The second First Four game is over with Texas defeating NC State 68-66 on Tuesday, March 17. Texas moves on to the First Round against No. 6 BYU. The Cougars are 2.5-point favorites, while the Longhorns are +136 on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is set at 160.5 points.
BYU vs. Texas opening odds
BYU had high expectations this season with the arrival of top prospect AJ Dybantsa. He proved the country why he’s so highly ranked with an NCAA-leading 25.3 points per game. His scoring and versatility as a forward makes BYU a dangerous team. That said, the unit hasn’t been consistent all year. After starting 16-1, the Cougars finished the season 23-11 overall and 9-9 in the Big 12. Conference play was no joke, but the team does have some quality wins against ranked opponents. Which version of the Cougars are dancing? That’s the question heading into the first weekend.
Texas escaped an NC State comeback in the First Four and now gets a date with No. 6 BYU. The Longhorns are an offensive juggernaut, ranking 18th on KenPom. The defense is where it struggles, but it held NC State, another top offensive team, to just 66 points. The last time those teams met, it was 102-97 in regulation. That’s a positive going into a matchup BYU and Dybantsa, the nation’s leading scorer.
