DENVER — The tension was palpable as the Wisconsin Badgers and BYU Cougars faced off in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 22, 2025. Ultimately, it was the Cougars who emerged victorious with a narrow 91-89 win, sending the No. 3-seed Badgers home while successfully advancing to the Sweet 16.
Graduate guard John Tonje had the chance to tie the game with just one second left on the clock. Despite scoring a stunning 37 points in what became the final game of his college career, his last shot fell short of the rim. “Trying to make a play, trying to get to the rim. Just didn't go down,” Tonje lamented after the game, capturing the essence of the Badgers’ ups and downs throughout the tense match.
Wisconsin had entered the final two and a half minutes trailing by 11 points, a deficit that seemed insurmountable as they battled through a series of disappointing plays earlier in the match. However, what transpired in those final moments suggested resilience and fighting spirit. With a flagrant foul called against BYU's Dawson Baker with just over two minutes remaining, Wisconsin was gifted a five-point swing as they converted on free throws, cutting the lead to 89-83.
Despite this rally, things looked bleak when the Cougars regained a slight edge, pushing the score to 91-83 with just over a minute left in the game. Still, the Badgers did not back down. They managed to capitalize on a turnover from BYU, capitalizing on the opportunity as Tonje completed an impressive and-one play, making it 91-89 with only one minute remaining.
During the frantic final moments, Badgers forward Carter Gilmore executed a critical rebound and quickly called a timeout with just over 13 seconds left. “I gave it everything I had every single time, whether it was scoring, whether it was defending, getting on a loose ball,” Gilmore said, reflecting on his efforts in a high-stakes environment.
The fight for victory came fueled by moments from the first half, where the Badgers could not seem to find their rhythm, shooting only 38.7%. They trailed significantly at halftime with a 47-36 disadvantage. Their first half was marred by a six-minute field goal drought that left them vulnerable against BYU’s formidable offensive display.
BYU, known for their impeccable shooting, highlighted their 46.2% from beyond the arc with 12 three-pointers. Among their notable sharpshooters was Trevin Knell, who made impactful shots at critical junctures. It was a disheartening statistic for Wisconsin, as they too lacked defensive coherence at key moments during BYU's scoring phases.
Though Wisconsin rallied in the second half, posting impressive offensive stats with 1.559 points per possession, it was the early struggles and late defensive lapses that proved to be fatal. The Badgers had a 12-3 run initially to trim BYU's lead—but the Cougars responded similarly, maintaining a steady advantage through the duration of the game.
Ultimately, it was a bitter end for Wisconsin, extending their eight-year drought of not advancing beyond the second round of the NCAA Tournament. “We got a look the last possession,” senior guard Max Klesmit said. “So, I mean, there's nothing more you can really ask for.” The sentiment of graduating players echoed a sense of disappointment mixed with lingering pride.
Adding to the significance of the game, Jimmer Fredette, BYU’s former star and the last blue-chip recruit to leave a mark on the program, was present in the stands, witnessing the Cougars’ triumphant return to the NCAA spotlight. “Yeah, I was nervous,” Fredette admitted. “Look, you watched the game and you’re kind of like, ‘How did we get to a two-point game here, you know?’ But I think that describes this team. They fight, they’re resilient and play with heart and energy. And you’re going to win a lot of games doing that.”
After a decade-long absence from the Sweet 16, BYU celebrates their return, while Wisconsin must now look toward how to rebuild and revisit their past successes in future seasons. Coach Greg Gard emphasized the need to learn from narrow losses like these, expressing trust in his players, “I just put the ball in the best players' hands, and you trust them to go make a play.” It remains a journey forward for this historic basketball program, one where hope is still very much alive.
