How BYU Basketball Has Performed Against Big 12 Conference Foes

PROVO, Utah – Unlike the football program, BYU basketball has always been in a conference. They are familiar with life as a conference member, but never have they been in a league as loaded as the Big 12.

BYU hoops will join the toughest conference in America on July 1, 2023.

The Big 12 in men’s basketball has produced the last two national champions. Even more notable about that accomplishment is that neither of those champions is named Texas or Oklahoma.

The Longhorns and Sooners are leaving the Big 12 for the SEC no later than June 30, 2025. But even when those two programs exit, basketball in the Big 12 will still have the top programs in Baylor and Kansas running the league, with Texas Tech on the rise.

It’s going to be a significant step up for BYU basketball. The Cougars are currently in the West Coast Conference. A league they’ve been in since 2011.

BYU basketball has faced members from what will be the 14-team Big 12 in 2023 a total of 84 times. Their record in those games is 47-37—an impressive record. But realize, 22 of those games were against former WAC and Mountain West rival TCU.

History of BYU Basketball games against the Big 12 Conference (2023)

Without the contests against TCU, BYU is 28-34 all-time against the other members of the new Big 12. Still, a solid record for a program that has never competed in power conference basketball in its history.

Here’s a look back at those BYU men’s basketball games against the teams that will soon be their league mates.

Baylor Bears

Games played: 10

All-time record: Series tied 5-5

Meetings:

• April 2, 2013: Baylor 76, BYU 70 (NIT Semifinals in MSG)
• December 21, 2012: Baylor 79, BYU 64 in Waco
• December 17, 2011: Baylor 86, BYU 83 in Provo
• December 1, 1979: BYU 100, Baylor 58 in Provo
• December 1, 1978: BYU 92, Baylor 86 in Waco
• December 22, 1962: BYU 75, Baylor 57 in Provo
• December 21, 1962: BYU 79, Baylor 65 in Provo
• December 18, 1954: Baylor 67, BYU 66 in Provo
• December 17, 1954: BYU 78, Baylor 66 in Provo
• March 24, 1950: Baylor 56, BYU 55 (NCAA Quarterfinals in Kansas City)

Home: 4-2

Road: 1-1

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 0-0/0-2

BYU faced Baylor three times in their first two years as members of the WCC. The first game of a home-and-home was in Provo, where Baylor rolled in as a top-10 team. Matt Carlino’s anticipated debut wasn’t enough for BYU as they fell to Perry Jones and No. 6 Baylor.

Before the WCC era, however, BYU defeated the Bears in five of the first seven meetings. One of the losses was in the NCAA Tournament in 1950.

Cincinnati Bearcats

Games played: Three

All-time record: BYU leads 2-1

Meetings:

• March 15, 2001: Cincinnati 84, BYU 59 (NCAA Tournament First Round)
• December 18, 1971: BYU 82, Cincinnati 79 (Jayhawk Classic in Kansas)
• January 3, 1931: BYU 41, Cincinnati 27 in Cincinnati

Home: 0-0

Road: 1-0

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 1-0/0-1

🚨 𝟳.𝟭.𝟮𝟯 🚨

🔗https://t.co/3I8vC7jI5e
📝 https://t.co/iGGAPJX8E7 pic.twitter.com/Yz5lZFxrr4

— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) June 10, 2022

There isn’t much history between BYU and Cincinnati on the hardwood. The two last met in the NCAA Tournament in San Diego. The five-seed Bearcats, led by Steve Logan, torch Steve Cleveland’s senior-laden BYU squad that was only four years removed from a one-win season in that March Madness tilt.

