The 2015 NCAA Tournament begins on Tuesday, with the second game of the night featuring the BYU Cougars and the Ole Miss Rebels battling for a spot in the Round of 64. Watch the free live stream below.
BYU's loss to Gonzaga in last Tuesday's 2015 West Coast Conference Tournament final wasn't enough for the NCAA selection committee to overlook the the Cougars' 25-9 record or the team's eight straight wins it had before facing first-seeded Gonzaga in the conference final.
Now, playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012, coach Dave Rose is hopeful for the chance to play Xavier in the next round. The last time Rose's team was in the tournament, it made history by rallying from a 25-point deficit against Iona and advancing on a 78-72 win, according to the Associated Press.
"I hope it's the second-half mojo and not the first half," Rose told the Associated Press. "We were able to get on a roll and finish that game off. I think this game could be similar to that."
The Cougars' success in the tournament will likely depend on them continuing to do what they've done well all season: running an up-tempo offense and hitting 3-pointers.
"We're a unique team," said BYU guard Kyle Collinsworth. "We push the ball. We get a ton of 3s. If we can play our game, I think we'll have a chance."
It's BYU's ability to push the ball that has Rebels coach Andy Kennedy most concerned.
"Their pace of play is unlike anything we've seen this season," he said. "People think I'm a liberal offensive coach. I'm the most conservative coach you've ever seen compared to the way that BYU runs and shoots quickly."
Ole Miss has a 20-12 record, but the team struggled down the stretch of the season. They've lost four of their last five games, including two straight, and will need a big game from junior guard Stefan Moody, who leads the team with 16.3 points per game.
Watch the live stream HERE.
