Texas overcomes Dybantsa, BYU for NCAA tournament upset - ESPN

PORTLAND, Ore. — Matas Vokietaitis had 23 points and 16 rebounds, and No. 11 seed Texas knocked off sixth-seeded BYU 79-71 on Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, overcoming 35 points from Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa.

After needing to beat N.C. State on Tuesday in the First Four just to reach the first round, Texas (19-14) advanced to face either third-seeded Gonzaga or No. 14 seed Kennesaw State on Saturday in the West Regional.

«One word I would use to describe our group is resilient,» Texas coach Sean Miller said. «As we entered this tournament in Dayton, I think all of us up here really came to grips with, you know, let's really go out playing at the highest level we can, sticking together.»

Dybantsa played every minute of the game but it wasn't enough as BYU (23-12) had its season — and perhaps his college career — come to an end. Dybantsa was two points shy of tying BYU's NCAA tournament record for points in a game, held by Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette.

«We understood that he has the ability to score like nobody else. But what we talked about was a jump shot by him was a victory for us,» Miller said. «What we couldn't afford was that he puts Dailyn (Swain) in great foul trouble or he fouls our entire team out.»

The freshman who led the nation in scoring with 25.3 points per game will be a candidate for the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft if he leaves school.

«I love this place. I'm happy I chose here, I definitely made the right decision,» Dybantsa said of his season at BYU. «As far as the season, it's tough dealing with adversity, but I'd rather do it with nobody else.»

Tramon Mark, who hit a fadeaway jumper from just inside the 3-point line with 1.1 seconds left for a 68-66 victory on Tuesday,