March Madness Preview: BYU Faces Big Ten Power Wisconsin

The Round of 32 presents BYU with another significant challenge. Are the Cougars prepared to move forward?

BYU basketball secured a victory over the VCU Rams in the Round of 64, marking their first tournament win since 2012—2011 if you exclude the First Four. Their reward? A matchup against a Wisconsin team that looks like an imposing obstacle.

Wisconsin, the Big Ten tournament runners-up, easily dispatched a weaker Montana team. With an inspired postseason performance, this four-seed in conference tournaments climbed to a three-seed in the NCAA tournament. In a competitive Big Ten, the Badgers have gone toe-to-toe with heavyweights like Michigan State, Michigan, Maryland, and UCLA.

They now face a BYU squad that’s been red-hot in the latter part of the season. Both teams deserve congratulations, as this one could go either way.

Wisconsin is known for their outside shooting, leading the Big Ten in three-pointers. They converted a solid 34.9% of their attempts, averaging 9.8 made threes per game. A potent offensive force, they average 80 points per game and have the offensive firepower to overwhelm opponents with little resistance.

BYU, on the other hand, has built a reputation as a “live and die by the 3” team. While they continue to fire up shots at an impressive rate, averaging 10.7 threes per game, Kevin Young’s squad also boasts a well-rounded offensive system. They have strong interior scoring options and excellent depth, allowing them to maintain consistent production.

So, what will give?

Both teams excel in fast-paced, high-scoring games. With proven capabilities on both ends of the floor, this matchup could come down to which team makes critical stops when it matters most.

For BYU, the lack of strong three-point defense on both sides could work in their favor, particularly given BYU’s record-breaking performance in the Big 12 tournament, where they hit a barrage of threes. Richie Saunders, Trevin Knell, Dawson Baker, and Egor Demin have all shown they can light up the scoreboard. If they get hot early, they could potentially overwhelm Wisconsin’s defense.

However, there’s a catch: foul trouble could be costly, as Wisconsin is exceptional at capitalizing on free throws.

The Badgers are the best free throw shooting team in the country, hitting 82.7% from the line this season. If the game turns into a free-throw battle, BYU may struggle to keep up with Wisconsin.

BYU needs to play disciplined defense. Fortunately, BYU’s defensive style isn’t overly aggressive or physical.

This game is a toss-up. While BYU has momentum on its side, Wisconsin is a steady, well-rounded team that can compete with anyone on any given day.

A chance at the Sweet 16 is on the line, and this one will likely come down to a race to the finish.