Dallin Hall had the switch he wanted. Working on Kansas center Hunter Dickinson, with the shot clock still at 12, Hall rocked back into his favorite move.
He took one dribble to his right, stepped back to his left and fired over the All-American senior. With 1:33 left to play in a one-possession game, it was a borderline ill-advised shot to take.
But these are the looks Mark Pope has always wanted Hall to take late in the game. Just like San Diego State in November. Just like Hall has done throughout his two-year career.
This time, his three softly hit the bottom of the net. Hall let out a scream. And BYU took a commanding five-point lead on its way to downing Kansas 76-68 inside Phog Allen Fieldhouse.
“I saw he was giving me a little bit of space,” Hall said. “Everyone was really sticking close to the shooters. That is a shot I practice a lot off the bounce. ... Shoot it with confidence and live with the results.”
(Charlie Riedel | AP) BYU center Aly Khalifa (50) shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan. BYU won 76-68.
The Cougars erased a 12-point second-half deficit to knockoff the standard-bearer of the Big 12, in a place the Jayhawks are nearly untouchable. It was the first time Kansas lost at home since Jan. 21, 2023, breaking a 19-game winning streak.
“I think it’s really special,” Pope said. “We have all such deep respect for [Kansas] and this venue. ... This arena, this team, this coach, these players, it is just an all-time mecca.”
Hall largely authored the comeback.
Playing with four fouls, Hall had 13 of his 18 points in the second half. Before the dagger three, Hall hit BYU’s go-ahead three with three minutes to play to give BYU a 62-60 lead.
He came down two possessions later to assist on a Noah Waterman three. The Cougars finished the game hitting their final four shots from the field. Kansas did not score from the field in the final 2:28.
Waterman finished with nine points. Junior guard Jaxson Robinson had 18 points.
BYU guards Jaxson Robinson, right, and Richie Saunders (15) hug after their NCAA college basketball game against Kansas Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan. BYU won 76-68. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
“We played pitifully tonight,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “But when I say we played pitifully, that can give the appearance that I’m taking something away from BYU. BYU was better than us tonight. The second half, after we got up 12, they controlled it.”
As BYU played from behind, Pope was assessed a technical for arguing a charge call. It extended Kansas’ lead to six with seven minutes left. The game almost looked out of reach.
“I guess I have to be careful with what I say. I was frustrated in the moment,” Pope said. “I wish I was such a genius coach that said, ‘I’m going to get a [technical] right now and rally the troops.’
“That would be a little bit disingenuous. I was actually surprised the tech was called with the conversation we were having. But it is the heat of the moment and everyone is feeling it.”
But a pair of Hall free throws and a layup gave the Cougars another life, and it led to the signature win of its young Big 12 membership.
The Cougars are now 20-8 and 8-7 in the Big 12. With an NCAA Tournament appearance coming, another Quad One win likely puts BYU flirting with a six-seed or higher.
BYU returns home to play TCU on Saturday. It finishes the regular season with Iowa State and Oklahoma State the following week.
