CBS gives BYU the Third Best Odds to Win First Ever Hoops Title

Everyone is always searching for their first.

First job, first kiss, first fight, first car, first taste of the McRib, life is filled with first.

In the world of sports, nothing is as sweet as that first ever championship and players/teams spend years even decades chasing that coveted tier of success, some to find it multiple times, others to never come within grasp.

Few groups daydream about their first like BYU basketball fans I would imagine.

Despite BYU basketball never appearing in a title game, let alone making it to the final four, this offseason has provided some serious fuel to the potential championship flames.

The Cougars retained key Seniors like Richie Saunders and Keba Keita.

They struck gold on the transfer portal with Rob Wright III from Baylor, Kennard Davis Jr. from SIU and Dominique Diomande who was committed to Washington.

And above all, BYU of course landed the #1 recruit in the nation in AJ Dybantsa next to solid commits like Xavion Stanton.

The Cougars were also sure to lock down their coach, Kevin Young, coming into his second year after a sweet 16 run in his debut year.

With changes and additions, the likes of which Provo has never witnessed, fans will be filled with a new hope and the basketball world will have their eyes glued to what BYU can do.

With unprecedented preseason hype comes unprecedented projections.

Take for example Cameron Salerno of CBS Sports.

Salerno just released his ‘Five College Basketball teams most likely to win first NCAA tournament title in 2026” in which you can read the entirety of here:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/ranking-five-college-basketball-teams-most-likely-to-win-first-ncaa-tournament-title-in-2026/

In the midst of Purdue, Houston, Alabama and Auburn sits the boys in royal blue.

#3 BYU finds themselves slightly behind their Big 12 mate in Houston, but to be on a list with some of the more prestigious programs speaks volumes to how high expectations are in Provo.

BYU is given +2000 odds despite being the only program on the list without a single final four appearance.

Those odds trump Alabama’s +3500 and Auburn’s +2500 on the list.

Salerno’s exact words on BYU are as follows:

“If you aren't paying attention to what's happening at BYU, you probably should be. Last year, the program landed highly touted prospect Egor Demin, who projects as an early-to-mid first-round pick in this month's draft. Demin helped BYU reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011 when Jimmer Fredette was still with the team.”

“Demin was a solid player, but his impact might not come close to what five-star forward AJ Dybantsa may be able to accomplish this season. Dybantsa has been viewed as a top candidate to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft for years. He will join a roster that includes Baylor transfer Robert Wright lll and returning star forward Richie Saunders. BYU has never been to the Final Four, and if there is ever a year to break through, it's this upcoming season. Dybantsa can change the trajectory of BYU's program for years to come with a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.” (Salerno, C. (n.d.). Ranking five college basketball teams most likely to win first NCAA Tournament title in 2026. CBSSports.com. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/ranking-five-college-basketball-teams-most-likely-to-win-first-ncaa-tournament-title-in-2026/)

Cougar nation is going to enjoy those types of words.

When people mention how fun last season was, and follow it up by saying this season will be more fun, it’s hard not to anticipate the year on the horizon.

No doubt about it, Fans will also take solace in knowing they aren’t the only ones thinking a title is possible in Provo.