BYU vs. Kansas State: Three thoughts entering Big 12 Tournament matchup
Mar 9, 2026, 11:03 PM | Updated: Mar 10, 2026, 10:00 am
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – All of the twists and turns for BYU basketball during the regular season can go in the rearview mirror as the postseason is here.
BYU tips off postseason action this season against Kansas State in the opening round of the 2026 Big 12 Tournament at the T-Mobile Center.
The Cougars enter the Big 12 Tournament as a 10-seed, while K-State is a 15-seed.
BYU’s 10-seed is a far cry from the preseason expectations, which included a top-10 ranking in the AP Top 25.
Still, after a big home win over nationally-ranked Texas Tech, BYU enters the Big 12 Tournament with some momentum.
BYU vs. Kansas State: Three Thoughts
Here are three thoughts entering the Big 12 Tournament matchup.
1. Will the simple intensity continue to show up?
BYU kept things simple against Texas Tech, particularly on the defensive end with their rotations. Does that continue against a K-State team that is crawling to the finish line with an interim coach?
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“It is,” BYU coach Kevin Young said on ‘simple’ being the approach entering the Big 12 Tournament. “I think it allows our guys to just play hard without thinking as much. It allows the coaches to hold these guys accountable for very simple things and just let their effort, instead of making a scheme change, challenge the effort.”
The intensity on the defensive end was noticeable for BYU against the Red Raiders. If that continues, BYU has the potential to make a run.
BYU will look to slow K-State star PJ Haggerty down.
The Honorable Mention All-Big 12 selection has scored more than 30 points four times this season.
Haggerty is averaging 23.3 points this season, while shooting 49.3% from the field.
2. Keba Keita is fine
Late in BYU’s win over Texas Tech on Saturday, starting center Keba Keita was limping at the end.
When asked by KSL Sports on Monday after practice about Keita’s status for Tuesday evening, Young noted, “He looks fine.”
BYU coach Kevin Young said Keba Keita is fine and “looks good” in advance of the Big 12 Tournament. pic.twitter.com/ubIiyCWLMD
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 9, 2026
Young continued, “I think everybody’s played through injuries. Everyone’s kind of banged up this time of year, but, you know, he looks good.”
Keita had nine points and 11 rebounds in the win over Texas Tech.
His presence on the glass can create second-chance opportunities, along with his ability to be a rim-roller and rim-protector.
3. Expect a high-tempo game
BYU and Kansas State finished 14th and 15th, respectively, in scoring defense during Big 12 play this season. The Cougars allowed 82.3 points, while K-State gave up 83.6.
BYU’s lone regular-season meeting against K-State on January 3 was tied for the second-fastest tempo game for the Cougars in Big 12 play.
BYU won that game 83-73.
“They like to get up-and-down, particularly after misses. They really do as good, if not a better, job than any team in the country. So our transition defense has to be. Our ability to offensive rebound has got to be good to try and slow them down.”
Big 12 Freshman of the Year AJ Dybantsa scored 24 on 15 shot attempts in the first meeting against K-State.
10-seed BYU vs. 15-seed Kansas State
2026 Big 12 Basketball Tournament First Round
Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Tip-off: 5 p.m. (MDT)/6 p.m (CDT)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYUathletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
