From left, BYU guard Robert Wright III (1), forward AJ Dybantsa (3) and head coach Kevin Young look on during a press conference after losing to Houston Cougars 73-66 in quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Jay Drew
By Jay Drew
Jay has covered sports in Utah for more than 30 years and has been writing for the Deseret News since 2019.

KANSAS CITY — No college basketball player in the country goes to the free-throw line more than BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, who now has attempted 284 freebies in 34 games.

BYU basketball coach Kevin Young said Thursday after Dybantsa and the Cougars lost 73-66 to No. 5 Houston in a Big 12 tournament quarterfinal game at T-Mobile Center that that total should be more.

While crediting Houston in his opening comments in the postgame news conference for playing a “good game” and saying that the red-wearing Cougars “deserved to win” because they made the “necessary plays down the stretch,” Young waited until the first question to go off on the officiating.

Twenty fouls were called on BYU, while 17 were called on Houston — widely considered one of the most physical and aggressive teams in college basketball.

Dybantsa was 9 of 10 from the line and 7 of 18 from the field, finishing with a game-high 26 points. BYU guard Rob Wright was 3 for 4 from the line and had 15 points.

“Some of (the Cougars’ 18 turnovers) were driving into crowds, for sure, but I will just cut to the chase right out of the gate,” Young said. “AJ took 10 free throws. Rob Wright took four. I don’t ever go there — and again, Houston beat us. Stone cold. They won the game.

“But AJ should have shot 20 free throws, minimum, in that game. Rob Wright only shoots four free throws. Guy drives every time. And (Emmanuel) Sharp shoots 10 — and I’m not saying the officials were, like, ‘Oh, we’re going to give Houston calls and not BYU.’ I am not suggesting that in any form or fashion. I thought they flat-out missed calls, bottom line, and that led to some turnovers, led to some frustration, and so that’s disappointing.”

Related
Analysis: Disappointing loss to Houston aside, BYU showed well in Big 12 tournament
What Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said after beating BYU

To be fair, six of Sharp’s free throws came in the final 33 seconds when BYU was fouling to stop the clock. His first trip to the line came after Houston had grabbed an offensive rebound. The red Cougars turned 14 offensive rebounds into 19 second-chance points, which was the key stat of the game.

“When you play Houston, you have got to keep the possession game pretty close the best you can,” Young said. “There were too many offensive rebounds down the stretch. They turned us over too much. We turned them over as well (19 times), but that was really the story.”

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BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) defends Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) as he drives to the basket during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dribbles the ball up court during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) celebrates after a scoring during the first half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) looks to pass around BYU guard Aleksej Kostić (6) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives past Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) for a layup during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and BYU center Keba Keita (13) battle for a loose ball during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Khadim Mboup (7) defends Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) talks with BYU center Abdullah Ahmed (34) as they take the court after a timeout during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) shoots a jump shot during the first half against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) collides with Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) as he drives to the basket during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) and Houston Cougars guard Mercy Miller (25) reach for a loose ball after a foul on Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson tells his players to be smart during the first half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A detail of the court during the quarterfinal between BYU and the Houston Cougars during the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) reacts after a 3-pointer during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) is fouled as he drives to the basket between Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and Houston Cougars guard Mercy Miller (25) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) and forward AJ Dybantsa (3) celebrate after a basket during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU center Keba Keita (13) dunks over Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) looks to pass around BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives to the basket for a layup against Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the first half of the the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) and Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) fight for a rebound during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Mercy Miller (25) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU head coach Kevin Young calls put to his players during the second half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts after not getting a call during the second half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) reacts after a hard fall while fighting for a loose ball during the second half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Sweat drips down the face of BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as hydrates during a time out during the second half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) dribbles against BYU forward Khadim Mboup (7) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson reacts to one of his players being called for a foul during the second half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU guard Aleksej Kostić (6) shoots a three-pointer during the second half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars forward Chase McCarty (24) celebrates after hitting a three-pointer late in the second half to pull away from BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Kansas City Chiefs head coach and BYU alumni Andy Ried attends the quarterfinal game between BYU and the Houston Cougars during the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) celebrates after scoring a three-pointer late in the second half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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From left, BYU guard Robert Wright III (1), forward AJ Dybantsa (3) and head coach Kevin Young look on during a press conference after losing to Houston Cougars 73-66 in quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU head coach Kevin Young looks on during a press conference after losing to Houston Cougars 73-66 in quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) looks on during a press conference after losing to Houston Cougars 73-66 in quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) looks to pass around Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) makes a face as collides with Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) shoots a three-pointer over BYU forward Khadim Mboup (7) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives past Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) for a layup during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson yells to his players during the first half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU center Keba Keita (13) drives past Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) celebrates after dunking during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) celebrates with forward AJ Dybantsa (3) after a play during the first half against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) dunks during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) dunks during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) and BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) dive for a loose ball during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

BYU had a 41-37 halftime lead, as Dybantsa was 7 of 8 from the line in the first 20 minutes. He was 2 of 2 fro the line in the second half, when the Cougars’ offense operated in front of the BYU bench and Young had a clear view of all of his young superstar’s drives and shots.

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When it was suggested that Dybantsa had an “off night,” Young asked the reporter what he meant by that.

“How did he have an off night?” Young queried. “He was 7 of 18 from the field, 9 of 10 from the free-throw line, 3 of 5 from 3 and had 26 points. Not a bad night.”

Young then said that Dybantsa should have been able to repeat the 40-point performance he had two nights ago against Kansas State, but was not allowed to.

“He can do everything on the court that you want a basketball player to do,” Young said. “I am not trying to get snappy. I thought he played a great offensive game. He should have had, like I said, the guy should have had 40 again, and I am just calling a spade a spade.”

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