The Colorado Buffaloes are set to face off against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Marriott Center, with the Buffaloes seeking to capitalize on their recent 2-3 run to climb out of the bottom half of the Big 12 standings, where they currently sit with a 4-8 conference record. Meanwhile, the Cougars, with a 6-5 conference record, are looking to regain their footing after a 1-4 stretch, which has seen their NET ranking slip to 19. The Cougars' quad record, boasting a 5-6 mark against Quad 1 opponents, will be put to the test as they take on the Buffaloes in a Quad 1 matchup for Colorado.
Brigham Young Cougars' 12-1 Home Record This Season Includes an Average Margin of Victory of 18.4 Points
The game is scheduled to take place on February 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET, at the Marriott Center, and will be broadcast on ESPN2. Fans can also stream the game online through the ESPN app.
The Colorado Buffaloes have struggled to find consistency this season, compiling a 14-11 overall record and a 4-8 mark in conference play. With a NET ranking of 79, the Buffaloes are in dire need of quality wins to enhance their tournament prospects. Their quad record, which includes a 1-7 mark against Quad 1 opponents, a 3-3 record against Quad 2 foes, and a 6-1 record against Quad 3 teams, underscores the importance of this matchup. Over their last three games, the Buffaloes have gone 1-2, with their most recent loss coming by a margin of 12 points.
The Brigham Young Cougars, with an 18-6 overall record and a 6-5 conference mark, have established themselves as a top-4 seed contender in the tournament. Their NET ranking of 19 and a quad record of 5-6 against Quad 1 opponents, 5-0 against Quad 2 teams, and 3-0 against Quad 3 foes, demonstrate their ability to compete against top-tier opposition. However, their recent form has been a concern, with a 1-4 record over their last five games, including a 10-point loss in their most recent outing. The Cougars want to exploit their significant home-court advantage, where they have compiled a 12-1 record this season.
The Cougars' high-powered offense, which averages 83.1 points per game, will be pitted against the Buffaloes' defense, which has allowed an average of 74.2 points per contest. Brigham Young's ability to shoot from beyond the arc, with a 38.5% three-point percentage, will be a significant factor in this matchup. The Buffaloes, on the other hand, have struggled with turnovers, committing an average of 14.1 per game, which could play into the hands of the Cougars' opportunistic defense. The pace of the game will also be crucial, as the Cougars prefer a faster tempo, averaging 72.4 possessions per game, while the Buffaloes have been more methodical, with an average of 68.1 possessions per contest.
CHD Scout Prediction
Colorado
72
BYU
87
For the Buffaloes, junior guard Tristan da Silva has been a bright spot, averaging 18.5 points per game over his last five outings, including a 25-point performance in their most recent win. Meanwhile, senior forward Jabari Walker has struggled, scoring just 10.3 points per game over the same span, down from his season average of 14.1 points per contest. For the Cougars, senior guard Alex Barcello has been on a tear, scoring 22.1 points per game over his last seven appearances, including a 30-point effort in a recent loss. Sophomore forward Caleb Lohner has also been a key contributor, averaging 12.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game over his last six outings.
The CHD Scout prediction favors the Brigham Young Cougars by a margin of 15.1 points, with an 89.2% win probability. This projection is based on the Cougars' significant advantages in terms of NET ranking, quad record, and home-court performance. The predicted score of 87-72 in favor of the Cougars suggests a high-scoring affair, with the Cougars' offense likely to prove too potent for the Buffaloes' defense.
A win for the Colorado Buffaloes would be a significant boost to their tournament resume, as it would represent a Quad 1 victory and improve their record against top-tier opposition. Conversely, a loss would deal a significant blow to their already slim tournament hopes. For the Brigham Young Cougars, a win would help to solidify their position as a top-4 seed contender, while a loss would raise concerns about their recent form and ability to compete against quality opponents.