With just five weeks until the BYU Cougars tip off the 2025‑26 season, the stage is set—and the non‑conference slate is nothing short of ambitious. The season officially begins with an exhibition game at Nebraska on October 18, followed by marquee matchups including North Carolina, Villanova, Wisconsin, UConn, and more. Mitch Harper and Kyle Ireland break down what’s new: returning stars, early experiments in the lineup, how AJ Dybantsa and others could impact the team, and why this schedule matters more than ever as BYU looks to build on last season’s Sweet 16 run.