To beat BYU, Texas must slow down a ‘generational talent’ in AJ Dybantsa

Mar 7, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) and forward Keba Keita (13) reacts during the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images | Aaron Baker-Imagn Images After Tuesday’s thrilling 68-66 win over the NC State Wolfpack in Dayton, the Texas Longhorns took an overnight flight to Portland to begin preparation for Thursday’s matchup against the No. 6 seed BYU Cougars at the Moda Center.

The challenge? To slow BYU freshman forward AJ Dybantsa, a player that Texas head coach Sean Miller called a “generational talent” who has made a compelling case to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

“I don’t really know what position you want to call him — he can do it all,” Miller said. At 25. 3 points per game, Dybantsa leads the nation in scoring with the help of attempting 284 free throws, which also sets the pace across the country for an average of 84 free-throw attempts per game.

Dybantsa has scored 40 or more points twice this season and no opponent has held him to less than 20 points since Kansas did in late January. “I think his ability to get fouled is maybe unlike anything I’ve seen,” Miller said. Dybantsa takes advantage of those opportunities by hitting 76.