KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With the regular season behind them, BYU basketball now shifts its focus to postseason play as it prepares to face Kansas State in the opening round of the 2026 Big 12 Tournament at the T-Mobile Center.
The Cougars enter the tournament as the No. 10 seed, while Kansas State comes in as the No. 15 seed. BYU’s seeding is well below the expectations set before the season, when the team was ranked inside the AP Top 25’s top 10.
Despite the disappointing path to this point, BYU gained some confidence heading into the tournament after securing a major home victory over nationally ranked Texas Tech.
Here are three key storylines to watch heading into BYU’s matchup with Kansas State.
1. Can BYU Maintain Its Defensive Intensity?
In its win over Texas Tech, BYU relied on a simplified defensive approach, focusing on effort and clean rotations rather than complex adjustments. Head coach Kevin Young said keeping things simple allows players to focus more on playing hard and holding one another accountable.
That defensive energy was noticeable against the Red Raiders, and if BYU can replicate that effort, it could position the team to make a deeper run in the tournament.
Containing Kansas State star PJ Haggerty will be a major challenge. The Honorable Mention All-Big 12 guard has scored over 30 points four times this season and is averaging 23.3 points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
2. Keba Keita Appears Healthy
Late in BYU’s victory over Texas Tech, starting center Keba Keita appeared to be limping, raising concerns about his availability for the tournament.
However, Coach Young indicated after Monday’s practice that Keita looks ready to play. He acknowledged that many players are dealing with bumps and bruises at this point in the season but said Keita appears to be in good shape.
Keita played an important role in the win over Texas Tech, finishing with nine points and 11 rebounds. His presence in the paint is valuable for securing rebounds, protecting the rim, and creating scoring opportunities through second chances.
3. Expect a Fast-Paced Matchup
Both teams struggled defensively during conference play this season. BYU ranked 14th in scoring defense in the Big 12, allowing 82.3 points per game, while Kansas State ranked 15th, giving up 83.6 points per contest.
Their previous meeting on January 3 was played at one of the fastest tempos BYU experienced in Big 12 competition this year, with the Cougars winning 83–73.
Kansas State likes to push the pace, especially after defensive stops, meaning BYU’s transition defense will be crucial. Controlling rebounds will also be important to limit the Wildcats’ opportunities to run the floor.
In the first meeting between the teams, Big 12 Freshman of the Year AJ Dybantsa led BYU with 24 points on 15 shot attempts, and the Cougars will look for another strong performance from the standout freshman in the tournament rematch.
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