BYU Basketball makes an appearance in recent Bracketology

Sure, we're only in the month of July, but it's never too early to start speculating about college basketball (what do you think I've been doing for the last few months?). BYU Basketball, in particular, has been a fascinating team to follow over the offseason, after getting caught in the coaching carousel and spit out with an upgrade at the head coach position in Kevin Young.

When projecting the success of this team, finding the sweet spot between reasonable and absurd expectations is key--especially when a team has dealt with as much turnover as these Cougars. ESPN's Joe Lunardi has updated his NCAA Tournament Bracketology, and I naturally dug in to look for a BYU appearance.

The new-look BYU Cougars are currently slated as an 8th seed facing off against Ole Miss. Funnily enough, this would be the second meeting between these two teams, and we'd hope for a Cougar victory both times.

After finishing 5th in the Big 12 and securing a 6-seed in last season's tournament, the Cougars' early exit is a memory most would like to forget. BYU is now looking into the teeth of a bigger, badder Big 12, as nearly every team has bolstered their roster. If BYU wants to make an appearance in the Big Dance, they'll need a resume that shows a strong run through the Big 12 gauntlet.

Armed with new weapons in Egor Demin, Kanon Catchings, Elijah Crawford, and more, this team has the talent to replicate the regular season success that the 2023-24 Cougs achieved. Still, many question marks are flying around the current structure of BYU hoops with a new coaching staff and fresh additions to the roster via freshmen recruits and the transfer portal, the Cougars still have plenty to prove.

This should be an exciting season for BYU Basketball, win or lose. Of course, we're still way to early to get ahead of ourselves, right?

More BYU Cougars News: