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Oklahoma State’s victory over BYU was overshadowed by accusations of derogatory chants from fans. Wednesday’s BYU-Oklahoma State game marked the fourth known case in a year in which fans have been accused of using offensive chants during a college basketball game.
The Big 12 Conference later said it had launched an investigation into the matter. “All parties have been notified,” the statement said. “The Conference has zero tolerance for behavior of this nature and will address the matter in accordance with Big 12 sports policies.”
After the game, Cougars men’s basketball coach Kevin Young said he heard the Oklahoma State student section chant, “F The Mormons.”
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young reacts during the first half against the Utah Utes at the Marriott Center on January 24, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Aaron Baker/Image Images)
Young also stated that his children would again have questions about what allegedly happened in Stillwater.
“It’s a big win for Oklahoma State University. Their fans should be proud,” he said. “It would be great if some classes were warranted there, too. I have four little kids at home. I’m Mormon. When I get home, they’ll ask me about it, the same way they asked me last year in Arizona,” the Cougars’ second-year coach said.
BYU Cougars basketball coach Kevin Young watches a play during the first half of their game against the Utah Utes at the Jon M Huntsman Center on January 10, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Young concluded that the level of “hate in the world” was evident when fans directed derogatory language toward an opposing team. “There is just too much hate in the world to say things like that. We have enough problems in our world without addressing people’s religion and beliefs and whether they are fashionable or not.”
BYU is the flagship school of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon Church. Pak Gazette Digital has reached out to the athletic departments at BYU and Oklahoma State for comment.
Oklahoma State President Jim Hess sent the following statement to Pak Gazette Digital:
“I am aware of the concerns raised by the BYU coaching staff regarding the conduct of some individuals who attended Wednesday’s basketball game. Any behavior that targets or demeans others has no place at Oklahoma State University and does not reflect who we are as Cowboys. The Cowboy Code calls us to treat others with respect and dignity, and we are reviewing what occurred and will address any violations of our standards of conduct appropriately.
“Oklahoma State University values the relationship we have with BYU and deeply respects its community and faith. I have communicated directly with BYU leaders to express our commitment to upholding the standards we expect from our community. We will continue to work with our students and fans to ensure the atmosphere at our events reflects the values of the Cowboy family.”
BYU officials did not immediately respond.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Oklahoma State fans rushed onto the field to celebrate No. 16 BYU’s upset.
Fans run down the court after a BIG 12 men’s college basketball game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the BYU Cougars at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on February 4, 2026. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Last February, Arizona apologized after the school said some fans engaged in “unacceptable chanting” following the basketball team’s 96-95 loss to BYU in Tucson. According to online video, fans could be heard shouting a profane phrase directed at Mormons as the teams left the court.
In September, Colorado apologized and was fined $50,000 by the Big 12 after football fans directed profanities and religious insults at Mormons during a 24-21 loss to the Cougars in Boulder. In November, Cincinnati apologized for anti-Mormon chants by football fans during a 26-14 loss to BYU in Ohio.
Young said four or five players on BYU’s roster are Mormon.
“I understand what we stand for. Even for a guy like AJ, those things are not justified. Like I said, I try to talk to our guys about being examples in the world, about why we can use basketball to bring people together and not separate them. It’s something we talk about a lot. It’s just disappointing.
“I hope someone prints that, I hope it’s bolded in someone’s post and let’s just try to make sure that together as a society we can help the world move forward and not divide each other with hate and things that don’t really make sense.”
