BYU vs. Wisconsin: A Historic Basketball Rivalry

The upcoming battle between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Brigham Young Cougars is highly anticipated. Both programs have rich histories and a tradition of exciting basketball. The game between the two teams promises to be a thriller.

The Stage is Set: Wisconsin's Unbeaten Start

Wisconsin enters the game with a perfect 4-0 record. They are ranked No. 23 in the nation. The Badgers have demonstrated remarkable efficiency, hitting more than 84 percent of their free throws and knocking down over 12 three-pointers per game. Nick Boyd leads the team, averaging 20 points per contest, while three more Badgers are averaging double figures through four outings. Greg Gard has cultivated an offense that feels both steady and dangerous.

BYU's Strength in the Paint

The Cougars, ranked No. 9, hold a 3-1 record, despite a recent loss to UConn. BYU has secured wins over Villanova, Holy Cross, and Delaware. They score at a high level, averaging 84.5 points per game, leaning heavily on their work inside the arc. Freshman AJ Dybantsa has lived up to the hype, averaging 20.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Richie Saunders has nearly matched him at 19.5 points. Robert Wright III provides a third consistent scoring option. When BYU controls the paint, they can quickly overwhelm opponents.

What's at Stake

Both teams are eager to run, believing in their ability to score in bunches. The fanbases remember the 91-89 BYU win. Wisconsin aims to maintain its unbeaten record and strengthen its national standing. BYU seeks to rebound after a loss to UConn and maintain its top-ten ranking.

Key Matchup Details

The game is set to take place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT.

Read also: GPA Insights: UW-Madison

Where to Watch

The game will be broadcast on Peacock and available for streaming on FuboTV.

Betting Odds

The BYU Cougars are favored by -4.5 points, with a moneyline of -195. The Wisconsin Badgers are +4.5 underdogs, with a moneyline of +165. The total is set at 161.5.

Series History

The series is currently tied 1-1. The most recent meeting saw BYU defeat Wisconsin 91-89 in the NCAA Tournament second round.

Projected Starting Lineups

Wisconsin Badgers:

Nick Boyd (#2) - 19.3 ppg
John Blackwell (#25) - 18 ppg
Nolan Winter (#31) - 16 ppg, 9.7 rpg
Austin Rapp (#22) - 10.7 ppg
Andrew Rhode (#7) - 7.7 ppg

BYU Cougars:

AJ Dybantsa (#3) - 20.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Richie Saunders (#15) - 19.5 ppg
Robert Wright III (#1) - 17.8 ppg
Dawson Baker (#25) - 8 ppg
Keita Keba (#13) - 5 ppg (game-time decision)

Kennard Davis Jr. is suspended for this game. Keba remains questionable with a head injury, which could significantly impact BYU’s interior defense.

Factors That Could Decide the Game

The loss of Davis impacts BYU’s depth. If Keba is also unable to play, the Cougars will be thin around the rim, a disadvantage against Wisconsin's efficient offense. BYU plays fast and physical, relying on its stars. Wisconsin brings balance and a sharp perimeter attack.

Wisconsin's Tournament History Under Greg Gard

Wisconsin suffered a 91-89 defeat vs. BYU in the NCAA Tournament. Despite facing a late 14-point deficit and an offensive onslaught from BYU, the Badgers never wavered. Powered by 26 second-half points from John Tonje, Wisconsin had an opportunity to tie the contest at 91 with just 13 seconds remaining. Tonje missed the game-tying attempt, and Wisconsin exited the NCAA Tournament early.

The Badgers' Sweet 16 drought extended to eight seasons. UW last appeared in the tournament's second weekend during the 2016-17 season, Greg Gard's first full year. That team's starting five featured Bronson Koening, Ethan Happ, Zak Showalter, Nigel Hayes, and Vitto Brown. The ensemble lost in overtime to Florida on a buzzer-beater from Chris Chiozza.

Greg Gard's teams have since failed to reach that stage. Gard owns a 212-117 overall record in over nine full seasons, including a 117-77 clip in conference play. He's won a pair of Big Ten regular season titles (2020, 2022) and been named Big Ten Coach of the Year twice. However, Gard's NCAA Tournament record is now 7-7. The team is just 3-5 since that last Sweet 16 appearance.

Greg Gard's NCAA Tournament Record:

NCAA Tournament Wins:

First round: No. 3 Wisconsin 85, No. 14 Montana 66
First round: No. 3 Wisconsin 67, No. 14 Colgate 60
First round: No. 9 Wisconsin 85, No. 8 North Carolina 62
Second round: No. 8 Wisconsin 84, No. 9 Virginia Tech 74
First round: No. 8 Wisconsin 65, No. 1 Villanova 62
Second round: No. 7 Wisconsin 47, No. 10 Pittsburgh 43
First round: No. 7 Wisconsin 66, No. 2 Xavier 63

NCAA Tournament Losses:

Second round: No. 6 BYU 91, No. 3 Wisconsin 89
First round: No. 12 James Madison 72, No. 5 Wisconsin 61
Second round: No. 11 Iowa State 54, No. 3 Wisconsin 49
Second round: No. 1 Baylor 76, No. 9 Wisconsin 63
First round: No. 12 Oregon 72, No. 5 Wisconsin 54
Sweet 16: No. 4 Florida 84, No. 8 Wisconsin 83
Sweet 16: No. 6 Notre Dame 61, No. 7 Wisconsin 56

Wisconsin has yet to replicate those results since holdovers from the 2014 and 2015 Final Four runs left the program. Gard's seat is secure due to his dependability in conference play and ability to exceed expectations.

