BYU basketball: Biggest upsets in Cougar history

We’ve already covered the biggest upsets in BYU football history. But as Independence Day rolls along, it’s time to look at the best in BYU basketball history.

America winning its independence over Britain is the greatest upset in the history of the world. So, in my estimation, there’s no better way to celebrate than by remembering some of the biggest and wildest BYU basketball upsets.

One of the more interesting aspects of the list of BYU basketball upsets is how many of these games are recent.

While BYU fans would like to see the Cougars knock off Gonzaga more often, there’s no denying that the game is becoming a rivalry – because BYU has forced it.

But let’s begin with some honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

1958: BYU 77 – No. 3 Kansas State 68

The Wildcats came to Provo with All-American Bob Boozer, but BYU basketball protected its house. The Cougars handed KSU its only loss of the season. K-State would finish 20-1 and be the No. 1 team in the nation. The Cougars, on the flipside, won just 15 games.

1965: BYU 103 – No. 2 Saint Joseph’s 83

I can only find one source documenting this quote, so it’s probably best to take it with a grain of salt. But boy is it a good one.

St. Joes’ guard Matt Goukas had been asked about BYU basketball’s prolific offense (the Cougars scored 100+ points in four of their first five games). According to this Deseret News article, Goukas said:

"“If BYU scores 100 points on us, I’ll walk back to Philadelphia.”"

I don’t think he walked back, despite the Cougars shellacking the Hawks. St. Joseph’s would go on to win two games in the NCAA Tournament, while BYU captured the NIT Championship.