Houston Cougars

Games played: Eight

All-time record: Houston leads 5-3

Meetings:

• November 15, 2019: BYU 72, Houston 71 in Houston
• November 24, 2018: Houston 76, BYU 62 in Provo
• March 15, 2006: Houston 77, BYU 67 (NIT Opening Round)
• December 14, 1996: Houston 89, BYU 69 in Provo
• December 30, 1978: BYU 84, Houston 77 (Pillsbury Holiday Classic in Minnesota)
• December 14, 1968: Houston 98, BYU 75 (Cable Car Tournament in San Francisco)
• December 16, 1967: Houston 102, BYU 69 in Houston
• December 4, 1965: BYU 111, Houston 82 in Provo

Home: 1-2

Road: 1-2

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 1-1/0-0

TJ Haws beats Houston at the buzzer! #BYU pic.twitter.com/SSFg8H8Yeb

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) November 16, 2019

One of the great wins in the Mark Pope era was at Houston. In 2019, TJ Haws puts up a shot while falling away and gets a friendly bounce to drop, handing Houston only its second loss in the Fertitta Center. If we can get more games like that one in the Big 12 era, these will be some epic battles.

Some other notable All-Cougar matchups on the hardwood include the return of Dave Rose to his old stomping grounds during his first year as BYU’s head coach. BYU squared off against Houston in the opening round of the NIT.

In 1967, BYU faced an undefeated and No. 2 Houston team that defeated No. 1 UCLA one month later in the “Game of the Century.”

Iowa State Cyclones

Games played: Six

All-time record: Iowa State leads 6-0

Meetings:

• November 20, 2013: Iowa State 90, BYU 88 in Provo
• December 1, 2012: Iowa State 83, BYU 62 in Ames
• December 22, 2000: Iowa State 77, BYU 71 (Yahoo! Sports Invitational in Hawaii)
• December 12, 1957: Iowa State 54, BYU 45 in Provo
• December 6, 1956: Iowa State 57, BYU 48 in Ames
• December 15, 1931: Iowa State 47, BYU 28 in Ames

Home: 0-2

Road: 0-3

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 0-1/0-0

Like football, BYU has never defeated the Cyclones in men’s basketball. The last meeting in 2013 at the Marriott Center was an instant classic that went down to the final seconds before Iowa State, led by Georges Niang, squeaked out a victory.

Emotions in that game had the feeling of a Big 12 game that night in the Marriott Center. BYU center Eric Mika was poked in the eye, causing fans to be in an uproar.

Before 2012, BYU and Iowa State’s previous home-and-home scheduling agreement was in the 1950s.

Kansas Jayhawks

Games played: Five

All-time record: Kansas leads 4-1

Meetings:

• November 26, 2019: Kansas 71, BYU 56 (Maui Invitational)
• March 20, 1993: Kansas 90, BYU 76 (NCAA Tournament Second Round)
• December 17, 1971: Kansas 83, BYU 67 in Lawrence
• December 20, 1960: BYU 80, Kansas 70 in Provo
• December 19, 1959: Kansas 96, BYU 64 in Lawrence

Home: 1-0

Road: 0-2

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 0-1/0-1

Kansas is headed to the ‘ship! 💪

The No. 4 Jayhawks power past BYU to reach the Maui Invitational Championship! #KUbball pic.twitter.com/d4T0lY2quN

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) November 27, 2019

BYU got a taste of Kansas basketball in Mark Pope’s first season at the Maui Invitational. The two teams went into the halftime locker room with Kansas holding a 29-27 lead, but a huge second half from the Jayhawks led to KU pulling away from BYU.

Kansas that season was viewed as the nation’s best team before COVID-19 abruptly took away the season.

In 1993, the two programs met in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago. Rex Walters dropped 28 points on BYU.

The Jayhawks have never played in the Marriott Center. Kansas traveled to Provo once when they faced BYU in 1960 at the Smith Fieldhouse. BYU won that game, 80-70, behind 22 points from center Dave Eastis.

