BYU basketball is actively hunting top-tier competition for their non-conference schedule, and they'll get a taste of serious high-profile competition during an exhibition match in Delta Center.
Quote-unquote "neutral site games" in Salt Lake City is nothing new to BYU basketball, even under Kevin Young who saw his Cougars square off against the Wyoming Cowboys on the home floor of the Utah Jazz during last year's non-con slate.
This year, as was announced by new Athletic Director Brian Santiago during a Fathers' and Sons' camp, the booster-shot Cougars will get their first taste of competitive basketball via an exhibition bout with North Carolina.
Carolina may not be quite the giant they once were years ago, but facing a big name in a first-glimpse matchup for what may be the strongest roster ever assembled at BYU is a strong indicator that Kevin Young's crew isn't scared to show what they're capable of, even if that means facing the toughest groups in college hoops.
That's a club BYU is rapidly approaching, and could gain conditional entry into with a strong 2025-26 campaign. That starts with a no-stakes battle with the Tar Heels in what could be AJ Dybantsa's first time in a BYU uniform.