West Virginia Head Coach Mark Kellogg Motions to Players During Big 12 Tournament Game Against TCU West Virginia head coach Mark Kellogg directed his players during the second half of the Big 12 conference tournament championship game against TCU on March 8 in Kansas City, Missouri. The game, which marked a pivotal moment in the tournament, saw Kellogg actively engaging with his team as they fought for a spot in the final. The matchup highlighted the intense competition within the Big 12 conference, with both teams showcasing their determination and skill. Kellogg’s strategic guidance during the critical moments of the game underscored his role in shaping the team’s performance. The outcome of the game would determine the conference’s top seed and set the stage for the upcoming NCAA tournament, adding to the significance of the event.#tcu #big_12_tournament #west_virginia #mark_kellogg #kansas_city_missouri
Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey and Killyan Toure Bond as March Madness Nears The dynamic backcourt duo for Iowa State basketball, Tamin Lipsey and Killyan Toure, have forged a unique relationship that transcends their roles as teammates. Their connection, described as a brotherly bond, has become a cornerstone of their success on the court and a source of mutual motivation. While their partnership is built on shared goals and competitive drive, it also includes a playful element of trash talk that adds to their chemistry. Lipsey, the senior guard, and Toure, the freshman from France, have developed a rapport that extends beyond basketball. Their relationship began during intense summer training sessions, where Toure’s aggressive defensive style caught Lipsey’s attention and earned him a spot in the starting lineup. Despite their contrasting personalities—Lipsey’s stoic demeanor versus Toure’s fiery energy—the pair has found a balance that enhances their individual and collective performance. Toure’s habit of switching between French and English during conversations has become a point of humor, with Lipsey admitting he often doesn’t understand the exact words Toure uses. “A lot of it’s in French, actually, so I don’t know what he’s saying, but I can tell when he’s being competitive,” Lipsey said. Toure, meanwhile, hinted at the nature of his verbal exchanges, joking that the phrases he uses during practice are “not good words” to share in front of cameras. Their bond has been tested and strengthened through shared challenges, including Lipsey’s recent groin injury that sidelined him for three games. During his absence, Toure stepped into the point guard role, a responsibility that deepened their trust.#big_12_tournament #iowa_state #march_madness #tamin_lipsey #killyan_toure
UCF Men's Basketball Secures Overtime Victory Over Cincinnati UCF men’s basketball staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Cincinnati 66-65 in overtime during the second round of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center. The Knights, who held a brief 5-minute lead early in the game, erased a 19-point deficit in the second half to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since joining the conference. The victory marked UCF’s 21st win of the season, their highest total under head coach Johnny Dawkins since the 2018-19 campaign. Cincinnati began strongly, building a 9-2 lead in the first 16 minutes and extending it to 19-9 by the eighth minute of the second half. The Knights struggled to find their rhythm, going scoreless for over five minutes before Chris Johnson hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to two. However, the Bearcats maintained control with their sharp shooting, draining back-to-back three-pointers to push their lead to 19-9. UCF’s defense stepped up, forcing three turnovers in a two-minute span to halt Cincinnati’s momentum. A layup by Jamichael Stillwell gave the Knights their first lead since the opening minutes, 22-21, but Cincinnati retook the advantage by halftime, leading 27-26. The second half saw both teams struggle to score consistently. Cincinnati extended its lead to seven points, 39-32, by the 13:22 mark, but UCF’s resilience shone through. After falling into a 12-point deficit, the Knights launched a 14-7 run sparked by Jordan Burks’ dunk, trimming the gap to 58-56 with 1:17 remaining. Stillwell added six points during the surge, setting the stage for overtime. Riley Kugel tied the game at 58-58 with a late layup, forcing the extra session. In overtime, Stillwell opened the scoring with a layup, and UCF’s defense held Cincinnati’s offense in check.#t_mobile_center #cincinnati #big_12_tournament #ucf_men_s_basketball #johnny_dawkins
AJ Dybantsa Breaks Kevin Durant's Scoring Record During BYU's Big 12 Tournament Win vs. KSU BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa made an impressive debut in the college basketball postseason, scoring 40 points in the first round of the Big 12 tournament as the Cougars defeated Kansas State 105-91. His performance set a new Big 12 tournament record for a freshman, surpassing the previous mark held by former Texas star and future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. Dybantsa’s 40-point effort highlighted his ability to dominate in high-stakes games, placing him in elite company among college basketball legends. The victory over Kansas State marked a significant milestone for BYU, as Dybantsa’s scoring output not only broke Durant’s tournament record but also solidified his status as one of the most talented freshmen in the nation. His 40 points came on a mix of efficient shooting and clutch plays, showcasing his versatility and composure under pressure. The Cougars’ 105-91 win underscored the impact of Dybantsa’s performance, as BYU’s offense surged with his contributions. Beyond the tournament record, Dybantsa’s season has already reached historic proportions. He became just the 10th freshman in Division I history to score 800 points in a single season, a testament to his consistency and skill. This achievement places him among the rarest talents in college basketball, with few players achieving such milestones at such an early stage in their careers. Dybantsa’s breakout game against Kansas State also reflected his growing role as a key player for BYU. His ability to carry the team in critical moments demonstrated the potential for him to be a cornerstone of the Cougars’ future success. As the Big 12 tournament progresses, his performance could position BYU as a serious contender in the conference race.#kansas_state #big_12_tournament #aj_dybantsa #byu #kevin_durant
