{"id":660349,"date":"2026-03-16T01:12:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T01:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/660349\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T01:12:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T01:12:23","slug":"5-former-cougars-are-headed-to-ncaa-tournament-deseret-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/660349\/","title":{"rendered":"5 former Cougars are headed to NCAA Tournament \u2013 Deseret News"},"content":{"rendered":"

BYU fans will recognize a number of familiar faces in this year\u2019s NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n

Five former Cougar players will be dancing with new teams, four of whom reached the tournament during their time in Provo.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at how each of the onetime BYU talents have fared this season and who they\u2019ll face in the round of 64.<\/p>\n

Dallin Hall, 3 seed Virginia\"\"Virginia guard Dallin Hall (30) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida State, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Tallahassee, Fla. | AP <\/p>\n

Facing 14 seed Wright State on Friday in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a memorable senior campaign for Hall.<\/p>\n

After three years at BYU, the Utah native headed east to Virginia, where his pass-first style at point guard fit has fit perfectly within head coach Ryan Odom\u2019s offense.<\/p>\n

Hall has made 34 starts for UVA, averaging 5.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game as the Cavaliers reached the ACC title game.<\/p>\n

In conference play, Hall ranked sixth in the ACC in assists (4.6 per game) and first in assist to turnover ratio (3.6).<\/p>\n

Across three seasons and 100 games as a Cougar, Hall averaged 7.7 points and 4.1 rebounds and played in four NCAA Tournament contests. <\/p>\n

Such experience will be paramount in leading UVA to a deep run of its own this March.<\/p>\n

Aly Khalifa, 6 seed Louisville\"\"Louisville center Aly Khalifa talks to teammates from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against SMU in the second round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, March 11, 2026. | AP <\/p>\n

Facing 11 seed South Florida on Thursday in Buffalo, New York.<\/p>\n

The Egyptian Magician is back in the Big Dance.<\/p>\n

After being sidelined with an injury for all of last season, Khalifa returned to the hardwood this year and assisted in Louisville earning its 45th tournament appearance in program history.<\/p>\n

The backup big man came off the bench in 33 games to average 3.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He also shot 40.7% from 3-point range, ranking third among all qualified Cardinal players.<\/p>\n

In 2023-24 at BYU, Khalifa started in 26 games and scored 5.7 points per contest, but his impressive passing ability at the center position made him a fan favorite and resulted in 4.0 assists per game.<\/p>\n

Against No. 6 Duke on Jan. 6, Khalifa scored a season-high 17 points and shot a perfect 5 for 5 from behind the arc.<\/p>\n

Kanon Catchings, 8 seed Georgia\"\"Georgia forward Kanon Catchings (6) plays during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. | AP <\/p>\n

Facing 9 seed Saint Louis on Thursday in Buffalo, New York.<\/p>\n

Once the highest-rated recruit in BYU history, Catchings has found a home with the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-9 sophomore started 31 games for Georgia, posting averages of 12.0 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 38.6% from 3-point range.<\/p>\n

Serious shotmaking, 32 points from Kanon Catchings last night in a W vs. Alabama. Very smooth perimeter game for a 6-9 wing. Goal next year to create more rim pressure, FTAs. pic.twitter.com\/BYW4FXuPz5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

During his lone season at BYU, Catchings started 15 games before being relegated to a bench role, scoring 7.5 points in just under 18 minutes per game.<\/p>\n

Despite Catchings\u2019 19 points, six rebounds and three steals, the Bulldogs fell 76-72 to Ole Miss in their lone SEC tournament contest.<\/p>\n

Catchings did post five 20-point outings this season, including a 32-point outburst with seven made triples in a 98-88 upset of No. 16 Alabama on March 3.<\/p>\n

Tanner Toolson, 9 seed TCU\"\"TCU guard Tanner Toolson (55) shoots a free throw during an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. | AP <\/p>\n

Facing 8 seed Ohio State on Thursday in Greenville, South Carolina.<\/p>\n

After starring at Utah Valley for two seasons, Toolson will make his NCAA Tournament debut with TCU.<\/p>\n

Toolson served as a bench weapon for the Horned Frogs in his first year in Fort Worth, averaging 8.0 points per game with 11 outings of 10+ points, including a 19-point performance in the Big 12 tournament\u2019s second round against Oklahoma State.<\/p>\n

The junior guard began his career at BYU in 2022-23, but injuries limited him to just six games as a true freshman. <\/p>\n

Toolson then transferred to UVU, where he averaged 11.5 points per game from 2023-25 and made 32.5% of his 3-pointers as an All-WAC honoree.<\/p>\n

Hunter Erickson, 13 seed Hawaii\"\"BYU guard Hunter Erickson (0) brings the ball up court against Gonzaga in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Provo, Utah. | AP <\/p>\n

Facing 4 seed Arkansas on Thursday in Portland, Oregon.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been quite the college basketball journey for Erickson, who will finish his career looking to make history with Hawaii.<\/p>\n

After two seasons each at both BYU and Utah \u2014 with a year at Salt Lake Community College in between \u2014 the Provo native landed in the Aloha State for his senior campaign.<\/p>\n

Erickson has started 32 games for the Rainbow Warriors, averaging 8.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists while playing a key role in the team\u2019s Big West tournament championship and first NCAA Tournament berth since 2016.<\/p>\n

MIDNIGHT MADNESS!! Hunter Erickson sinks the BUZZER BEATER fadeaway jumper. Hawai\u2019i wins 67-66 over UC Irvine pic.twitter.com\/YFGOy2nQLH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) January 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Hawaii has only won a single tournament game in its history, and Erickson will attempt to lead an upset of Arkansas to double the program\u2019s Big Dance win total.<\/p>\n

In two seasons at BYU, Erickson appeared in 27 games. The Cougars will also be playing in Portland this week.<\/p>\n