The Sweet 16 begins on Thursday with four games taking place. The first game is No. 6 seed BYU facing No. 2 Alabama in a big contest. 

The Crimson Tide made the Final Four a year ago, and BYU has thrived in its first season with Kevin Young as the head coach. 

The majority has BYU losing to Alabama, with Dick Vitale and Joe Lunardi as two experts who picked the Crimson Tide. 

BYU defeated No. 11 VCU, 80-71, and then beat No. 3 Wisconsin, 91-89, in a thrilling finish to punch their Sweet 16 ticket. 

This marks BYU’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2011, so it is a big deal for the fanbase. 

Brigham Young Cougars guard Trey Stewart (1) reacts after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Ahead of the game, five-star BYU commit AJ Dybansta had a three-word message for his future team. 

“Gameday!!! Let’s go @BYUMBB” 

Dybansta, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2025, chose BYU over Alabama, North Carolina and Kansas. He is the highest-ranked recruit in the history of BYU basketball in a seismic move for the program. 

Dybansta plays high school basketball at Utah Prep in Hurricane, Utah, and his decision to play for BYU is a big one. 

Now, he will watch as BYU faces Alabama in a massive Sweet 16 game between two teams he was considering before making his commitment.