3 takeaways from BYU’s big win over No. 23 Wisconsin
BYU just made a loud national statement
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) moves around Wisconsin guard John Blackwell during a game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Richie Saunders tortured Wisconsin once again. Seriously, Badger fans must despise Saunders by now.
Eight months ago in the NCAA Tournament, Saunders put up 25 points and seven rebounds against Wisconsin. In Friday’s rematch, he posted 26 points with three boards, two assists, two steals and five made 3-pointers.
More importantly, Saunders carried the load offensively for BYU when AJ Dybantsa was sidelined due to foul trouble.
Saunders is now averaging 20.8 points per game on the season and shooting 40% from 3-point range. With those numbers, Dybantsa isn’t the only Cougar with a current All-American case.
Khadim Mboup and Dominique Diomande were excellent off the bench. In 35 combined minutes, Mboup and Diomande teamed up for 12 points and 10 rebounds, but the energy each provided far outweighed anything on the stat sheet.
With Keba Keita returning from injury, Mboup played the majority of BYU’s minutes at the five spot, with he and Diomande both offering solid defense to hinder Wisconsin’s attack.
Contributions from Mboup and Diomande will be paramount for the Cougars having sufficient length, athleticism and depth to compete in the Big 12.
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) moves past Wisconsin Badgers guard Braeden Carrington (0) during a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) looks to pass to BYU Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) during a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) moves around Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) during a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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A young fan dances during a timeout as BYU plays Wisconsin in a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) grabs the rebound away from Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) and Wisconsin Badgers guard Andrew Rohde (7) during a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) moves around Wisconsin Badgers guard Andrew Rohde (7) during a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) shoots during a men's basketball game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) tries to maintain possession of the ball as Wisconsin Badgers guard Jack Janicki (5) knocks it away during a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) and Wisconsin Badgers guard Jack Janicki (5) fight for the ball during a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU plays Wisconsin in a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) motions for the crowd to cheer as BYU plays Wisconsin in a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) shoots as BYU plays Wisconsin in a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) moves around Wisconsin Badgers guard Braeden Carrington (0) during a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young yells as BYU plays Wisconsin in a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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A young fan attends a men's basketball game between BYU and Wisconsin at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) moves around Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) during a men's basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) shoots in front of Wisconsin Badgers forward Aleksas Bieliauskas (32) during a mens basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Tyler Mrus (2) and Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) and Wisconsin Badgers guard Andrew Rohde (7) react as BYU has the lead over Wisconsin in a mens basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. BYU won 98-70. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) shoots over Wisconsin Badgers guard Braeden Carrington (0) during a mens basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) moves around Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) during a mens basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Comments
BYU dominated a fellow top-25 team. The Cougars just beat a ranked team by 28 points. That doesn’t typically happen for anyone, let alone BYU.
A typically elite offensive squad, Wisconsin shot just 37.7% from the field and 24.1% from 3-point range.
BYU point guard Rob Wright III had more assists (11) than Wisconsin had as a team (eight).
The Cougars’ strong second-half showing last weekend against UConn carried over into Friday in dismantling the Badgers. BYU is clearly one of the best eight or 10 teams in the country, and that has never been more clear than against Wisconsin.
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