference lineup designed to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume. The Big 12 unveiled the full conference matchups today, offering a clear picture of the challenges and opportunities awaiting BYU in their third year in the league.
Big 12 Play: A Balanced Test
The new conference format will see each team face three opponents twice, six teams exclusively at home, and six exclusively on the road. BYU’s schedule breaks down as follows:
Home & Away: Texas Tech, Arizona, Utah
Home Only: houston, TCU, UCF, Colorado, Iowa State, Arizona State
Away Only: Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Kansas, Cincinnati, West Virginia
Analysts predict Texas Tech and Arizona will be strong contenders, potentially ranking in the preseason Top 10 and Top 15 respectively. These matchups present significant “Quad 1” opportunities for BYU, crucial for building a strong profile for NCAA Tournament seeding. The inclusion of Utah, expected to be near the bottom of the conference standings, provides opportunities to secure important wins and contend for a Big 12 title.
Non-Conference Gauntlet: High-Profile Matchups & Tournament Test
Beyond the Big 12, BYU has assembled a rigorous 13-game non-conference schedule (plus two exhibitions) designed to test their mettle against some of the nation’s best.Here’s a look at the confirmed games:
October 18: at Nebraska (Exhibition)
October 24/25 (Projected): vs. North Carolina (Exhibition, Salt Lake City)
November 3: vs. Villanova (Las Vegas)
November 8: vs. Holy Cross (Home Opener)
November 11: vs. Delaware
November 15: vs. UConn (Boston)
November 21: vs.Wisconsin (Salt Lake City)
November 27: ESPN Events Invitational – Game 1 (Orlando) – Potential opponents: miami, Georgetown, or Dayton
November 28: ESPN Events Invitational – Game 2 (Orlando) – Potential opponents: Miami, Georgetown, or Dayton
December 9: vs. Clemson (New York City)
December 22: vs. Eastern Washington
December (TBD): vs. Pacific
December (TBD): vs. South Dakota
December (TBD): vs. UC Riverside
What This Means for BYU
This schedule is a clear statement of intent.BYU is not shying away from competition. The combination of a challenging Big 12 schedule and a demanding non-conference slate will provide ample opportunities to prove themselves on a national stage. Success will depend on the Cougars’ ability to navigate a tough road habitat and capitalize on home-court advantages.
Stay tuned to world-today-news.com for updates on game dates and times as they become available.
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