With just a couple of days until BYU’s matchup against VCU — set for Thursday at 2:05 p.m. MDT — the Daily Universe assembled a panel, composed of Quentin Carney, Zach Hansen, Kellen Chubak, Tori Haubner and Courtnie Jex,

BYU is led by Richie Saunders, a junior guard who has morphed into a fringe NBA prospect this year. It also has Dallin Hall, a veteran guard coming off the bench who stabilizes the Cougars’ offense and finishes games.

BYU will stay close to home, Utah State will not, and both have tall tasks in their first-round matchups as the NCAA released the men’s national tournament brackets in its traditional CBS TV broadcast Sunday.