{"id":533429,"date":"2026-01-13T07:19:54","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T07:19:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/533429\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T07:19:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T07:19:54","slug":"sizing-up-the-conference-deseret-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/533429\/","title":{"rendered":"Sizing up the conference \u2013 Deseret News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"c-paragraph\">The Big 12 continues to be the NCAA\u2019s most dominant basketball conference.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">With No. 9 BYU\u2019s 89-84 win over Utah, the Big 12\u2019s four Top 25 teams remained undefeated in conference play Saturday with No. 1 Arizona and No. 3 Iowa State leading the way as undefeated and perfect at 16-0 overall and No. 7 Houston and BYU at 15-1.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">All four are 3-0 in league play.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Richie Saunders backed up his career scoring night of 31 in the Marriott Center last Wednesday with the best rebounding game (14) of his Cougar career Saturday and led BYU with 24 points. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">With Rob Wright III adding 23 points and AJ Dybantsa\u2019s 20, Kevin Young\u2019s Big Three combined for 67 of the Cougars\u2019 89 points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">In three Big 12 games, Saunders and Wright have each scored a total of 68 points (22.6 average), while Dybantsa, facing double and triple team defensive ploys, has 67 (22.3 ppg).<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Combined, these three Cougars have 203 points in league play and 1,091 this season through 16 games.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Utah\u2019s Terrance Brown scored 25 points in a losing effort for the Utes, but that total was the most points scored by a Big 12 player on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">According to ESPN, Dybantsa is the first Division I freshman in the last 30 seasons to have nine straight games of 20-plus points on 50% field-goal shooting. <\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Via ESPN Research: AJ Dybantsa is the first Division-I freshman in the last 30 seasons to have nine straight games of 20-plus points on 50% field-goal shooting.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oosmPmJiW1\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/oosmPmJiW1<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jeffborzello\/status\/2010221907808067659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">January 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">It was Dybantsa\u2019s ninth straight game of 20-plus points, the most in a row for a Big 12 freshman since Trae Young (Oklahoma). <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Dybantsa\u2019s 11 games this season with 20+ points are tied with Shawn Bradley for second among BYU freshmen, behind Danny Ainge with 18.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">With Utah focusing its defense on Dybantsa, the Cougars won because of Saunders\u2019 consistent scoring and elite rebounding, and Wright simply took over the game off the dribble with the shot clock running down.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Of Saunders, BYU coach Kevin Young declared, \u201cHe\u2019s a possessed man, in a good way. He just wasn\u2019t gonna lose, bottom line.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">With Wisconsin beating previously undefeated Michigan 91-88 on Saturday, BYU got a big boost in opponent ratings because the Cougars defeated Wisconsin on a neutral court back in November by 28 points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Now Wisconsin is a Quad 1 win for BYU, which is 5-1 against Quad 1 opponents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">On Sunday, BYU was No. 11 in KenPom\u2019s ratings. In the NCAA\u2019s NET rankings, Arizona is No. 2, Iowa State No. 3 and BYU No. 9 with Utah moving up 10 spots to make BYU\u2019s win a Quad 2 win.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Houston was No. 12.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Any way you cut it, the Big 12 is a formidable basketball league, and BYU\u2019s need to hold on at Utah in the final minutes and Kansas\u2019 loss at UCF 86-75 on Saturday show how tough it is, especially on the road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Kansas is 11-5 and 2-1 in Big 12 play, and Self\u2019s projected No. 1 draft pick Darryn Peterson played 31 minutes and scored 23 points after an injury had limited him to just seven games played this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Self said if a couple of his players want to take plays off and give up a couple of 3-pointers, his Jims were better than your Joes and so what. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019ve got to play harder than that,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s just college basketball. Everybody\u2019s going through that. Some teams having gone through it but make no mistake about what I\u2019m saying.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">\u201cNo excuse, but the margin for error isn\u2019t one that we can let teams believe they can beat you and we give other teams that confidence, and the next thing you know they\u2019re playing well at home and they get cooking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">For the Utes, the packed Huntsman Center proved an extra boost for coach Alex Jensen, a feature he\u2019d like to enjoy for his players.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">\u201cIt was fun to play for a full arena. Reminded me (of) years ago. They played really hard. Can\u2019t fault the effort, but just the little details cost us,\u201d Jensen said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s the way that place has been for decades. There\u2019s nothing like it. It\u2019s hard for me, we play (No. 1) Arizona and it\u2019s half full&#8230; We know that winning is everything, and we\u2019re making progress on that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">On Saturday Arizona defeated TCU 86-73, Iowa State beat Oklahoma State 83-71, Houston handled Baylor 77-55, Texas Tech nipped Colorado 73-71 and Arizona State defeated Kansas State 87-84. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">On Tuesday, West Virginia plays at Houston, Iowa State is at Kansas and Baylor travels to Oklahoma State. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">On Wednesday, Colorado is at Cincinnati, UCF travels to Kansas State, Utah will go to Lubbock and take on Texas Tech, while ASU is at Arizona and TCU goes to Provo to play the Cougars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Is there danger ahead?<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Bill Self is right.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">This is a league that is capable of cannibalizing itself.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/QZQCLSMHSFE3XJSOY4OUEKH3IU.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars fans cheer as Utah Utes fans turn upset as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7R7D4HTBQ5EHDDCH7SZBKH4MNA.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/R4STOGTSQZEOREUNITW4BLWDRI.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes head coach Alex Jensen gestures during the game as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/XU3NJUPRPNDKBIRDERGLYHJ6NM.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes and BYU Cougars fans take in the game at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/THNWTFV67NFZ3P5PLFKA7FAXAU.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) fights to get off a shot as Utah Utes forward Kendyl Sanders (13) hits his arm as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SAQPFONLBND6BKPEBCSUYXSUUM.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) and BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) defend Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DUFUEWCXQVFNBHA7DJXOO6GQXU.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) fights for the ball with Utah Utes forward Kendyl Sanders (13) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ASTO6MAVDFEMZDJSCTZLPPJMVQ.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) battles BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/LR4E7533ZZH6BDPMALGUFFBJRA.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) argues a call as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BQA3FW3M5NHZNDVGHBLEB23JWA.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) is fouled by Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/VPQNVVJMGVE4BDKPJ7KXH4EJFU.