Several Latter-day Saints and teams from a pair of Church-owned schools enjoyed remarkable success during the U.S. collegiate winter sports season. Their achievements excited fans and gleaned positive attention for the Church across the country. Brigham Young University's mens' basketball team ended its historic season with a trip to the storied Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before losing in overtime to Florida 83-74 on March 24 in New Orleans.
The Cougars set a school record with 34 wins against just five losses, claiming the Mountain West Conference regular season title and reaching the field of 16 for the first time in 30 years.
The season "has been everything we wanted to achieve," senior guard Jackson Emery told the Deseret News. "A lot of people doubted us and our ability, and (because of the) things we've gone through, they didn't think we could accomplish those things. It shows something about those guys, that we're going to fight hard every day and practice hard."