BYU coach says Houston got away with stuffing too much Dybantsa

BYU coach Kevin Young said Houston deserved to win Thursday but questioned why AJ Dybantsa couldn't make more free throws

KANSAS CITY — No college basketball player in the country gets to the free throw line more than BYU's AJ Dybants, who has now attempted 284 free throws in 34 games.

BYU basketball coach Kevin Young said Thursday after Dybantsa and the Cougars lost 73-66 to No.5 Houston in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament at T-Mobile Center, that the total should be more.

Saying that Houston, in his opening remarks at the postgame press conference for playing a "good game," said the Cougars in red "should win" because they played "an important game all along," Young waited until the first question got out of hand.

20 fouls were called on BYU, while 17 were called on Houston - considered one of the most physical and aggressive teams in college basketball.

Dibanca was 9 of 10 from the line and 7 of 18 from the field, finishing with a game-high 26 points.BIU guard Rob Wright went 3 for 4 from the line and had 15 points.

"Some (of the Cougars' 18 turnovers) probably got into the crowd, but I'd put it down to a run out of the gate," Young said.“AJ made 10 free throws.Rob Wright completed four.It never happened, and Houston beat us.They won the game.

"But AJ should have shot 20 free throws, at least, in that game. Rob Wright only shot four free throws. Guy drove every time. And (Emmanuel) Sharp shoots 10 -- and I'm not saying the officials were like, 'Oh, we're going to call it Houston, not BYU.'It resulted and that is disappointing.

To be fair, Sharp's six free throws came in the final 33 seconds as BYU fouled out to run out the clock.His first trip to the lane came after Houston grabbed an offensive rebound.The Red Cougars converted 14 offensive rebounds into 19 second-chance points, the game's dominant stat.

"When you play in Houston, you have to keep the possession game pretty close to the best you can," Young said."There were too many offensive rebounds down the stretch. They turned us over too much. We also turned them over (19 times), but that was really the story."

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BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) defends a drive to the basket by Houston Cougars guard Emmanuel Sharp (21) during the first half of the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 20, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri.|Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery: 2 of 47

BYU Forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dribbles up the court every half first and quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. |

Houston Cougars center Chris Cenak Jr.(5) celebrates after scoring during the first half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 12, 2026. |Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery 47:

Houston Cougars guard Milos Ozan (7) looks to get past BYU guard Aleksi Kostek (6) during the first half of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball quarterfinals at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026 |Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery: 5 of 47

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) gets past Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) for a rebound in 2026.Phillips 66 during the first half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinals at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, Giyan2 Gallery Photo 6.47

Houston Cougars center Chris Sinac Jr. (5) and BYU center Keba Keita (13) battle for a loose ball during the first half of the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament in Kansas City, Mo.Gallery: 7 of 47

BYU forward Khadim Mboup (7) defends Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the first half of the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026. |Rio Gaancarylo

BYU forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) talks with BYU center Abdullah Ahmed (34) as they take the court after a timeout during the first half of their game against the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament.Rio Giancarlo, 9 Photo Gallery of 47

Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) makes a jump shot during the first half against BYU during the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026. |Rio Giancarlo news photo gallery: 10 of 47

BYU forward AJ Dybanza (3) collides with Houston Cougars guard Emmanuel Sharp (21) as he drives to the basket during the first half of the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at T-Mobile, Mo., on March 26 in downtown Kansas City.|Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery: 11 of 47

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.Rio Giancarlo: 12 of 4 Photo Gallery: ,12

BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) and Houston Cougars forward Mercy Miller (25) reach for a loose ball after bringing down Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the first half of the quarterfinals of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament in Missouri City, March 12, 2026, T-2026.|Rio Giancarlo, News Photo: 13 of 47 image

Houston Cougars head coach Calvin Sampson tells his players to be alert during the first half of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal against BYU at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.Rio Giancarlo, Photo Gallery News4714:

Court details during the quarterfinals between BYU and the Houston Cougars during the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery 4: 715

Before BYU Mihailo Boskovic (5) reacts after a first-half 3-pointer against the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Boys Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Jedi 12 March 16. Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery: 4716: Photo Gallery

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) was healthy when he drove in a basket between Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and Houston Cougars guard Mercy Miller (25) in the first half of the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament, Kansas City, Kansas City, March 1, MarchKansas City 6. Kansas City.|Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery: 17 of 47

BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) and forward AJ DiBantza (3) celebrate after a basket during the first half against the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament |Gallery: 18 of 47

BYU center Keba Keita (13) dunks over Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) midway through the fourth quarter of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026. |Rio Gian471, News Photo Gallery: 9 a.m.

Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) looks to get past BYU forward Dominic Diomande (24) during the first half of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball quarterfinals Thursday, March 12, 2026, at T Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives to the basket for a layup against Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the first half of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, March 12, 2026. |Rio Giancarlo, News Photo gallery: 21 of 47

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) and Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) battle for a rebound during the second half of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament quarterfinals at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, Newscar122 |Photo gallery: 22 of 47

BYU quarterback Kennard Davis Jr. (30) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Mercy Miller (25) during the second half of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinals. News Photo Gallery: 23 of 47

BYU coach Kevin Young calls out his players in the second half against the Houston Cougars in the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball quarterfinals at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026.Rio Giancarlo.

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts after a no-call in the second half of the game against the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026. |Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery: 25 of 47

Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) reacts after taking a hard fall while fighting for a loose ball in the second half against BYU in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12 |2Rio,20602 Gallery G46

Sweat runs down the face of BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as he hydrates during the second timeout against the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 210. 27 of 47

Houston Cougars guard Mills Uzan (7) dribbles against BYU forward Khadim Mbup (7) during the second half of the 2026 Big 12 Phillips 66 Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinals at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.Thursday, 2021 |Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery: 28 of 47

Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson reacts to a foul called on one of his players during the second half of the game against BYU in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery: 29/47

BYU guard Aleksej Kostić (6) shoots a three-pointer in the second half of a game against the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Big Phillips 66 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Houston Cougars forward Chase McCarthy (24) celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer late in the second half during the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2020 in Newcar, R,202.31 of 47

Kansas City Chiefs head coach and BYU alum Andy Ried attends the regular season game between BYU and the Houston Cougars in the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.|Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery: 32 of 47

Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) celebrates after hitting a three-pointer late in the second half against BYU in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. |Rio of Photo Gallery473,33.

From left, BYU guard Robert Wright III (1), forward AJ Divanza (3) and head coach Kevin Young look on during a press conference after a 73-66 loss to the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Thursday at T-MOC City Center 16, Feb. 20.Photo gallery: 34 of 47

BYU coach Kevin Young looks on during a news conference after a 73-66 loss to the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery : 35/47

BYU forward AJ DiBanza (3) looks on at the press conference after losing to the Houston Cougars 73-66 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 12, 2026. Rio Giancarlo News Photo Gallery: 36 of 47

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) looks around Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the second half of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball game at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026 News: June 3, 2026 News: March 3, 2026

BYU forward AJ DiBuntsa (3) faces Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tuglar (11) during the second half of the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 22, 2026. Gallery.photos of Rio Giancarlo, 38 of 47:

Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) shoots a three-pointer over BYU forward Khadim Mboupe (7) during the second half of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament quarterfinals at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12 Photocarryan.39 of 47

BYU forward AJ Dybants (3) drives past Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during a break in the first half of the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026.|Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery: 40 of 47

Houston Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson shouts to his players during the first half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026. |Rio Giancarlo, News Photo: 41 of 47

BYU center Keba Keita (13) passes Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the first half of the Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball quarterfinals at T-Mobile Center on March 12, 2026 in Kansas City.Rio Giancarlo, News Gallery: 42 of 47

BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) celebrates after a concussion during the first half of a game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.

BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) celebrates with forward AJ Dybants (3) after a first half game against the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026 |R 4 |

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 12, 2026.Rio Giancarlo News of Photo Gallery:74

BYU forward Dominic Diomonde (24) dunks in the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament Thursday, March 12, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.: GR20, |46/47

BIU forward Dominic Diomande (24) dunks during the first half against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 20, 26. Rio Giancarlo, News Photo Gallery 47 47:

Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) and BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) go for a loose ball during the first half of the quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, March 62.was 7 of 8 from the line in the first 20 minutes.He was 2-for-2 in the second half as the Cougars' offense ran in front of the BYU bench, and Young clearly saw all of his young superstar's drives and shots.

When it was suggested that Dybantsa had an "off night", Young asked the reporter what he meant by that.

"How was your night?"Yang asked."He made 7 of 18 shots, 9 of 10 free throws, 3 of 5 three-pointers, and scored 26 points. It was a really bad night."

Afterward, Young said Dybantsa should have been able to repeat the 40-point performance he had two nights ago against Kansas State, but he wasn't allowed to.

"He can do everything on the court that he wants to do as a basketball player," Young said."I'm not trying to be snappy. I think it's a great offensive game. You should have, as I said, people should have had 40 again, and I'm just calling a spade a spade."