BYU Basketball Stuns No. 1 Gonzaga: Inside the Cougars’ Thrilling Upset and What It Means for March Madness

PROVO, Utah — The No. 9 BYU Cougars return to Marriott Center tonight looking to extend their 13-1 start and keep momentum rolling in their first Big 12 season when they host the Arizona State Sun Devils at 7 p.m. MST. Below is everything fans and searchers need to know about BYU basketball’s latest injury report, rising stars and key storylines ahead of the nationally streamed matchup on NBC Sports Network/Peacock. Keba Keita’s status in doubt Starting center Keba Keita is officially listed as “doubtful,” giving him only a 25 percent chance to play after posting a dominant 11-point, 16-rebound double-double at Kansas State last weekend. If the 6-10 senior can’t go, head coach Kevin Young is expected to turn to rim-protector Abdullah “Biddo” Ahmed, stretch-five Mihailo Boskovic or 7-footer Khadim Mboup to anchor the paint. AJ Dybantsa continues freshman of the year campaign Projected lottery pick AJ Dybantsa poured in 24 points in Manhattan and leads BYU at 19.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game after sweeping last week’s Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Week honors. His explosive first step and improved three-point stroke (41 percent) have transformed the Cougars into one of college basketball’s highest-scoring offenses (86.4 ppg). Recapping BYU’s statement Big 12 opener The Cougars opened league play with an 83-73 road victory over Kansas State, dominating the glass 47-35 behind Keita’s career-high 16 boards despite 19 turnovers. The win vaulted BYU back into the AP Top 10 and reinforced national perceptions that the Big 12 newcomer is already a conference contender. Arizona State scouting report ASU arrives in Provo on a three-game skid and a lengthy injury list: seven Sun Devils are ruled OUT for tonight, including former Cougar transfer Marcus Adams Jr., while 6-foot-11 starter Santiago Trouet is expected to return from a one-game absence. Guard Jamiya Neal (14.2 ppg) headlines a roster that leans on pace and perimeter shooting but ranks 312th nationally in rebound rate — a potential mismatch if BYU’s front line is even moderately healthy. What a win would mean for BYU • 14-1 overall, 2-0 in Big 12 play • An eighth straight home victory dating back to last season • A chance to climb into the top five of next week’s AP poll and strengthen early NCAA tournament seeding projections Key numbers to watch • Rebounds: BYU is +11.3 on the boards; ASU is –4.6. • Three-point percentage: Cougars 39 percent vs. Sun Devils 32 percent. • Turnovers: BYU’s lone weakness (14.1 per game) kept Kansas State close; ASU forces 15.8. How to watch and stream BYU vs. Arizona State • Tip-off: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7 p.m. MST • TV & Streaming: NBC Sports Network and Peacock (subscription required) • Radio: KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM / 1160 AM Bottom line If Dybantsa stays out of foul trouble and BYU limits turnovers, the nation’s ninth-ranked team should overpower a short-handed Arizona State squad and keep its dream debut Big 12 season on track. All eyes now turn to Keita’s pre-game warm-up — his availability could swing the rebounding margin and, by extension, the outcome.