One game does a season make

You know that phrase about one game does not a season make. Throw it out the window. Because when it comes to BYU's first-round NCAA tournament game against Texas A&M, one game does indeed a season make for the Cougars.
Win and the 2007-08 season is looked at as a step forward for the program. Lose and the 27 previous wins suddenly seem all for naught.
Yes, BYU repeated as Mountain West champs, tied the school record for regular-season wins and played some great basketball, but another first-round ousting will be the thing fans and media remember most.
It's been 15 years since BYU won a tourney game. And the Cougars hold the record for most NCAA tourney visits without a Final Four appearance.
Ouch.
The good news for Cougars fans, if BYU beats the Aggies and somehow gets past top-seeded UCLA, the road to the Final Four isn't all that tough. The Nos. 2-6 seeds in the West are the weakest in the field. No. 2 Duke could even fall to 3-point bombing Belmont and Xavier, UConn, Drake and Purdue and all beatable. None are markedly better than BYU. In fact, BYU may be the third-best team in the West Region behind UCLA and Duke.
But first things first, namely a first-round win. It's a tough draw against a tough team from a tough conference. But Texas A&M is beatable. And BYU needs to beat them. For the program to move in the right direction, improve its national image and future NCAA seeding and give fans something to celebrate in March, this game is paramount.
If the Cougars win Thursday (and Saturday), the euphoria will help carry fans through the boring summer months until football two-a-days begin.
And that's something we all need.