Threes, Defense Key to BYU Surviving First Round vs. VCU

Threes, Defense Key to BYU Surviving First Round vs. VCU

> The Cougars look to avoid a repeat of last season's early exit against an Atlantic 10 school

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  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports

   March 20, 2025

The entire season has led up to this point for BYU. To say a lot is on the line is an understatement.

BYU has won nine of its last 10 games, marred only by a loss to No. 1 seed Houston.

After a stellar campaign that landed the Cougars at No. 17 in the final regular-season AP Top 25, a loss to VCU would be as embarrassing as it would be disappointing.

No. 6 BYU vs No. 11 VCU

Thursday, March 20
1:05 pm PT, TNT
East Region, Denver

The Cougars hope to avoid a repeat of last year when they entered the First Round as a No. 6 seed and made a quick exit, losing to a No. 11 seed.

The parallels don’t end there. Last year’s Round of 64 opponent, Duquesne, hailed from the Atlantic 10, just like VCU.

But it doesn’t matter what conference the Rams play in.

They’re No. 8 nationally in field goal percentage defense, and KenPom has the VCU defense at No. 24 in his efficiency metric.

That would rank the Rams as the No. 6 defense in the Big 12.

Their offense is no joke, either.

At No. 45 in KenPom’s offensive efficiency metric, the Rams have what it takes to pull off the upset.

VCU guard Max Shulga scored 18 vs George Mason | Nick Wass/AP

BYU has one of the best offenses in college basketball, thanks to an abundance of treys.

Hence, the primary concern surrounding Cougars all season: What happens if they go cold from three?

The Rams have the No. 20 three-point percentage defense in the country so the usual torrent from beyond the arc is far from a given.

To keep from making another early departure from the Big Dance, BYU needs to perform better on defense than the metrics suggest they may be capable of playing.

VCU has won 18 of its 20 games since New Year’s Day, and in both losses, the Rams were held to under 20% shooting.