Texas (19-14) overcame a 35-point effort from Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa to knock off sixth-seeded BYU 79-71 in the NCAA tournament's opening round, ending BYU's (23-12) season. Freshman star Dybantsa, averaging 25.3 points per game and a candidate for the No. 1 NBA draft pick, was two points shy of tying the tournament's single-game scoring record held by Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette. The Longhorns, led by sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis (23 points, 16 rebounds), who dominated the boards and outscored BYU in the first half, will face either Gonzaga or Kennesaw State on Saturday in the West Regional.

Texas also won its First Four game against N. C. State, with Tramon Mark hitting a buzzer-beater for the victory.