logo
BYU plays in Big 12 Tournament against the Iowa State

BYU plays in Big 12 Tournament against the Iowa State

Yahoo13-03-2025

Iowa State Cyclones (24-8, 15-7 Big 12) vs. BYU Cougars (23-8, 14-6 Big 12)
Kansas City, Missouri; Thursday, 12:30 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cyclones -2.5; over/under is 146.5
BOTTOM LINE: No. 17 BYU plays in the Big 12 Tournament against No. 12 Iowa State.
The Cougars' record in Big 12 play is 14-6, and their record is 9-2 against non-conference opponents. BYU averages 81.4 points and has outscored opponents by 11.3 points per game.
The Cyclones are 15-7 against Big 12 opponents. Iowa State is 1-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
BYU averages 10.6 made 3-pointers per game, 3.2 more made shots than the 7.4 per game Iowa State gives up. Iowa State scores 9.9 more points per game (80.0) than BYU allows (70.1).
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Cougars won 88-85 in the last matchup on March 5. Richie Saunders led the Cougars with 23 points, and Joshua Jefferson led the Cyclones with 19 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Keba Keita is averaging 6.8 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Cougars. Saunders is averaging 17.3 points over the last 10 games.
Jefferson is averaging 12.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals for the Cyclones. Milan Momcilovic is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cougars: 8-2, averaging 82.1 points, 31.9 rebounds, 17.1 assists, 6.3 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.1 points per game.
Cyclones: 7-3, averaging 76.4 points, 30.1 rebounds, 15.2 assists, 8.9 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.2 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend appears to have heated NBA Finals moment with Thunder fans
Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend appears to have heated NBA Finals moment with Thunder fans

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend appears to have heated NBA Finals moment with Thunder fans

Jade Jones, the girlfriend of Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, appeared to exchange words with Thunder fans during Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City on June 8, 2025. Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend seemingly had a tense exchange with someone in the stands during Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday. Jade Jones, who made the trip to Oklahoma City to support the Pacers guard, appeared to argue with Thunder fans at Paycom Center, as seen in a video on social media. Advertisement Jones stood up and pointed her finger in the direction of Thunder fans dressed in blue T-shirts, however, they weren't seen in the video. It's unclear what exactly was said, though Jones didn't seem happy. Jones, who is a former Iowa State cheerleader, has supported Haliburton throughout the Pacers' playoff run — and didn't back down from dishing trash talk to Knicks fans during the Eastern Conference Finals. Jade Jones, the girlfriend of Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, appeared to exchange words with Thunder fans during Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City on June 8, 2025. X The couple, who began dating while they were students at Iowa State, celebrated six years together in April. Jones skipped out of Paycom Center on Thursday after Haliburton hit the game-winner with 0.3 seconds left to steal Game 1. Jade Jones, the girlfriend of Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, before Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City on June 8, 2025. Instagram/Jade Jones Things didn't go as well for Indiana on Sunday. Advertisement The Thunder steamrolled the Pacers in Game 2, 123-107, to even the best-of-seven series at 1-1. Oklahoma City was in control throughout the entire game, holding a 23-point lead in the second quarter. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton brings the ball up court during Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder on June 8, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty Images Haliburton finished with 17 points, three rebounds and six assists. NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points for the Thunder — after he totaled 38 points in Game 1. His 72 points in these finals are the most points by a player in their first two NBA Finals games in history, surpassing Allen Iverson's previous best of 71. The NBA Finals shift to Indiana for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Friday.

Top 10 men's college basketball players with highest NIL valuations
Top 10 men's college basketball players with highest NIL valuations

