Jackson has been writing about sports for the Deseret News since 2023.
No. 6 seed BYU (24-9) vs. No. 11 seed VCU (28-6)
Tip: Thursday, 2:05 p.m. MDT
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
TV: TNT
Radio: 102.7 FM/1160 AM
Series: BYU leads 1-0 (most recent meeting: 1983)
The trends
For BYU: Won nine of its past 10 games, 8-7 in Quad 1 opportunities, No. 25 in NET and No. 24 in KenPom
For VCU: Fresh off an Atlantic 10 tournament championship, 2-1 in Quad 1 opportunities, No. 31 in NET and No. 31 in KenPom
The stakes
For BYU: The Cougars are searching for their first NCAA Tournament win since 2012, having lost each of their past five appearances in the big dance. Additionally, a victory Thursday would be the first NCAA Tournament win of Kevin Young’s career.
For VCU: Similar to BYU, the Rams haven’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 2016. Their head coach, Ryan Odom, has been connected to a number of coaching vacancies in the current cycle, and VCU’s tournament showing could help to determine his future with the program and beyond.
Players to watch
For BYU: First Team All-Big 12 selection Richie Saunders and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection Egor Demin.
For VCU: Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Max Shulga and Atlantic 10 Tournament MVP Jack Clark.
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young surveys the arena during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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A ball with March Madness branding is pictured during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) takes a shot during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita, right, slaps hands with center Fousseyni Traore (45) during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (41) takes a foul shot during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU players warmup during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) takes a shot during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) laughs with center Fousseyni Traore (45) during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Trey Stewart (1) passes the ball to a teammate during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU players warmup during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) takes a shot during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) controls the ball as part of a drill during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars assistant coach Tim Fanning passes the ball to a player during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) takes a shot during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young looks to the court before a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) takes a foul shot during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (41) takes a foul shot during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) and guard Dawson Baker (25) sign shirts after a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) signs a basketball after a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guards Dawson Baker (25) and Dallin Hall joke around after a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young watches his players warmup during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) signs a basketball as guard Trey Stewart (1) greets fans after a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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A ball with March Madness branding is pictured during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young watches his players warmup during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU fans watch players warmup during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young talks with his players before a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU players warmup during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) holds his follow-through on his shot during a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU players, coaches and staff pose for a photo after a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Nick Hansen, of Aurora, Colo., high-fives BYU Cougars forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) after a practice held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Trevin Knell, left, listens as forward Richie Saunders answers a question from a reporter about the two of them during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Mawot Mag speaks during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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From left, BYU Cougars guard Trevin Knell, forward Richie Saunders and forward Mawot Mag field questions from reporters as Saunders speaks during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders speaks during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Trevin Knell speaks during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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