In a thrilling NCAA Tournament clash on March 22, 2025, the No. 3 seed Wisconsin Badgers faced off against No. 6 seed BYU Cougars at Ball Arena in Denver. With tip-off set slightly behind schedule at around 7:30 PM ET, the matchup promised to be an exciting battle, and it did not disappoint.
The Badgers, coming off a commanding 85-66 victory over Montana in the first round, were expecting to carry their momentum against BYU, who had defeated VCU 80-71. Wisconsin entered the tournament as a top contender, aiming for a Sweet 16 appearance for the first time since 2017. In sharp contrast, BYU sought to make their own mark after last reaching the Sweet 16 in 2011.
BetMGM had Wisconsin favored by a slim margin of just 1.5 points, setting the stage for what fans anticipated would be a closely contested game. However, BYU quickly seized control and displayed their prowess, ending the first half with a significant advantage of 47-36. The Cougars’ energetic offense was spearheaded by Richie Saunders, who topped BYU's scoring with 23 points, showcasing his shooting talents and ability to capitalize on offensive rebounds.
Wisconsin's star guard, John Tonje, was in fine form as well, closing out the half with 11 points while steeling himself for a challenging second half. The first half notably saw Wisconsin struggle with their free throw accuracy, a stark contrast to their season-long performance where they historically ranked as the nation’s best free throw shooting team at 82.7 percent. They entered the halftime break with a disappointing 7-11 at the line.
The Badgers struggled with their shooting rhythms, particularly beyond the arc, where they made only 5 of 15 three-point attempts. Conversely, BYU capitalized on their 11 attempts, hitting 7 of 11 during the same period. Additionally, BYU dominated the boards in the first half with 26 rebounds compared to Wisconsin's 14, underscoring their physical presence.
However, the second half offered glimmers of hope for the Badgers as they attempted to claw their way back into the game. At one point, Wisconsin unraveled an impressive 8-0 run that cut the deficit, led by a timely three-pointer from Tonje. Yet, just as they started to gain momentum, a technical foul disrupted their rhythm, resulting in BYU extending their lead once again.
As the game progressed, Tonje emerged as a pivotal figure, finishing the game with an incredible 37 points, establishing a new mark for the most points scored by a Wisconsin player in an NCAA tournament game. Despite his efforts, Wisconsin found themselves outmatched as the minutes ticked down, trailing 91-89 with 39 seconds remaining.
In a heart-stopping finale, Wisconsin had a chance to equalize in the final seconds, but Tonje’s game-tying attempt fell short, sealing the Badgers’ fate and ending their tournament run with a final score of 91-89. BYU’s victory propelled them into the Sweet 16, demonstrating their resilience and potent offensive capabilities.
Key statistics showcased the rivalry as BYU outshot Wisconsin from the field with a 47.2% completion rate compared to the Badgers’ 38.7%. BYU also showcased their three-point shooting, connecting on 45.8% of their shots from beyond the arc, a deciding factor in the high-scoring affair.
As the Badgers exit the tournament, they leave behind a season marked by ups and downs but also notable performances from their more experienced players. Meanwhile, BYU advances, highlighting their depth with contributions spread across their lineup, including star playmaker Egor Demin who was crucial in helping fuel BYU's advances.
With each possession proving crucial, the matchup between these two talented teams will be remembered as a showcase of college basketball at its finest, leading to moments that both fanbases will cherish moving forward.
