Texas Longhorns vs BYU Cougars Picks and Predictions for Thursday, March 19, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Texas Longhorns face the BYU Cougars at the Moda Center on Thursday in Portland, Oregon, for an NCAA Tournament West Region first-round matchup at 7:25 PM ET on TBS. Texas is 19-14 overall and advanced through the First Four with a 68-66 win over NC State on Tuesday. BYU enters at 23-11 overall after finishing 9-9 in Big 12 play and losing 73-66 to Houston in the conference tournament quarterfinals. BYU is listed as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 159.5. Let’s cash another ticket with our free college basketball picks.
Texas Relies on Balanced Scoring and Interior Strength
Texas averages 83.8 points per game while allowing 76.5, built around strong interior scoring and strong rebounding. Dailyn Swain leads the Longhorns with averages of 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 55.1% from the field, giving Texas a consistent scoring presence in both half-court sets and transition. Matas Vokietaitis adds 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 63.1%, providing a reliable option around the rim.
Tramon Mark contributes 13.5 points per game, and Jordan Pope adds 13.3 while shooting 37.5% from three-point range, giving Texas multiple perimeter scoring options. The Longhorns shoot 48.6% from the field and average 37.7 rebounds and 12.3 assists per game, but turnovers remain an issue at 11.0 per contest.
Defensively, Texas records 5.8 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while using size to control the glass. In the First Four win over NC State, Texas held a rebounding edge of 45-33 and controlled the game for long stretches despite shooting just 37% from the field.
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Key Injuries - Texas Longhorns
- Lassina Traore — Out
BYU’s Perimeter Firepower Fuels Its High-Scoring
BYU averages 83.9 points per game, built around perimeter shooting and guard play. AJ Dybantsa leads the Cougars with averages of 25.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 51.3% from the field. Dybantsa scored 26 points against Houston and remains the focal point of the offense.
Robert Wright III is the second leading scorer, averaging 18.2 points, and the leader in assists, averaging 4.7 per game, while shooting 42.2% from three-point range, providing a strong perimeter presence. Richie Saunders contributes 18.0 points per game and shoots 37.6% from beyond the arc, giving BYU multiple scoring threats on the perimeter. The Cougars average 13.5 assists and shoot 47.7% from the field as a team.
Defensively, BYU allows an average of 75.3 points per game, recording 7.2 steals and 4.4 blocks per game, using length to disrupt passing lanes and protect the rim. However, turnovers were an issue in the loss to Houston, where BYU committed 18 and struggled to maintain offensive rhythm in the second half.
Key Injuries - BYU Cougars
- Dawson Baker — Out
- Brody Kozlowski — Out
- KJ Perry — Out N
- ate Pickens — Out
- Richie Saunders — Out
- Xavion Staton — Game Time Decision
Texas Longhorns vs BYU Cougars Pick - Spread
- BYU -1.5
Texas showed toughness in the First Four, but this matchup presents a different challenge against a BYU team with multiple perimeter scoring options. The Cougars have three players averaging at least 18 points per game and can stretch the floor, forcing Texas to defend beyond the paint. While Texas has the size advantage inside, BYU’s ability to score from the perimeter and create spacing gives the Cougars the edge in a tight game. BYU covers the spread.
Texas Longhorns vs BYU Cougars - Over/Under Pick
- Over 159.5
Both teams average more than 83 points per game and play at a pace that supports high scoring. Texas pushes tempo and looks to score inside, while BYU relies on strong perimeter shooting and ball movement. Defensive inconsistencies on both sides, combined with strong offensive production, point toward a higher-scoring game. With multiple scoring options on the floor for both teams, this matchup trends toward the over cashing.
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