The BYU Cougars head to Lawrence to take on the Kansas Jayhawks in one of the most anticipated college basketball games of the season. Our BYU vs. Kansas prediction has the projected starting lineups and a full score forecast with analysis for this Big 12 showdown.
BYU vs. Kansas Projected Lineups and Key Matchups
BYU Cougars Starting Lineup
- Robert Wright III (15.8 PPG)
- Kennard Davis Jr. (7.2 PPG)
- Richie Saunders (17.4 PPG)
- AJ Dybantsa (23.6 PPG)
- Keba Keita (7.8 PPG)
Kansas Jayhawks Starting Lineup
- Darryn Peterson (21.6 PPG)
- Melvin Council Jr. (13.7 PPG)
- Kohl Rosario (8.4 PPG)
- Tre White (14.9 PPG)
- Flory Bidunga (12.8 PPG)
Kansas owns a 4-3 all-time record versus BYU dating back to their first meeting on Dec. 19, 1959. However, BYU is undefeated versus KU since joining the Big 12 and has beaten the Jayhawks in back-to-back seasons.
Kansas, of course, has arguably the best home court advantage in the sport. This will be the 1,000th game in Allen Fieldhouse, and Bill Self has a bonkers 94% win percentage at home in his 20+ years as Kansas head coach.
BYU vs. Kansas Prediction and Preview
Generally speaking, I’m not a big “moral victories” person. Not at this level. If Sally from down the street scored the first bucket of her season in a U13 hoops game that her team would go on to lose, fine. High-level basketball with the type of money that is involved these days? Not so much.
That said, if such a thing exists, it took place on Monday for the Cougars. BYU trailed top-ranked Arizona for 79% of the game, saw the deficit swell to 19 points, and attempted seven fewer free throws than the visitors made … and they had a good look to take the lead in the final minute.
This team is fueled by AJ Dybantsa, a sure-fire top-5 pick when this season ends, but they are more than that, and there is a level of grit to this team that is encouraging when paired with an elite prospect.
MORE: PFSN’s 2025-2026 Men’s CBB Power Rankings
As for the Jayhawks, they’ve now won four straight, a run that started with an ultra-impressive 21-point win over an Iowa State team that I believe has Final Four traits.
They also have a NBA-ready freshman in Darryn Peterson, and given the struggles of BYU to slow Arizona’s guards (allowing Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries to score 55 points on 17-of-28 shooting with 19 FTA), there’s a non-zero chance we are looking at a very special performance from Kansas’ best.
I think the stars ultimately balance one another out in this one, leaving Tre White (senior guard for KU, playing for his fourth school in as many years) in a spot to decide this game for better or worse.
Prediction: Kansas 78, BYU 76
How To Watch BYU vs. Kansas
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 31, 2025
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Lawrence, KS
- Arena: Allen Fieldhouse
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: FuboTV
