(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS – BYU basketball opens the 2025-26 season with a 71-66 win over the Villanova Wildcats.

The season-opener at T-Mobile Arena was a pro-BYU crowd, as Villanova coach Kevin Willard said, it was a road game for the Wildcats from the Big East.

Final: BYU 71, Villanova 66

Cougs open the season 1-0 pic.twitter.com/IQ4VTptr0P

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 4, 2025

Here’s a recap of the key moments from BYU’s win to start the season at 1-0.

First Half

15:57 – The first points of the season were from Keba Keita on a slam dunk. Moments later, AJ Dybantsa scored his first points as a BYU Cougar on a reverse layup.

BYU newcomer guard Rob Wright showed big-time moves around the basket in the opening minutes. Xavion Staton, the Las Veg

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