(Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)

PROVO, Utah – The 2025-26 season is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in BYU men’s basketball history, and for good reason.

The return of All-Big 12 first teamer and Big 12 Most Improved Player Richie Saunders and the addition of AJ Dybantsa, the highest-ranked prospect in program history, give the Cougars a higher ceiling than almost any team in the nation.

ESPN Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi is buying into the hype, listing Kevin Young’s squad as a two-seed in the West region . If the projection holds, it would be the highest seed for any BYU team.

RELATED: BYU Basketball’s Big 12 Schedule Set For 2025-26 Season

Notably, Lunardi’s ‘Way too early’ projection does not include the Utah Utes or recent tournament regula

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