AJ Dybantsa had a memorable Saturday night, scoring 43 points on 15-of-24 shooting, 4-of-5 from three, and 9-of-10 from the line to lead No. 13 BYU (17-2, 5-1 Big 12) past Utah (9-11, 1-6) in a 91-78 win.
The performance from Dybantsa, who also posted 6 rebounds and 3 assists in a 36-minute effort against the Utes, solidified his claim as the nation’s best college basketball player. He also sent a message to his Kansas counterpart, Darryn Peterson, and to Duke’s Cameron Boozer, saying he is in the running for the top individual postseason awards.
AJ Dybantsa Puts Up an Impressive Showing in BYU’s Win Over Utah
The 6’9″ Dybantsa set a new freshman record for points in a game, topping Danny Ainge’s 36 from 1977, and became the first Cougar since Chase Fischer in 2015 to score 40 points.
Dybantsa’s strong performance drew immediate social media reactions. ESPN tweeted, “Is he the No. 1 pick?” sparking debate among fans and NBA teams.
AJ DYBANTSA SETS BYU FRESHMAN RECORD WITH 43 PTS 🤯
Is he the No. 1 pick? 👀 pic.twitter.com/E8nSdoSKW1
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 25, 2026
Overtime endorsed his NBA potential, posting: “AJ Dybantsa gotta go to the league right now.”
CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein compared Dybantsa to Tracy McGrady, emphasizing Dybantsa’s status as the top player that night.
Dybantsa Set for a Big Test Against Top-Ranked Arizona
The Brockton, Massachusetts native has passed every basketball test given to him in the past. He will have to weave his magic once again as the crucial stages of the NCAA men’s basketball season creep up, beginning with Monday’s game against No. 1-ranked Arizona (20-0, 7-0 Big 12).
MORE: BYU’s AJ Dybantsa Is the First Freshman in 30 Years To Do This
Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats come into the game with the best defense that Dybantsa and company have faced this season. Arizona has allowed 67.6 points per game this season and has won over defending champion Florida, 2023 and 2024 national winners UConn, and perennial NCAA Tournament teams UCLA, Auburn, and Alabama, proving they are one of the top teams to watch this season.
Arizona has the best defense Dybantsa, Robert Wright III, and Richie Saunders will face this season. They have size, depth, and an undefeated record to protect. This is the biggest game of Kevin Young’s tenure, and for Dybantsa, this is his chance to cement his status as the projected No. 1 pick or raise questions about whether he can produce against elite competition.
BYU lost to UConn and Texas Tech but beat No. 23 Wisconsin. Before the double-digit win over Utah, the Cougars had narrowly defeated Utah 89-84 earlier this season.
Kevin Young’s team has the talent to beat top teams, but inconsistency could hurt in key games, especially the upcoming one against Arizona.
Undefeated Arizona faces a BYU team that has won six of its last seven. The Big 12 title race could swing on this result. The Arizona-BYU game could shift next week’s AP Top 25 rankings, either keeping Arizona at No. 1 or moving BYU into the Top 10.
The main story is Dybantsa’s toughest college test yet. Can the 6’9″ freshman, fresh off breaking a Hall of Famer’s record, deliver against the top team? Monday’s game in Provo will reveal his true value.
