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How many points did AJ Dybantsa score today? Full stats, results, highlights from debut in BYU vs. Villanova

News Correspondent
How many points did AJ Dybantsa score today? Full stats, results, highlights from debut in BYU vs. Villanova image

BYU made some big noise in the college basketball world in December 2024, when top high school recruit AJ Dybantsa announced his intentions to join the Cougars. Flash forward to November 2025, and he's already displaying his star potential.

Dybantsa, the highest-ranked recruit to ever commit to BYU, was pinned was the next big thing in college basketball — a No. 1 recruit who had previously competed for USA Basketball and offered size, athleticism and a dynamic offensive skill set. On Monday night, Dybantsa offered the first glimpses of his upside in his official collegiate debut, leading the charge in BYU's 71-66 victory over Villanova to open the 2025-26 season.

Kevin Young's No. 8-ranked squad faced the Wildcats in Las Vegas for the Hall of Fame series, building a first-half lead before Villanova came crawling back in the second half. However, it was Dybantsa's physicality and length around the rim, with a team-high 21 points, that put the Cougars in the win column to open the campaign. 

Dybantsa's debut marked a new era at BYU. He's favored to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a ceiling he'll have to continue to prove himself in order to reach. But with his rock-solid debut leading the Cougars to a win Monday night, he's well on his way there.

AllSportsPeople tracked AJ Dybantsa's live stats, plus updates and highlights from BYU vs. Villanova on Monday night. Here's how the Cougars phenom performed in his college debut.

STREAM: Watch BYU vs. Villanova through DirecTV

BYU vs. Villanova score

 1H2HF
Villanova323471
BYU422966

AJ Dybantsa stats vs. Villanova

  • Points:  21
  • Rebounds: 6
  • Assists: 3
  • Steals: 0
  • Blocks: 0
  • TOs: 0
  • PF: 0
  • FG: 9-18
  • 3FG: 1-1
  • FT: 2-7

MORE: How NIL played a role in AJ Dybantsa choosing BYU

AJ Dybantsa updates, highlights from BYU vs. Villanova

All times ET. 

Final: BYU 71, Villanova 66

12:04 a.m. —  The Cougars hold on to start 1-0 in the AJ Dybantsa era, and he led the way in the victory. While Villanova threatened to complete a comeback in the second half, Dybantsa's drives to the rim and Keita's defensive prowess made an impact for Kevin Young's unit. Richie Saunders had 15 points for BYU, while Bryce Lindsay put up 22 points for Villanova.

11:59 p.m. —  BYU is pulling away after the late-game scare from Villanova, and naturally, its phenom freshman has paved the way. Dybantsa is over 20 points in his college debut, and he's effectively used his length around the rim all night.

11:50 p.m. —  Dybantsa had yet another nice finish, now helping BYU fight to hold on in its season-opener. Keba Keita has also been outstanding with three blocks and seven rebounds, but Villanova continues to keep up with the Cougars.

11:37 p.m. —  Villanova is making this a game. The Wildcats have come back to take the lead with under 10 minutes remaining, as Bryce Lindsay has 16 points off the bench.

11:20 p.m. —  Dybantsa is picking things up offensively to open the second half. He's up to a team-high 15 points, getting to the rim with ease and connecting from all over the floor.

Halftime: BYU 42, Villanova 32

10:53 p.m. —  The Cougars head into halftime with a 10-point advantage, as Dybantsa has gone for eight points, four boards and three steals in his debut. 

10:50 p.m. —  Villanova is keeping things within a scoring run, as Keba Keita has made a big impact for BYU. The Wildcats are just 4 of 18 from deep.

10:20 p.m. —  BYU is already starting to pull away, on an 8-0 run. Dybantsa has led the way, adding two more buckets, including a second-chance putback, to lead the charge.

10:05 p.m. —  Dybantsa dishes out an alley-oop assist, then gets on the board for his first BYU points with a nice reverse layup under the rim. BYU and Villanova are trading some shots to open their new seasons.

10:00 p.m. —  Here's Dybantsa's intoduction in Las Vegas:

9:45 p.m. —  BYU and Villanova are warming up after the Arizona-Florida game went a bit long. Soon though, Dybantsa will take the floor in college for the first time.

9:20 p.m. —  Dybantsa's debut for BYU against Villanova is just minutes away. The two squads are set to face off upon the conclusion of Arizona vs. Florida.

MORE: AllSportsPeople' 2025-26 college basketball preseason rankings

Where to watch BYU vs. Villanova

  • Date: Monday, Nov. 3
  • Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: TNT/truTV
  • Live stream: DirectTV

BYU and Villanova will both open their 2025-26 college basketball seasons as a part of the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas, with the game being played at T-Mobile Arena at 9:30 p.m. ET on Monday. 

Cougars vs. Wildcats matchup will air nationally on TNT and truTV. Fans looking to stream the game can turn toward DirecTV. 

BYU schedule 2025-26

Here is a look at BYU's next 10 games to open the 2025-26 season.

DateOpponentTime (ET)TV/Live stream
Saturday, Nov. 8vs. Holy Cross9 p.m.ESPN+
Tuesday, Nov. 11vs. Delaware9 p.m.CBSSN
Saturday, Nov. 15vs. No. 4 UConn*7 p.m.Fox
Friday, Nov. 21vs. No. 24 Wisconsin4 p.m.Peacock
Thursday, Nov. 27vs. Miami*5 p.m.ESPN
Wednesday, Dec. 3vs. California Baptist9 p.m.ESPN+
Tuesday, Dec. 9vs. Clemson*6:30 p.m.ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 13vs. UC Riverside9 p.m.ESPN+
Tuesday, Dec. 16vs. Pacific9 p.m.ESPN+
Friday, Dec. 19vs. Abilene Christian9:30 p.m.TNT

*Game played at a neutral location 

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