It’s impossible to call Kevin Young’s first season at BYU anything less than a slam dunk. Yes, Thursday night’s result against Alabama wasn’t ideal, as the Cougars gave up an NCAA Tournament record 25 3-pointers in a 113-88 loss in the Sweet 16.

Fittingly for an NCAA Tournament in which big schools from big conferences took a record numbers of spots, the Final Four will be four No. 1s to play for the title.

Jim Nantz praises the University of Houston Cougars' loyalty as they reach the Final Four, highlighting their commitment amid shifting college basketball trends.

Houston is one game away from the seventh Final Four in school history and faces Tennessee in the Midwest Regional final.

On March 30, 1925, the Victoria Cougars of the Western Canada Hockey League defeated the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens 6-1 to clinch their best-of-five series, becoming the last non-NHL team to raise Lord Stanley's cup.

Baker’s journey to this Sweet 16 has differed from most of his teammates. Following a full-time Latter-day Saint mission to Guam, the Southern California native landed at UC Irvine, where he played three seasons, scored more than 1,000 points and blossomed into an All-Big West talent.

Just as they did in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Duke and Houston will play in March Madness this season. This time it’s in the Final Four national semifinals at San Antonio.

If Alabama knocks off BYU, it earns a contest against the winner of Duke-Arizona — another pair of accomplished offensive squads. Should the Tide corral the Cougars, another excellent defensive effort Saturday will be necessary to advance to a second-straight Final Four. Thus, Alabama’s defense determines the fate of its season.