KANSAS CITY — Friday's Big 12 semifinal game against Houston was a tough watch for BYU fans in all aspects of the game.
No. 17 BYU shot poorly, failed to penetrate No. 2 Houston's perimeter defense, and was down by around 20 points for the majority of the game.
It was the Cougars' first loss since early February and showed that BYU can be beaten after winning nine in a row.
But while BYU's performance left a lot to be desired, the Cougars shouldn't be too worried. They could very well still be on their way to the Sweet 16, something BYU hasn't sniffed in 14 years.
Just how good is the Houston team that beat BYU?
Many national pundits made the bold claim that BYU was the hottest team in the country during its nine-game winning streak. While BYU was hot, that title 100% belonged to the Houston Cougars.
Houston's win on Friday was its 12th win in a row, which isn't even its longest streak of the season. Houston won 13 in a row before losing to Texas Tech in overtime on Feb. 1.
After Auburn's loss in the SEC semifinals, and depending on how the selection committee factors in Cooper Flagg's injury for Duke, Houston might be the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament if it manages to beat Arizona in the Big 12 championship game.
Houston's style of play is also what BYU has struggled with the most this season: aggressive and athletic perimeter defense.
BYU won't face a team as good as Houston at least until the Sweet 16, and even then, Houston's style of play is unique to Houston. Not every top-level team will have the personnel to play against BYU the same way Kelvin Sampson's team did.
Houston has five members on the All-Big 12 teams and the defensive player of the year in Joseph Tugler.
There is no shame in losing to a top-3 team in the country.
BYU is not a one-trick pony
This point has been beaten to death in recent weeks, but it rings true. Like Kevin Young said after BYU's win against West Virginia, BYU is "not a one-trick pony."
The Cougars have endless ways to win, and Young is not afraid to switch things up when things aren't working. For example, Trey Stewart and Mihailo Boskovic have become important members of the team's rotation, but were getting DNPs to start Big 12 play.
BYU beat Iowa State last week in a defensive double-overtime battle, and then again in the Big 12 quarterfinals in a game where neither team could miss.
Young will be able to adjust accordingly if opposing defenses are taking away the three or attacking certain players on defense.
BYU put up a valiant effort in the second half against Houston, which doesn't mean much when you are down 20, but nonetheless, BYU outscored Houston 34-33.
Should BYU fans be concerned?
BYU has only ever won two games in the same NCAA Tournament twice. Once with Danny Ainge in 1981, and once in 2011 with Jimmer Fredette. Making the Sweet 16 in the first year with a new coach would be a resounding success.
The odds that BYU will play a team that matches up perfectly against Young's team and has a top-five roster in all of college basketball in the first two rounds is slim.
Don't forget that BYU beat Arizona and Iowa State twice during its recent win streak. Both teams will likely be ranked higher than BYU after Sunday's Selection Show.
If you are viewing this year as championship or bust, then yes, you should be worried. But until then, the Cougars have a very good shot at winning next week.