Fox Sports

time10 hours ago

  • Fox Sports

Top 10 men's college basketball players with highest NIL valuations

Cooper Flagg has been one of the big winners of the name, image and likeness (NIL) era in college sports, reportedly earning a staggering amount of money during his one year at Duke. However, top recruits and NBA Draft prospects aren't the only winners in the NIL era. At least 50 early-entry candidates withdrew their names from the 2025 NBA Draft ahead of the late May deadline with plans to return to school and cash in on NIL opportunities. "This year's draft class, more than any ever, has been affected by the NIL and the new pay-for-play," Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told NBC Sports Boston in May. "The money can be higher in some of these schools than the bottom of the 20s in the draft. Good for them." The former Butler coach's assertion seems to be correct when you look at On3's most valuable college athletes entering the 2025-26 academic year. Let's take a look at the 10 most valuable players in men's college basketball entering the 2025-26 season, via On3. 1. BYU F AJ Dybantsa ($4.1 million) Dybantsa is the highest-valued non-football college athlete entering the 2025-26 academic year, coming in at No. 4 on the overall list. The incoming BYU freshman, who is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the 2025 college basketball recruiting class (via 247 Sports), already has reported deals with Nike and Red Bull. But the bulk of his potential college earnings might have come with the deal he struck with BYU's NIL collective, reportedly securing a deal worth around $7 million . That's just scratching the surface on Dybantsa's potential career earnings, though, as many prognosticators have him being one of the top few picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. 2. Texas Tech F JT Toppin ($2.8 million) Toppin had Texas Tech on the precipice of its second Final Four appearance, leading the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight in 2024-25. As a result, the program rewarded him in order to ensure he wouldn't enter the transfer portal or 2025 NBA Draft. It was reported that Toppin is expected to earn $4 million in NIL after he announced his decision to remain in Lubbock in April. Toppin's reported deal with Texas Tech's NIL collective is the only reported NIL deal he has. Toppin won Big 12 Player of the Year and was named a second-team All-American after scoring 18.2 points per game in the 2024-25 season. He's the 12th-highest-valued player in college sports, per On3. 3. Michigan F Yaxel Lendeborg ($2.3 million) Michigan not only got Lendeborg to remain in college for another season, but it also made him one of the highest-valued players in the sport. After the UAB transfer removed his name from the 2025 NBA Draft in late May, CBS Sports reported that Lendeborg received an NIL package from Michigan worth around $3 million. Prior to his decision to remain in school, Lendeborg was viewed as a potential first-round pick in June's draft. Now, the two-time first-team All- AAC member will play his final year of college hoops in Ann Arbor, giving Dusty May's Wolverines the No. 1 player in the transfer portal this offseason, per 247 Sports. He's also the 20th-highest valued player in college sports, per On3. 4. Florida G Boogie Fland ($2.1 million) Fland also profited from his decision to remain in college, but transfer to a different school. The former Arkansas guard declared for the 2025 Draft, but removed his name from consideration and opted to head to Florida and receive an NIL package from its collective worth over $2 million, according to CBS Sports . Fland, who averaged 13.5 points per game as a freshman in 2024-25, was the 22nd-ranked prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle, via 247 Sports, giving the defending champs another player with high upside. Fland is also the 22nd-highest-valued player in college sports, per On3. 5. UCLA G Donovan Dent ($2 million) UCLA didn't need to incentivize Dent to remain in school. However, Dent was incentivized to make the move from New Mexico to UCLA earlier this offseason. The 2024-25 Mountain West Player of the Year reportedly received a $3 million NIL deal to transfer to UCLA in March, according to The Santa Fe New Mexican . He received $2 million of that deal up front, while he'll earn the other $1 million during the 2025-26 season. Dent, who is the 23rd-highest-valued player in college sports, averaged 20.4 points per game as a junior last season. 6. Kentucky F Jayden Quaintance ($1.9 million) Quaintance is the youngest player on this list. Even though he won't turn 18 until July, Quaintance already has a year of college hoops experience, playing at Arizona State this past season. After being named to the Big 12's All-Defensive and All-Freshman teams, Quaintance entered the portal and landed at Kentucky. While he has a pair of reported deals with PSD Underwear and Panini America, Quaintance likely cashed in on Kentucky's growing NIL budget, too. Kentucky is rumored to be one of the three-highest NIL spenders in college basketball for the 2025-26 season , helping Mark Pope land a talented transfer portal class. Quaintance, who is also ranked No. 26 in On3's most valuable college athletes list, is rehabbing from an ACL tear, but he's hopeful to be back on the court early next season as he seeks to be a top pick in the 2026 draft. 7. Purdue G Braden Smith ($1.9 million) Smith decided to forgo early entry into the 2025 NBA Draft, opting to play one more season at Purdue. Smith, who has reported NIL deals with Hey Dude Shoes and The NIL Store, also has a reported deal with Purdue's NIL collective, per On3. However, it wasn't reported if Smith agreed to a new deal with the collective when he announced his decision to remain in college for another year. Regardless, the Boilermakers will have the reigning Bob Cousy Award winner, Big Ten Player of the Year and one of the Naismith National Player of the Year finalists back on their roster for his senior season. That's something that was becoming a rarity in the pre-NIL era. Smith is ranked 28th in On3's most valuable college athletes list. 8. Cincinnati C Moustapha Thiam ($1.8 million) Another transfer, Thiam moved on from UCF to Cincinnati following his freshman season in 2024-25. Ranked 32nd in On3's most valuable college athletes list, Thiam doesn't have any reported deals with a brand, per On3. However, he inked a $2 million NIL deal to join Cincinnati, the Orlando Sentinel reported in April . Thiam averaged 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game this past season. 9. Purdue C Oscar Cluff ($1.7 million) Purdue is the only team with multiple players on this list. Unlike Smith, though, Cluff transferred into the Boilermakers' program in the offseason. The 34th-ranked player in On3's most valuable college athletes list, Cluff doesn't have any reported deals with any individual brands. However, Cluff's junior college basketball coach insinuated that he turned down a school that offered more NIL money to join Purdue in an interview with the IndyStar . Cluff helped South Dakota State reach the NCAA Tournament this past season, averaging 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. 10. Kansas State G PJ Haggerty ($1.7 million) A year after making Coleman Hawkins one of the highest-paid players in the NIL era , Kansas State dished out another rich deal for a top transfer. Haggerty, ranked 35th on On3's most-valued college athletes list, reportedly agreed to a $2.5 million deal ($2 million base, $500,000 incentives) with Kansas State, according to On3 . That's actually lower than what he was seeking, as his father believed he could've snagged a $4 million NIL deal, the Field of 68 reported . Haggerty doesn't have any reported NIL deals with a brand, per On3. He was third in the nation in scoring this past season, averaging 21.7 points per game at Memphis. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Get more from College Basketball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

