Preview: Seed BYU vs. Seed West Virginia in Big 12 Quarterfinal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — A recent regular-season result and a marquee individual matchup will define the quarterfinal clash between seed BYU and seed West Virginia in the Big 12 men’s basketball championship Wednesday.

The teams met just 12 days ago in Morgantown, with the Mountaineers (18-13) securing a 79-71 home victory. That result provides a tangible edge for West Virginia, but the Cougars (21-10) enter with significant momentum from a 105-91 offensive showcase against Kansas State on Tuesday.

The spotlight will be on a duel of standout guards. BYU is powered by freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa, who is playing at an elite level. He dropped 40 points in the win over Kansas State and has averaged 28.1 points over his last eight games, including a 20-point effort in the loss at West Virginia.

He will be matched against West Virginia’s dynamic guard Honor Huff, who led his team with 19 points and six assists in the Feb. 28 win over BYU. Huff is coming off a 24-point performance in a rout of UCF last Friday.

The game presents a critical opportunity for both teams to bolster their NCAA Tournament resumes. BYU, with a stronger overall record, seeks to avenge its recent loss and solidify its seeding. West Virginia, hovering closer to the bubble, likely views this as a must-win to feel secure on Selection Sunday.

The Cougars’ high-octane offense, which leads the nation in 3-pointers made per game, will test a West Virginia defense that held them to 39% shooting in the first meeting. Conversely, the Mountaineers must handle BYU’s defensive pressure, which forces turnovers at a high rate.

Tipoff is set for approximately 2:30 p.m. CDT at the T-Mobile Center. The winner will advance to face top-seeded Houston in Thursday’s semifinals.