Belmont Finalizing Hire of Duke's Evan Bradds as Head Coach Belmont is nearing a formal agreement to hire Evan Bradds, a former Duke assistant coach, as its next head basketball coach, according to sources who spoke to ESPN on Wednesday. Bradds, a former standout player for the Bruins, is set to replace Casey Alexander, who was recently appointed as the head coach at Kansas State. Bradds had a successful college career at Belmont, earning two Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors and becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer in Division I. After graduating in 2017, he transitioned directly into coaching, starting as an assistant with the Maine Red Claws, the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate. He advanced to the Celtics’ staff in 2018 under head coach Brad Stevens and remained with the team through the tenure of Ime Udoka. In 2022, he joined the Utah Jazz’s coaching staff under Will Hardy. Duke hired Bradds in May 2023, highlighting his expertise in player development and basketball strategy. At the time of his appointment, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer praised Bradds’ “unbelievable basketball mind” and “unique ability to build meaningful relationships with players,” emphasizing his role in maintaining Duke’s dominance in college basketball. Bradds is expected to remain with Duke for the remainder of the NCAA tournament, where the Blue Devils, seeded No. 1, will face Siena in their opening game on Thursday. His hiring marks a significant move for Belmont, combining his playing legacy with his growing coaching reputation. The transition underscores the program’s focus on blending experienced leadership with a strong developmental foundation.#duke #kansas_state #evan_bradds #belmont #casey_alexander
Men's Basketball Coaching Carousel Buzz: Latest on Georgia Tech, Kansas State, More Damon Stoudamire was dismissed as head coach of Georgia Tech on Sunday after three seasons in charge. The decision comes amid growing scrutiny over the program's performance, which has struggled to consistently compete at the top of the ACC. Stoudamire, who joined the Yellow Jackets in 2023, led the team to a 16-16 record in his first season and a 14-14 mark in 2025, but failed to secure a postseason berth in either year. The firing marks a significant shift for a program that has long been a staple of the ACC but has faced challenges in recent years. The coaching carousel in men's college basketball continues to move rapidly, with several high-profile vacancies across the country. Kansas State, which has been searching for a new head coach since the departure of Jerome Tang in 2025, is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks. The Wildcats, who have struggled with consistency in recent seasons, are looking for a leader capable of restoring their program to national contention. Meanwhile, other programs are also in the midst of evaluating candidates, with rumors swirling around potential hires for schools like Texas Tech and Oregon. The landscape of college basketball coaching is constantly evolving, with many programs seeking to balance tradition with modern strategies. Stoudamire's exit from Georgia Tech highlights the pressures faced by coaches in the ACC, where competition is fierce and expectations remain high. As the 2026 season approaches, the focus will shift to the next wave of hires, with schools eager to find the right fit to elevate their programs. The coaching carousel remains a central part of the sport's narrative, shaping the future of college basketball for years to come.#georgia_tech #kansas_state #college_basketball #acc #damon_stoudamire
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
Kansas State Basketball Season Ends with Defeat to BYU Kansas State basketball’s 2025-26 season concluded in heartbreaking fashion as the 15th-seeded Wildcats fell to 10th-seeded BYU in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament. The game, played at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, ended with a final score of 105-91 in favor of the Cougars, marking the end of a season defined by inconsistency and underperformance. The loss came just days after Kansas State fired head coach Jerome Tang, who was dismissed for cause amid a 12-20 regular season that saw the team struggle with poor execution and a lack of cohesion. The decision to part ways with Tang was made with about a month left in the regular season, highlighting the mounting frustration over the program’s inability to compete at a higher level. This tournament exit further underscores the challenges facing the program as it looks to rebuild. BYU’s victory was propelled by standout performance from freshman AJ Dybantsa, who shattered the single-game Big 12 Tournament freshman scoring record with 40 points. His efforts were instrumental in securing the win, as the Cougars outscored the Wildcats in key stretches of the game. Dybantsa’s 40-point game also set a new record for the most points scored in a single Big 12 Tournament game, cementing his status as one of the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft. The game itself was a rollercoaster for Kansas State, which briefly mounted a comeback after falling behind by double digits. A 11-0 run in the second half, highlighted by a three-pointer from CJ Jones, brought the Wildcats within five points. However, BYU’s ability to respond with quick baskets and capitalize on turnovers kept the deficit manageable.#t_mobile_center #kansas_state #aj_dybantsa #byu #gene_taylor
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
2026 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket: Updated Seeds and Matchups as of March 6, 2026 The Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament is set to begin on March 10, with the event hosted in Kansas City, Missouri, at the T-Mobile Center. The conference, known for its competitive talent, features four teams ranked in the nation’s top 10. Recent developments, such as West Virginia’s victory over UCF, have added unpredictability to the tournament landscape. Arizona remains the conference’s top-ranked team, though several squads have seen notable shifts in their standings. Below is the latest seeding and projected matchups for the tournament. The updated seedings include Kansas State at No. 2 with a 3-14 record, Baylor at No. 3 with a 5-12 record, and Oklahoma State at No. 4 with a 6-11 record. Arizona State and Colorado are tied at No. 5 with identical 7-10 records, while West Virginia is listed at No. 9 with a 9-9 record. Cincinnati and TCU follow at No. 10 and No. 11, respectively, with records of 9-8 and 10-7. Iowa State and Kansas share the No. 12 spot with 11-6 records, and Texas Tech is at No. 14 with a 12-5 record. Houston and Arizona round out the list at No. 15 and No. 16, with records of 13-4 and 15-2. The tournament’s first round is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, with four games set to take place. No. 12 Arizona State will face No. 13 Oklahoma State at 11:30 AM CT on ESPN+. No. 9 UCF will challenge No. 16 Utah at 2:00 PM CT, while No. 10 BYU will meet No. 15 Kansas State at 6:00 PM CT. The final first-round matchup will see No. 11 Colorado take on No. 14 Baylor at 8:30 PM CT. The second round begins on Wednesday, March 11, with No. 5 Iowa State facing the winner of Game 1 at 11:30 AM CT. No. 8 West Virginia will play the winner of Game 2 at 2:00 PM CT, followed by No.#big_12 #t_mobile_center #kansas_city #kansas_state #baylor