Kansas State Wildcats

Games played: Seven

All-time record: Kansas State leads 4-3

Meetings:

• March 20, 2010: Kansas State 84, BYU 72 (NCAA Tournament Round of 32)
• November 23, 2002: BYU 73, Kansas State 64 (Virgin Islands Paradise Jam)
• December 15, 1973: Kansas State 95, BYU 85 in Manhattan
• December 3, 1971: BYU 78, Kansas State 72 in Provo
• December 18, 1959: Kansas State 86, BYU 55 in Manhattan
• December 15, 1958: BYU 77, Kansas State 68 in Provo
• March 23, 1951: Kansas State 64, BYU 54 (NCAA Tournament Second Round)

Home: 2-0

Road: 0-2

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 1-0/0-2

March 20, 2010:

#2 K-State advances to the Sweet Sixteen after dropping #7 BYU in Round 2 of the NCAA Tournament, 84-72.@Jpullz0 🔥🔥🔥 34 points!@clemente_denis with 19 points and @CooleyKellz7 with 10 points! pic.twitter.com/Fwll7Y1lQL

— Sidelines – Kansas State (@SSN_KState) March 20, 2020

Kansas State ended BYU’s hopes of playing an NCAA regional in their own backyard of Salt Lake City. In 2010, with Jimmer Fredette leading the way, BYU lost to a Jacob Pullen-led Wildcats squad in Oklahoma City.

The Wildcats were the first opponent BYU faced in the 50-year-old Marriott Center. BYU won that game in 1971, 78-72.

Oklahoma Sooners

Games played: Four

All-time record: Series tied 2-2

Meetings:

• December 21, 1992: BYU 76, Oklahoma 75 (Maui Invitational)
• November 21, 1986: Oklahoma 119, BYU 110 in Norman (Pre-season NIT)
• December 16, 1961: BYU 81, Oklahoma 74 in Norman
• December 9, 1960: Oklahoma 60, BYU 56 in Provo

Home: 0-1

Road: 1-1

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 1-0/0-0

BYU’s last meeting with the Sooner was a memorable win for the Cougars. Kevin Nixon put back a missed shot by Nick Sanderson to give BYU a victory over the Sooners and send them to the second round of the Maui Invitational.

The Sooners have never played in the Marriott Center.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Games played: Seven

All-time record: BYU leads 4-3

Meetings:

• December 6, 2003: BYU 76, Oklahoma State 71 (Delta Center)
• January 4, 2003: Oklahoma State 78, BYU 65 (Ford Center in Oklahoma City)
• November 23, 1994: BYU 69, Oklahoma State 59 (Great Alaska Shootout)
• December 13, 1972: BYU 96, Oklahoma State 69 in Provo
• December 15, 1971: BYU 84, Oklahoma State 74 in Stillwater
• December 12, 1963: Oklahoma State 71, BYU 64 in Provo
• December 15, 1961: Oklahoma State 61, BYU 44 in Stillwater

Home: 1-1

Road: 1-1

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 2-1/0-0

BYU versus Oklahoma State in the 2003-04 season is among the great wins in BYU basketball history. In front of more than 16,000 fans at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Rafael Araujo scored 32 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to take down the nationally-ranked Pokes.

Oklahoma State went on to win the Big 12 and played in the Final Four that season with former BYU guard Daniel Bobik as a starter.

TCU Horned Frogs

Games played: 22

All-time record: BYU leads 19-3

Meetings:

