DENVER – For the first time in 14 years, BYU basketball is headed to the Sweet 16.
The Round of 32 matchup against the No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers was dramatic, to say the least. But, the Cougars still came out on top in a 91-89 win.
Richie Saunders led the way for BYU with 25 points while shooting 56 percent from the floor and 75 percent from three. Three other Cougars scored in double figures. It was a team effort though. BYU led in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, fastbreak points, and points in the paint.
BYU will play the winner of No. 2 Alabama and No. 7 Saint Mary’s in Atlanta next week.
BYU Basketball Continues Dance With Win Over Wisconsin
Pregame
BYU fans, it’s game day! 🏀
(6) BYU vs. (3) Wisconsin
📸: Isaac Hale, Deseret News pic.twitter.com/V8Qb6VS3m0
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 22, 2025
ROUND 2. pic.twitter.com/PTC245ZMka
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 22, 2025
Patiently waiting for 5:45pm MT pic.twitter.com/91Cu3xPr7R
— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) March 22, 2025
@raiderdamuni we are ready!!!! pic.twitter.com/wmO234GUXS
— Parker Kingston (@ParkerKingston) March 22, 2025
Some @BYUfootball players are in Denver to support Cougar Hoops 💙🏀https://t.co/IrczViON64
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 22, 2025
Of course @TheCosmoCougar is backflipping his way into the arena 🤣@BYUMBB 🆚 @BadgerMBB coming soon 👀#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/HcWevWqbh7
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2025
back to it pic.twitter.com/nX1tluz0AT
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 22, 2025
locked in pic.twitter.com/Im1UypvWk9
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 22, 2025
gettin’ loose pic.twitter.com/F83wtxe98H
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 22, 2025
We finally have a final in Michigan-Texas A&M. 44 fouls were called in the game.
Michigan advances.
The Big Ten is now 10-0 in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
BYU takes on Big Ten member Wisconsin next here in Denver.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 22, 2025
BYU is wearing black uniforms for today’s game against Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/W2CggMX5Ql
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Cougs take the court👊 pic.twitter.com/CHXFFfEYhy
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
Jimmer and Ainge are here.
The last two stars to lead BYU basketball to the Sweet 16.
Will BYU do it again tonight? pic.twitter.com/YVpTH4JqEN
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
BYU vs. Wisconsin starting lineups pic.twitter.com/CU2mmXSm60
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
almost game time⏳ pic.twitter.com/j2lnR5TxPp
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
let’s roll pic.twitter.com/SwoiDEwX40
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
first five⬇️ pic.twitter.com/84jcnBVso2
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
First Half
TIPOFF!
No. 6 BYU vs No. 3 Wisconsin is underway with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line!@BYUMBB
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
lets do this Cougar Nation!! pic.twitter.com/rw75Vf5e1z
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
BYU starts hot and the Cougar fans at Ball Arena are making themselves heard.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
The Cougars are warming up QUICKLY against Wisconsin ♨️
Watch NOW: https://t.co/Cw7PWdG3Nq#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/8RAJTVlUox
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
BYU fans are loud here in the Ball Arena.
They have a lot to cheer about early on as BYU jumps out to a strong start. They lead Wisconsin 14-8 at the first media timeout.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Say it with us…
GO COUGS!
— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) March 23, 2025
BYU doubled up Wisconsin in field goal attempts in the opening minutes. BYU has put up eight attempts, Wisconsin only four.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
15:45 1H
BYU 14 – 8 Wisconsin
Keita, Demin, and Saunders have all of BYU’s points. The Cougars are streaking offensively, starting 5-8 from the field.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
the feed. the finish.pic.twitter.com/5X6XXCHu4u
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
COUGAR NATION >>> pic.twitter.com/d9CGu94isE
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
Cougs getting buckets early pic.twitter.com/iweG9WnPRi
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
off to the races 💨pic.twitter.com/uP8fJQv5CW
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
BYU is playing with great spacing and passing that ball around. They are playing well to open this game.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Mihailo feelin’ it 👌pic.twitter.com/yy9VECQvwt
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
10:50 1H
BYU 23 – 14 Wisconsin
The Cougars went a little cold and the Badgers settled into the game, cutting their deficit to two before this fast-paced BYU offense went on a 7-0 run.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
The chemistry between Dallin Hall and Fousseyni Traore. Hall has a knack for always finding Fouss for an easy bucket.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Cougs on a 7-0 run rn!! pic.twitter.com/IusXmxDrKd
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
It’s pretty impressive to see five reserves playing early in an NCAA Tournament and the offense isn’t skipping a beat.
Stewart, Hall, Baker, Boskovic, and Traore are giving BYU good minutes.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Kevin Young was not happy with his team on that shot clock violation possession.
