Texas Longhorns vs. No. 21 BYU Cougars: Preview, Betting Odds, How to Watch

The Texas Longhorns visit the No. 21 BYU Cougars on Saturday afternoon in Provo.

Author:
Zach Dimmitt
Jan 26, 2024 11:00 AM EST

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AUSTIN -- The Texas Longhorns will look to continue a potential season-altering stretch when they visit the No. 21 BYU Cougars in Provo on Saturday afternoon.

Texas (14-5, 3-3) is coming off of big wins over then-No. 9 Baylor in Austin last Saturday and No. 11 Oklahoma in Norman on Tuesday. The Longhorns have had the two best wins of their season so far come in the span of a week, but keeping up this momentum on the road against a talented BYU team could be hard to come by.

Despite a 2-4 record in conference play, the Cougars (14-5) have fared well so far during their first season in the Big 12. They took No. 4 Houston to the brink in a 75-68 loss on Tuesday but handled a tough Iowa State squad in a 87-72 home win a week prior.

Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu (1) and forward Dillon Mitchell (23) celebrate defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena.
© Aaron Doster, USA TODAY

BYU has five players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Jaxson Robinson (13.7), a former Texas A&M and Arkansas transfer. The Cougars are a versatile team and have the numbers to back it up, as they lead the Big 12 in points (84.4) and rebounds (41.9) per game while also surrendering the fourth-fewest points per contest (65.4) to opposing offenses.

Texas forward Dillon Mitchell is currently second in the Big 12 in rebounds per game (8.8) after finishing with eight points, 13 boards and two blocks in the win over OU. He spoke Thursday about how the team has found its defensive identity over the past two games.

"I want to be a player who's known for defense … my biggest goal is to win a national championship at Texas,” Mitchell said. “I know in order for us to do that, we got to play defense."