• March 10, 2011: BYU 64, TCU 58 (Mountain West Tournament)
• February 19, 2011: BYU 79, TCU 56 in Fort Worth
• January 18, 2011: BYU 83, TCU 67 in Provo
• March 11, 2010: BYU 95, TCU 85 (Mountain West Tournament)
• March 6, 2010: BYU 107, TCU 77 in Fort Worth
• February 2, 2010: BYU 76, TCU 56 in Provo
• February 14, 2009: BYU 79, TCU 63 in Fort Worth
• January 13, 2009: BYU 73, TCU 61 in Provo
• March 8, 2008: BYU 61, TCU 54 in Fort Worth
• February 6, 2008: BYU 83, TCU 72 in Provo
• March 8, 2007: BYU 77, TCU 64 (Mountain West Tournament)
• February 10, 2007: BYU 85, TCU 72 in Fort Worth
• January 10, 2007: BYU 89, TCU 65 in Provo
• February 25, 2006: BYU 81, TCU 72 in Fort Worth
• January 25, 2006: BYU 89, TCU 80 in Provo
• March 2, 1999: BYU 90, TCU 74 (WAC Tournament)
• February 13, 1997: TCU 92, BYU 80 in Provo
• January 16, 1997: TCU 101, BYU 61 in Fort Worth
• December 6, 1985: TCU 63, BYU 50 (Kactus Klassic in Tempe, AZ)
• December 12, 1960: BYU 74, TCU 65 in Provo
• December 12, 1953: BYU 71, TCU 61 in Provo
• December 11, 1953: BYU 59, TCU 48 in Provo

Home: 9-1

Road: 6-1

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 0-1/4-0

BYU has won 16 consecutive games against TCU, dating back to an upset over the Horned Frogs in the 1999 WAC Tournament. When TCU joined the Mountain West, it coincided with when Dave Rose took over BYU hoops. The Cougars experienced a dominant era then and couldn’t be taken down by the Frogs.

The 1997 loss to TCU in Fort Worth was a controversy at the time as Billy Tubbs’ TCU team was chasing triple-digits late into the game against a one-win BYU squad. But outside of that, the basketball series between these two has been non-descript.

Texas Longhorns

Games played: Six

All-time record: BYU leads 4-2

Meetings:

• November 25, 2013: BYU 86, Texas 82 (College Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City)
• December 2, 1978: Texas 96, BYU 57 in Austin
• December 29, 1975: BYU 91, Texas 86 (Old Dominion Classic)
• November 29, 1974: BYU 80, Texas 72 in Provo
• December 20, 1969: Texas 76, BYU 73 in Austin
• December 9, 1967: BYU 63, Texas 50 in Provo

Home: 2-0

Road: 0-2

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 2-0/0-0

BYU defeated Texas in basketball two months after the beatdown in football earlier in the fall. The Cougars lead the all-time series against the Longhorns, with two of the victories coming in Provo. BYU has never won in Austin.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Games played: Four

All-time record: BYU leads 3-1

Meetings:

• December 22, 1995: Texas Tech 81, BYU 71 in Lubbock
• December 17, 1993: BYU 84, Texas Tech 74 in Provo
• December 18, 1969: BYU 88, Texas Tech 81 in Lubbock
• December 4, 1967: BYU 72, Texas Tech 58 in Provo

Home: 2-0

Road: 0-1

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 0-0/0-0

pic.twitter.com/vqkY1T4czv

— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 25, 2022

Two home-and-home series over the last five decades. That’s going to change a lot coming soon.

UCF Knights

Games played: Zero – Never met in Men’s Basketball

BYU fans will get winter escapes to Orlando and Walt Disney World soon.

Commence the countdown 🚀 #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/LAkWO7xQKo

— UCF Knights (@UCFKnights) June 10, 2022

West Virginia Mountaineers

Games played: Two

All-time record: Series tied 1-1

Meetings:

• December 29, 1973: BYU 85, West Virginia 83 (Far West Classic in Portland)
• December 8, 1947: West Virginia 68, BYU 51 in Morgantown

Home: 0-0

Road: 0-1

Neutral (Regular season/Postseason): 1-0/0-0

See you around in 2023 @UHCougars, @UCFKnights, @GoBEARCATS and @BYUCougars! 🤝#HailWV | @Big12Conference pic.twitter.com/tgdxIseTta

— WVU Sports (@WVUSports) June 10, 2022

When BYU plays a game in Morgantown, it will be nearly 80 years after the first trip back in 1947.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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