NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Oklahoma State’s win over BYU was overshadowed by allegations of derogatory fan chants. Wednesday’s BYU-Oklahoma State game marked the fourth known instance in a year where fans have been accused of using offensive chants during a college basketball game.
The Big 12 Conference later said it was launching an investigation into the matter. “All parties have been notified,” the statement said. “The conference has zero tolerance for conduct of this nature and will address the matter in accordance with Big 12 sportsmanship policies,”
After the game, Cougars men’s basketball coach Kevin Young said he heard the Oklahoma State student section chant, “F The Mormons.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
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/Imagn Images)
Young also claimed that his children would again have questions about what allegedly happened in Stillwater.
“It’s a great win for Oklahoma State University. Their fans should be proud,” he said. “It would be great if a class was eligible in there, too. I have four young kids at home. I’m Mormon. When I go home, they’re going to ask me about it, the same way they asked me about that last year in Arizona,” the second-year Cougars 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 in fans who directed derogatory language at an opposing team. “There’s just too much hate in the world to say something like that. We have enough problems in our world without going after people’s religion and beliefs and whether it’s fashionable or not.”
BYU is the flagship school of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon Church. Pakinomist Digital reached out to both the BYU and Oklahoma State athletic departments for comment.
Oklahoma State President Jim Hess sent the following statement to Pakinomist Digital:
“I am aware of concerns raised by the BYU coaching staff regarding the behavior of some individuals in attendance at Wednesday’s basketball game. Any behavior that targets or demeans others does not belong at Oklahoma State University and does not reflect who we are as Cowboys. The Cowboy Code calls for us to treat others with respect and dignity and we review all of our standard violations and we will address our standard violations.
“Oklahoma State University values the relationship we have with BYU and deeply respects their community and their faith. I have reached out directly to BYU leadership to express our commitment to uphold 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 the court to celebrate the upset of No. 16 BYU.
Fans rush 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 participated in an “unacceptable chant” following the basketball team’s 96-95 loss to BYU in Tucson. According to online video, fans could be heard shouting a profane phrase aimed at Mormons as the teams left the field.
In September, Colorado apologized and was fined $50,000 by the Big 12 after football fans directed boos and religious slurs at the Mormons during a 24-21 loss to the Cougars in Boulder. In November, Cincinnati apologized for football fans’ anti-Mormon chants during a 26-14 loss to BYU in Ohio.
Young said four or five players on BYU’s roster are Mormons.
“I understand what we represent. Even for a guy like AJ, that thing is unjustified. Like I said, man, I try to talk to our guys about being examples in the world of why we can use basketball to really just bring people together and not tear people apart. That’s something we talk about a lot. It’s just disappointing.
“I hope somebody prints it, I hope it’s in bold on somebody’s publication and just try to maybe together as a community just help the world move forward and not divide each other with hate and things that are really frivolous.”