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) hits Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) in the arm causing him to not catch a pass as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.84;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZCQPSU3OVFGUBBEAHB2BNWXNLQ.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"403\"\/>BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts after a whistle as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/V62NCQJHPZAVLDHZUTBW4IYGDU.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) isn\u2019t able to make a catch on a passed ball after BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) hit his arm as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/KSKCHCLMIJG75DMUP5OLJBY64M.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) blocks a shot attempt by Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.86;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/YTLP6477YNHYBLVFYDMYKGRMDU.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"398\"\/>BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) makes a face as he guards Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/QLIH4D76G5AFRNUJLAJAS2G46Y.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) and BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) work to defend Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.72;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JRFXLMW2DBEEJBKSEIMBMSNBN4.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"430\"\/>Utah Utes forward Josh Hayes (7) and BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) reach for the ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7XYMMZINVNEKFNDV26DOQ2R2AA.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) drives around BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) on his way to the hoop as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/EWYXBZDWB5BXLFPH72N3XBPJME.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) fives teamate Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) after McHenry made a touch bucket as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AOKU5SHDUBC5LH57ZNEXLGOVDY.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young, yells to his players as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JVDX5ROW2FGWVBRVRD4QIMGNHQ.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) guards Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6356JJQVDZEXFIAMDEG5BBFR4Y.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes head coach Alex Jensen, yells out to his players on the court as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HQNE7WZ3GRDWPP4DKGJJAXE7UU.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) is hit by BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) under the basket as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/VSBHVHEROJDWPKNCEFTMHIZDXU.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes guard Obomate Abbey (21) tries to knock the ball away from BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/UCVD422A25ETXOBKQ6BU3EXLPQ.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) and Utah Utes guard Obomate Abbey (21) work to trap BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as they play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/TRJLE5FLGBGDRBVSJTKQ3JNHYA.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) and BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) battle for the ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NI7ULFJ2UJHARNUEIHZJ7LF7UY.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) celebrates after hitting a three pointer as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/EXWJWI62SJDNPFZIUHT2KWIVGM.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) defends BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DW6H2N427BFZ7OUPIZKX3V2GHQ.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) argues a call after being whistled for fouling BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/O4GKB627PJEJ7CJT3BMNB55LTY.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) tries to avoid running into BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) on a three point shot as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/VRJS6R6ATZARLCT4FVJQJOEGPI.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) pushes up a three point shot as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/D5O4PHQ3LFGXRD6PLXGQIN4ZOE.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed yells after being fouled as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MBZ5DC7VLZDX3JX2WAZTBUBH4Q.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) fouls BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/W5G635SBFZDLRPTKDFOYTEJONE.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) watches as Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) grabs a rebound as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/WG72JDWGOVA4RIW62G7JOMKGAI.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) tries a free-throw but misses as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PTTLPIUNFZDLHHNQTJEMGZ4E7I.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) goes around Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4WGZJZWMYFASFD65DSKUFLKMAY.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) dribbles away from BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3AJMTBBU2BGC3HCLOSKRRZVONY.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) battles BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768288787_343_H5OJPZSCQJE3ZLDMJVLCCZYJSE.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars forwards Dominique Diomande (24) and AJ Dybantsa (3) jump in celebration after the Cougars defeated Utah 89-84 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768288788_648_D6CUQ5OZ3NAMLKCZI3QSWKSJAY.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes fans erupt after no foul was called late in the game as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. BYU defeated Utah 89-84. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768288789_483_OONOERSOWFBYLNGZAWRYOSR7RE.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes fans and BYU Cougars players gesture and jaw back and forth as the Cougars exit the arena after defeating Utah 89-84 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768288790_936_JOMO62TIBJDWPHV4NFN35J2C2A.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars center Abdullah Ahmed (34) and BYU Cougars forward Dominique Diomande (24) celebrate the Cougar win over Utah at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. BYU held on to win 89-84. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768288790_961_35QJQ2WQSVHNVEXGO34ZNX6RAM.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes forward Josh Hayes (7) falls as BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) grabs the loose ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768288791_663_RBEJ5WEPLBDLFL254HWZQMWC5M.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) blocks BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) at the hoop as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768288792_92_NMM67H4M65GHLO7WLETXWTHQHM.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) turns as Utah Utes forward Ibrahima Traore (31) celebrates causing a turnover as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768288793_913_CGL3DXVBIVEPVFPIQ5SCGGSZ7Q.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>Utah Utes forward Keanu Dawes (8) is defended by BYU Cougars center Abdullah Ahmed (34) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.70;background-color:#F3F1F0;cursor:pointer\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768288794_850_I6NDS5ZCGFBTRP33E2LBDIA334.JPG\"  width=\"740\" height=\"435\"\/>BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks the ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. |  Scott G Winterton, Deseret News <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Big 12 continues to be the NCAA\u2019s most dominant basketball conference. With No. 9 BYU\u2019s 89-84 win&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":533430,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[3724],"tags":[7,1111],"class_list":{"0":"post-533429","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-basketball","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-news-feed-local"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/115886584945053306","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533429","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=533429"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533429\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/533430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=533429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=533429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=533429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}