Full Breakdown
BYU Basketball Opens Season with Exhibition Against Nebraska
10/18/2025, 1:08:40 PM
Overview of the Exhibition Matchup
Brigham Young University (BYU) basketball is set to begin its season with an exhibition game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday, October 18, 2025. This match marks a significant shift in NCAA regulations, allowing programs to host two exhibition games with ticket revenue and televised broadcasts. The game will take place at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, with tip-off scheduled for 11 a.m. Mountain Time (Noon Central Time). Following this, BYU will host the North Carolina Tar Heels in another exhibition on October 24.
Key Players and Expectations
The Cougars enter the season ranked No. 8 in the AP Top 25 poll, marking the highest preseason ranking in the program's history. The team is led by preseason All-Big 12 selections, including Richie Saunders and AJ Dybantsa, the nation's top recruit for the class of 2025. Nebraska, while not ranked, is positioned just outside the top 50 in KenPom ratings and is coming off a successful season, having won the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament.
Coaches' Perspectives
BYU head coach Kevin Young and Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg, both with NBA backgrounds, have established a collaborative approach for this exhibition. Young noted, “We did have an agreement on certain things... Just so we can both get the most out of it.” This transparency is intended to enhance the experience for both teams, allowing them to test their strategies without the pressure of a counted game.
Attendance and Broadcast Information
The exhibition is expected to draw a significant crowd, with only upper deck tickets remaining at the 15,500-seat arena. However, the game will not be broadcast on linear television; instead, it will be available for streaming on the subscription service Big Ten Plus.
Criticism and Opposition
While the exhibition format has been welcomed by many, some critics argue that the lack of traditional broadcasting limits accessibility for fans. Additionally, the novelty of the exhibition games raises questions about their competitive value compared to regular-season games.
What's Next for BYU and Nebraska
Following the exhibition against Nebraska, BYU will prepare for its next matchup against North Carolina, while Nebraska will look to build on its performance as it heads into the regular season. Both teams aim to leverage these early games to assess their rosters and strategies ahead of the competitive season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was talking to Fred Hoiberg, and I said, ‘Hey, man, look, this is really our first time doing it. So what do you want to do? And we were just kind of having some conversations,” — Kevin Young, BYU Head Coach
- “There is a terrific tradition between the two schools, and I’m grateful that we could find a way to get the rivalry game back on the schedule,” — Alex Pribble, Idaho Head Coach
This exhibition game not only serves as a season opener for BYU but also as a platform for both teams to gauge their readiness for the upcoming challenges in the NCAA basketball landscape.
