CBS Sports Names BYU National Championship Contender Next Year originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Money is changing the Big 12. Texas Tech and BYU aren’t just flush with cash, they’re redefining the conference’s elite teams. As the league tries to close the gap on the SEC and Big Ten, an influx of elite talent is making the Big 12’s top tier as competitive as it’s ever been, according to CBS Sports.
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Eight of the top 20 recruits in the Class of 2025 are headed to Big 12 schools, and headliners like Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa could be No. 1 picks in next year’s NBA Draft. It’s a new era and winning the conference will take six straight wins in March.
BYU enters 2025-26 with its most anticipated roster ever. New head coach Kevin Young brings an NBA approach to Provo, and the Cougars are loaded. Dybantsa, who is the top overall recruit, is an explosive wing who could dominate college basketball. He’ll be surrounded by a perfect supporting cast, including Baylor five-star transfer Rob Wright. Sharpshooter Richie Saunders returns and could flirt with a 50-40-90 season. Keba Keita provides toughness and rim protection in the post.
Southern Illinois transfer Kennard Davis and 6-foot-10 forward Mihailo Boskovic give BYU even more firepower. With depth and athleticism that BYU teams of the past couldn’t match, the Cougars have the flexibility and talent to make a real title push.
Ahead of them in the Big 12 are Houston and Texas Tech, according to CBS Sports. Two programs built for deep runs come tournament time.
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Houston returns Milos Uzan, Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler. Three key players who posted a +32 net rating together in Quad 1 games last year. Add in elite freshmen Isiah Harwell and Chris Cenac, and Kelvin Sampson’s team is once again built to contend for a national championship.
Related: Big 12 Official Makes Final Decision on Controversial Penalty From BYU-Utah
Texas Tech is led by Grant McCasland going into the upcoming season. The Red Raiders bring back Christian Anderson and JT Toppin and add Washington State forward LeJuan Watts, along with multiple mid-major standouts. VCU transfer Luke Bamgboye brings elite rim protection, giving McCasland plenty of lineup flexibility.
Related: BYU Officials Send Clear Message About Jake Retzlaff’s Future in Provo
The Big 12 may be shifting in power, but it’s only getting stronger. BYU is surging into the national spotlight, along with Houston and Texas Tech, who present an interesting case to carry the conference deep into March.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