BYU Cougars Basketball History

The BYU Cougars men's basketball team represents Brigham Young University in NCAA Division I basketball play, now competing in the Big 12 Conference. Established in 1902, the team has a storied history, including 27 conference championships, 3 conference tournament championships, and 2 NIT Tournament titles (1951 and 1966). The Cougars have made 32 NCAA tournament appearances, most recently in 2025.

BYU reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament in 1950, 1951, and 1981. From 1999 to 2011, the team competed in the Mountain West Conference, followed by 12 seasons in the West Coast Conference.

Early Years and Success

BYU fielded its first basketball team in 1903. In 1906, the Cougars played their first game against Utah State University, and in 1909, they first played against the University of Utah. These two rivalries continue to this day. The Cougars made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1950 under head coach Stan Watts.

BYU's 1951 team won 28 games and qualified for the NCAA tournament, winning their first NIT championship, defeating St. John's, St. Louis and Dayton to win the title. Notable players on that team include Mel Hutchins, Roland Minson, and Loren C. Dunn.

The Cougars made five more appearances in the NCAA tournament under Watts and won their second NIT championship in 1966. BYU has the most NCAA appearances of any men's team not to make the Final Four. BYU, alongside Xavier, Saint Joseph's, Boston College, Arizona State, and Davidson are each tied for second most in Elite Eight appearances without a Final Four.

BYU was also the first college basketball program to include an international player on its roster, as Finland native Timo Lampen debuted in the 1958-59 season. Later, BYU's Krešimir Ćosić became the first international player to be named an All-American.

Coaching Changes and Modern Era

After Watts' retirement following the 1972 season, the program experienced five consecutive losing seasons before returning to the NCAA tournament in 1979 under coach Frank Arnold. The Cougars reached the Elite Eight in 1981.

Steve Cleveland was hired as the new head coach and returned the Cougars to prominence. In 2001, the Cougars won the MWC regular season and tournament championships, making their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1995. BYU had success under Cleveland, winning multiple conference championships and the conference tournament, and reaching the NCAA tournament three times.

Dave Rose began the first of six straight 20-win seasons in 2005-06. In 2010, Rose coached BYU to their first NCAA tournament victory in 17 years in a double-overtime win against the University of Florida. The following year, BYU made further inroads as a #3 seed when they advanced to the Sweet 16.

Following Tyler Haws' departure, Kyle Collinsworth became the Cougars' leader, setting the NCAA record for career triple doubles and earning WCC Player of the Year honors. Since Collinsworth's departure, the Cougars have struggled, especially in the postseason. The program was dealt an additional blow when the NCAA announced penalties against the Cougars due to an alleged benefits scandal surrounding Nick Emery. As part of those sanctions, BYU was ordered to vacate all victories where Nick Emery played over two seasons (a total of 47 wins). The BYU athletics department has appealed the decision.

Mark Pope led a turnaround for the program in his first two seasons. The team finished the season with a 24-8 record and was projected to be a lock for the NCAA tournament before all postseason play was cancelled. The 2020-21 team finished the regular season 20-6 and made the NCAA tournament as a No.

Recent Seasons and Big 12 Entry

After lackluster seasons, BYU was picked to finish 13th of 14 teams in the Big 12 prior to joining the conference. However, the Cougars posted a 10-8 conference record and went 22-9 during the regular season to finish fifth in the final conference standings. They defeated UCF in the second round of the Big 12 Conference tournament before losing to Texas Tech in the quarterfinals. BYU finished the regular season with a 23-8 record, 14-6 in Big 12 play.

On December 10, AJ Dybantsa announced his commitment to BYU.

BYU Individual Records

Points scored, single game: 52, Jimmer Fredette, March 11, 2011 vs. New Mexico
Field goals made, single game: 22, Jimmer Fredette, March 11, 2011, vs. New Mexico
Three-point field goals made, single game: 10, Chase Fischer, November 25, 2014, vs. Chaminade; and Nick Emery, February 11, 2016, vs. Saint Mary's
Free throws made, single game: 23, Jimmer Fredette, March 11, 2010, vs. UNLV
Rebounds, single game: 27, Scott Warner, December 18, 1969 vs. Arizona State
Assists, single game: 16, Mike May, December 11, 1976, vs. New Mexico State
Steals, single game: 9, Mark Bigelow, November 28, 1998, vs. Radford
Blocked shots, single game: 14, Shawn Bradley, December 7, 1990 vs. Eastern New Mexico

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