Keba Keita Locks Down Paint With Back-To-Back Blocks Against VCU
Mar 20, 2025, 2:59 PM | Updated: 3:13 pm
DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 20: Keba Keita #13 of the Brigham Young Cougars attempts a free throw against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the first half at Ball Arena on March 20, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER – BYU center Keba Keita has been a menace in the paint all season long for the Cougars.
From very early on in the first-round NCAA Tournament game. he showed the VCU Rams exactly why they shouldn’t test him.
business as usual for @Keba_Keita_13 pic.twitter.com/pbZJmdKuU2
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 20, 2025
In the first half, Keita posted five points, two rebounds, and two blocks. Both of his rejections were emphatic, to say the least.
Not only were they highlights, but they were only separated by about a minute of action.
Keita followed his block on Joe Bamisile by swatting Jack Clark with even more aggression.
anotha one.pic.twitter.com/fkZ3VYr7Md
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 20, 2025
Coming into the matchup, BYU was seen as an offensive power, and VCU the defensive team that could slow them down.
Keita showed the Rams that the Cougars can, in fact, do it on both ends.
BYU Opens March Madness Run Against VCU Rams
BYU basketball opens up its NCAA Tournament run against the VCU Rams in the East Region today.
Following a 24-9 season and a semifinal appearance in the Big 12 Championship, the Cougars earned a 6-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Seen by many as a lower-seeded team with the potential for a deep run, BYU will first have to make it through the 28-6 Rams.
VCU starts three fifth-year seniors and often relies on their defense to suffocate opposing teams. They finished the year ranked 23rd in KenPom defensive efficiency. They are also No. 1 in the nation in effective field goal percentage.
It is far from an easy test but BYU is still favored by most outlets.
BYU Gameday Reading
- BYU vs. VCU: Three NCAA Tournament Game Day Thoughts
- Score Prediction For BYU’s NCAA Matchup Against VCU
- VCU Coach Ryan Odom Shares Thoughts On NCAA Matchup With BYU
- Unloading The Notebook From BYU’s Open NCAA Tournament Day In Denver
- VCU Star Max Shulga Reflects On Past History Against BYU
- BYU’s Kevin Young Compares NCAA Tournament Stage To NBA Finals
- Will BYU Make An NCAA Run? College Basketball World Weighs In
- BYU’s Richie Saunders Scores Big With Tater Tot NIL Deal
Follow BYU and the NCAA Tournament on KSL Sports
The Cougars received a No. 6 seed in the East Region and will open the “Big Dance” in Denver on Thursday against No. 11 seed VCU.
Follow the BYU Cougars with KSL Sports here.