Bobby Hurley will not return as Arizona State men’s basketball coach after completing his 11th season with the Sun Devils. The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman reported the news Monday, citing that Hurley’s contract, set to expire at the end of June, will not be renewed. On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed the report, though Hurley and ASU athletic director Graham Rossini plan to meet after the Big 12 Tournament to discuss their future. ASU’s season ended with a 16-15 record overall and a 7-11 mark in the Big 12. The team’s final game of the regular season was a 9-2 start for Hurley, followed by a 9-11 stretch that dashed NCAA Tournament hopes. A late surge included three wins in four games, including an upset over then-No. 13 Texas Tech, but two losses to Baylor and TCU sealed their fate. Despite the struggles, the Sun Devils remain in the Big 12 Tournament, set to face Baylor in a matchup starting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Hurley’s tenure at ASU has been marked by both success and challenges. His overall record of 184-166 (.526) ranks second in program history, behind Ned Wulk’s 405-257 record from 1958 to 1982. Under Hurley, ASU made three NCAA Tournament appearances but never advanced past the first round. The highlight of his career at the school came in 2017-18, when the “Guard U” team led by Tra Holder, Kodi Justice, and Shannon Evans started 12-0, including wins over No. 2 Kansas and No. 15 Xavier. The team reached No. 3 in the AP Top 25 rankings but fell short in the postseason, losing four of its last five regular-season games and a First Four matchup against Syracuse. Hurley’s recent seasons have seen mixed results. After reaching 20 wins in consecutive years, the team’s momentum was disrupted by the pandemic, which canceled a likely NCAA Tournament bid.#big_12_tournament #bobby_hurley #arizona_state #graham_rossini #field_of_68
BYU Star Freshman AJ Dybantsa Dominates Big 12 Tournament with 40-Point Performance BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa delivered a career-defining performance in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, scoring 40 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out six assists in a 105-91 victory over Kansas State. The 6-foot-8 forward’s effort broke the previous record for points scored by a freshman in a Big 12 Tournament game, previously held by Kevin Durant, who scored 37 points in a 2007 title game against Kansas. Dybantsa’s 40-point outburst came after he took 21 shots, making 15 of them, showcasing his ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. Dybantsa’s season has been nothing short of spectacular, with averages of 25.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 52% from the field. His production has drawn comparisons to past Naismith Award winners, including Durant and Doug McDermott, who were also standout performers despite not being on top-10 teams. While Duke’s Cameron Boozer remains the favorite for the award, Dybantsa’s impact has positioned him as a legitimate contender, especially if his team continues its strong play. BYU’s ranking in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 rankings has climbed to No. 26, with Duke remaining at No. 1 for the 18th consecutive day. The Cougars’ next challenge will be a second-round matchup against West Virginia, set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. Coach Kevin Young praised Dybantsa’s all-around performance, calling him “a candidate to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.” The Top 25 And 1 rankings also highlighted other standout performances. Cameron Boozer led Duke with 26 points and 15 rebounds in a 76-61 win over North Carolina, while Yaxel Lendeborg poured in 27 points for Michigan State in a 90-80 victory over Michigan.#big_12_tournament #aj_dybantsa #byu #kevin_durant #cbs_sports_top_25_and_1
BYU's Dybantsa Shatters Freshman Record with 40-Point Performance in Big 12 Tournament Victory BYU freshman forward AJ Dybantsa delivered a standout performance in the Big 12 tournament, scoring a freshman-record 40 points to lead the Cougars to a hard-fought victory over Kansas State. The game, which marked BYU’s opening round matchup in the tournament, saw Dybantsa dominate in the second half, helping his team secure a crucial win as they aim to advance further in the postseason. Dybantsa’s 40-point effort included several highlight-reel plays, including a buzzer-beating dunk that sealed a key lead for BYU after the Wildcats had closed the gap. The freshman’s ability to step up in critical moments was evident throughout the game, as he consistently found ways to impact the scoreboard when BYU needed him most. Despite the Cougars trailing by as many as 10 points in the second half, Dybantsa’s scoring runs helped BYU regain control and eventually pull away in the final minutes. The performance was particularly notable given the context of the game. BYU entered the matchup with a slim lead after the first half, holding a 50-49 edge over Kansas State. However, the Cougars’ lead was precarious, as it was built largely on a turnover that led to Dybantsa’s game-winning dunk. The freshman’s unselfish playmaking also shone through, as he frequently found teammates in transition and created opportunities for his teammates to score. Coach Brandon Young praised Dybantsa’s contributions, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and execution. “It’s something we’ve been really on our guys about all year,” Young said. “We have talent, obviously, and we just try to make simple plays, and play together, and sometimes that’s easier said than done. I thought AJ made a lot of unselfish plays as well.#kansas_state #aj_dybantsa #byu #big_12_tournament #brandon_young
