Texas vs BYU Prediction 3/19/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Texas Longhorns and the BYU Cougars meet Thursday in college basketball action from the Moda Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Texas Longhorns vs. BYU Cougars prediction.

Texas Longhorns Recap

The Texas Longhorns come into this one off of their 68-66 win over NC State last time out to book their spot in the Round of 64.

Longhorns Looking To Make Noise In NCAA Tournament

Dailyn Swain leads the Longhorns across the board with 17.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 3.4 APG while Matas Vokietaitis has 15.7 PPG with 6.9 RPG as well this season. Tramon Mark has 13.7 PPG with 3.4 RPG and 1.9 APG and Jordan Pope has 13.3 PPG with 2.1 RPG and 1.9 APG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Texas up to this point in the year. As a team, Texas is averaging 84.4 PPG on 49% shooting from the field, 35.3% from three and 74.9% from the foul line so far this season.

BYU Cougars Recap

The BYU Cougars come into this game as the 6-seed out of the Big 12, finishing the year with an overall record of 23-11. 

Cougars Looking To Avoid First Round Upset

AJ Dybantsa leads the Cougars in scoring with 25.1 PPG along with 6.8 RPG and 3.8 APG while Robert Wright III has 18.1 PPG with 3.6 RPG and a team-high 4.9 APG to lead BYU in assists and to cap off the pair of active double-digit scorers for BYU up to this point in the year. Keba Keita has 6.3 PPG with a team-high 6.9 RPG to lead BYU in rebounding this season. Kennard Davis Jr. also has 7.8 PPG as well this season. As a team, BYU is averaging 85.5 PPG on 48% shooting from the field, 35.2% from three and 74.6% from the foul line this season.

Texas Longhorns @ BYU Cougars Betting Trends: March 19, 2026

Why the BYU Cougars will win

• BYU has won each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Texas has lost three of its last four games.
• BYU has won the first half in each of its last four games against non-Conference opponents.

Why the Texas Longhorns will win

• Texas has won each of its last 10 Thursday games.
• BYU has lost six of its last eight NCAA Tournament games.
• Texas has won the first half in each of its last 14 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Total Points Facts

• Ten of Texas’ last 11 day games against the Big 12 Conference have produced a total of 156 or fewer points.
• Each of BYU’s last four day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 151 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• BYU ranks 23rd among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (84.3).
• BYU ranks 24th among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (29.7).
• Texas ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (19.8).
• Texas ranks T7th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (26.4).

Texas Longhorns vs. BYU Cougars Prediction

I’m on the Longhorns and the points here. Every year, there’s at least one team that plays a first four game that proceeds to win their next game and I think that could be Texas this year. BYU was hot and cold over the second half of the season, and I still have question marks about this BYU team without Richie Saunders as it puts pressure on a young AJ Dybantsa in his first NCAA tournament appearance here. I think Texasis live to win this game, so give me the Longhorns and the free bucket.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Texas +2.5