BYU is gearing up for its first NCAA men's basketball tournament appearance in three years, and the journey begins in the heartland of America.

Having secured their spot with a 23-10 record, the Cougars earned the No. 6 seed in the East regional, marking their return to March Madness since 2021. Their opening game, scheduled for Thursday, pits them against A-10 champion Duquesne in Omaha, Nebraska. This marks BYU's 31st appearance in the NCAA Tournament, a milestone they'll commemorate at the CHI Health Center with tip-off set for 10 a.m. MDT on TruTV.

Under the leadership of head coach Mark Pope, this marks BYU's second NCAA berth, breaking a six-year drought after clinching a spot in the all-Indianapolis-area tournament in 2020-21, following the cancellation of the previous year's tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the Cougars have a historical presence in the tournament, boasting a record of 15-33, including a 3-2 performance as a No. 6 seed, this particular seeding decision raised eyebrows. However, Pope reassures his team and fans that every game in the tournament poses a significant challenge, emphasizing the caliber of competition they'll face.

Reflecting on past glory, BYU's Elite Eight appearance in 1981, led by former star Danny Ainge, remains a pivotal moment in the program's history. Despite being seeded No. 17 overall, recent revelations from the selection committee indicate they could have been rated as the top No. 5 seed.

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