DAYTON, Ohio - BYU is back in the building where it pulled off the biggest comeback in NCAA Tournament history.
The Cougars (25-9) play Mississippi (20-12) in a First Four game tonight at the University of Dayton Arena.
It's the same place where BYU made history three years ago. The winner goes to Jacksonville, Fla., to play sixth-seeded Xavier on Thursday afternoon.
BYU fell behind Iona by 25 points in the first half of a First Four game in 2012, but rallied for a 78-72 win that was the biggest comeback in NCAA Tournament history. Coach Dave Rose thought back to that game when the Cougars arrived in town Monday, hoping for more good energy.
"I hope it's the second-half mojo and not the first half," Rose said. "We were able to get on a roll and finish that game off. I think this game could be similar to that."
It could be one of those don't-blink-or-else games.
The teams have never met, but are similar in that they like to push the pace and feel more comfortable when there are a lot of shots in the air.
"We're a unique team," BYU guard Kyle Collinsworth said. "We push the ball. We get a ton of 3s. If we can play our game, I think we'll have a chance."
Mississippi averaged 72.6 points per game. BYU scored at a pace of 83.6 points per game.
"Their pace of play is unlike anything we've seen this season," Mississippi coach Andy Kennedy 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."
Mississippi is making its second trip to Dayton this season. The Rebels lost to the Flyers 78-74 on Dec. 30 and are 0-2 all-time at UD Arena. At least they know what the rims are like.
"We've been here before and we kind of have a feel for the building and the arena," guard Stefan Moody said.
Here are five things to watch in their First Four game:
• Senior guard Tyler Haws averages 21.9 points per game, has scored at least 20 points in 23 games, and is BYU's all-time leading scorer with 2,687 points, which ranks 23rd in NCAA history. He has scored in double figures in his past 60 games, so he's not going to be shut down. But Mississippi can't let him take over.
• Kennedy has an on-court connection with the Haws family. As a player at UAB in the 1980s, Kennedy played a game at BYU and went against Haws' father, Marty, who was a point guard. Kennedy sees a resemblance.
"I remember his dad was a good player, very good player," Kennedy said. "His son is tremendous. And they're similar. They're similar in their look, similar in their style of play."
• Collinsworth set an NCAA record with six triple-doubles this season - points, rebounds and assists. He also had 14 double-doubles.
• Mississippi makes 77.8 percent of its free throws, which ranks third in the nation.
• BYU is making its 29th appearance and is 15-31 all-time, including 10-18 in its opening game.