BYU Cougars forward Mawot Mag lays the ball up against the Virginia Commonwealth in an NCAA Tournament first-round game held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Saturday, the Cougars will face No. 3 seed Wisconsin for a chance to advance to the Sweet 16. Isaac Hale, Deseret News
For BYU: Defeated VCU 80-71; won 10 of its past 11 games; 8-7 in Quad 1 opportunities; No. 25 in NET and No. 24 in KenPom; No. 9 nationally in offensive efficiency (123.6).
For Wisconsin: Defeated Montana 85-66;advanced to Big Ten tournament final; 8-8 in Quad 1 opportunities; No. 15 in NET and No. 13 in KenPom; No. 13 nationally in offensive efficiency (122.4).
The stakes
For BYU: Fresh off their first NCAA Tournament win since 2012, the Cougars are playing in their biggest game since the days of Jimmermania. A win over the Badgers would put BYU in the Sweet 16 for just the third time in program history.
For Wisconsin: The Badgers are now 17-4 in the tournament’s first round since 2002 and 6-6 in the Dig Dance under Greg Gard, but haven’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2017. Wisconsin has played one game this season against a team with a higher offensive efficiency than BYU’s 123.6 mark — a 94-84 win over Purdue on Feb. 15.
Players to watch
For BYU: First Team All-Big 12 selection Richie Saunders and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection Egor Demin.
For Wisconsin: First Team All-Big Ten selection John Tonje and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection John Blackwell.
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From left, BYU Cougars guards Dallin Hall, Dawson Baker, and Trey Stewart laugh as they field questions from reporters during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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From left, Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter, guard John Blackwell, and forward Carter Gilmore field questions from reporters as Blackwell speaks during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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From left, BYU Cougars guards Dallin Hall, Dawson Baker, and Trey Stewart field questions from reporters as Baker speaks during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Kanon Catchings answers a question from a reporter during media availability in the Cougars’ locker room at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Mihailo Boskovic answers a question from a reporter during media availability in the Cougars’ locker room at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Trey Stewart answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Dawson Baker answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Dawson Baker laughs as guard Trey Stewart answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young answers a question from a reporter during a press conference held at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Mihailo Boskovic answers a question from a reporter during media availability in the Cougars’ locker room at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Trevin Knell answers a question from a reporter during media availability in the Cougars’ locker room at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Kanon Catchings answers a question from a reporter during media availability in the Cougars’ locker room at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Friday, March 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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