Egor Demin Nears NBA Dream Amid Political Turmoil With Home Country
Egor Demin Nears NBA Dream Amid Political Turmoil With Home Country

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Yahoo

Egor Demin Nears NBA Dream Amid Political Turmoil With Home Country

Egor Demin Nears NBA Dream Amid Political Turmoil With Home Country originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In three weeks, former BYU point guard Egor Demin is expected to hear his name called in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. But as the 19-year-old prepares for the life-changing moment at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, controversy looms from his home country of Russia. Advertisement On Tuesday, The Moscow Times reported that Russia's Ministry of Justice added Brigham Young University to its list of 'undesirable' organizations. The rare designation carries criminal penalties for any Russian nationals affiliated with such groups. Under Russian law, this could put Demin at legal risk if he returns to home. Despite the news, Demin remains closely tied to BYU. The Moscow Times report left BYU faculty stunned, including Jeff Hardy, a professor specializing in Soviet history. 'Complete shock,' Hardy told Sam Foster of BYU's Universe Sports. 'This appeared to come out of nowhere." Experts speculate the blacklisting may be linked to a February panel at BYU titled 'Russia as a Global Threat,' hosted by a U.S. State Department official. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which sponsors BYU, was not named on the list, according to the report from Foster. The Russian government has not explained why BYU was blacklisted, and the school has not released an official response. Advertisement Related: Big 12 Official Makes Final Decision on Controversial Penalty From BYU-Utah On the court, Demin's NBA stock is trending upward. Many NBA Draft analysts have said that Demin 'looked great' during the NBA Combine and may be peaking at the right time. Demin, who helped lead BYU to the Sweet 16, is praised for his rare size and elite passing but must prove his shooting can be consistent. Despite political tensions, Demin continues to publicly embrace BYU. He still lists '@byumbb' in his Instagram bio and has expressed intentions to finish his degree with the university in the future. During an April interview, he said, 'I was coming here with faith, and I am leaving with a bigger faith.' Related: BYU Officials Send Clear Message About Jake Retzlaff's Future in Provo While his path to the NBA is set, what lies ahead in his relationship with Russia remains uncertain. Whether Commissioner Adam Silver utters 'BYU' on draft night may hold more significance than anyone expected. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store