Knell had a nice finger roll on the following offensive series to get BYU back up by double-figures.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
7:34 1H
BYU 27 – 16 Wisconsin
Buckets were hard to come by over the last few minutes as the game became more physical, but the Cougars’ defense is holding strong; the Badgers are only shooting 28% from the field.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
Cougs MOVIN’ pic.twitter.com/E7mw0DQYzn
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
BYU on point in the first half of this one 📍
They open up a double-digit lead on Wisconsin 👀#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/US5jHUJTre
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
ATOs with Richie Saunders
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Back-to-back-to-back-to-back three-pointers between BYU and Wisconsin.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
4 TRIPLES BACK-TO-BACK 🔥
BYU & Wisconsin trading haymakers in the first half 🥊#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/rIykWDw2nu
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
Richie Saunders wouldn’t be denied. Outstanding effort. pic.twitter.com/ToZwOFftlk
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Richie Saunders has now scored in double figures in 11 straight games.#BYUHoops #GoCougs
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) March 23, 2025
5:07 1H
BYU 38 – 24 Wisconsin
Back-to-back buckets from Egor Demin and Richie Saunders, forcing the Badgers to call a timeout. Ball Arena is very blue and very loud.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
SCOOPED EMpic.twitter.com/HtrlMcKr2D
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
Kevin Young wanted his team to level up the urgency after the VCU win.
The message was received from Egor Demin. He’s playing with an edge right now.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
lotta BLUE in Ball Arena 🤙 pic.twitter.com/e5lO2wjENf
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
3:32 1H
BYU 38 – 29 Wisconsin
The energy and tension are palpable, the intensity has been turned up. Wisconsin is staying within striking distance.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
A LOT going right for @BYUMBB in the first half 📈#MarchMadness https://t.co/cegTmW6Um2 pic.twitter.com/9E1zOL3gAQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
Keita with authority. Whoa.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
you KNOW we love a lob to Keba!! 🤯pic.twitter.com/SOsXXUIqEY
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
Frustration with the refs leads to Mawot Mag getting called for a technical foul.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Big shot from Trevin Knell.
BYU has done an excellent job closing the first halves strong in this tournament.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
BYU three to beat the half-time buzzer ‼️
Cougars are DIALED IN 😤#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/jgpbx45HgB
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
HALFTIME
BYU 47 – 36 Wisconsin
Trevin Knell finishes off a half of high-level, exciting basketball with a three-pointer just before the horn to extend the Cougars’ lead back to double-digits. Huge for BYU to grab back the momentum going into the locker room.
Richie Saunders: 12… pic.twitter.com/F9bbtXdc9U
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
COUGS ON TOP AT THE HALF 🤙 pic.twitter.com/CHY5doUlGp
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
Halftime: BYU 47, Wisconsin 36
Some notable stats – Rebounds: BYU (+12, 26-14) – 3PT: BYU 43%, Wisconsin 29%
– Points Off Turnovers: BYU 7, Wisconsin 4
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
BYU was called for 10 fouls in the first half. Officials called Wisconsin for six.
BYU was 7 of 7 from the FT line, and Wisconsin was 7 of 11. The Badgers missed two front-ends.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Second Half
Wisconsin is on an 8-0 run.
BYU leads 52-48 with 15:53 remaining.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
15:53 2H
BYU 52 – 48 Wisconsin
The Badgers came out hot, cutting into the BYU lead in the first four minutes of the half. The Wisconsin bench was not happy with a call and was just given a technical going into the first media timeout. Richie Saunders sunk both free throws.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
BYU capitalizes on the Wisconsin technical foul. Richie Saunders hits both free throws, then gets a layup to extend BYU’s lead to 8.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
That crowd pop tho 😳
Cougars looking to pull away 👀#MarchMadness @BYUMBB pic.twitter.com/fHO93f4dV2
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
TREEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYY pic.twitter.com/BnEKma6sq6
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
11:47 2H
BYU 63 – 54 Wisconsin
For every punch the Badgers have thrown, the Cougars have had an answer. Trey Stewart just hit a three to put the lead back to nine.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
battling. pic.twitter.com/3ImGt9ztzS
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
Dawson Baker’s handle is a sight to see. He’s gifted at getting to the rim, plays at his speed.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Wisconsin timeout.
BYU 67, Wisconsin 56 – 10:50 to go.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Rich workin’ pic.twitter.com/Ss27b7MunX
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
COOOOOUUUUUGSSSS pic.twitter.com/g6bKqfdoqK
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
7:23 2H
BYU 78 – 68 Wisconsin
The Badgers looked like they might be poised to go on a run and cut the lead, but two huge threes from Trevin Knell in the last two minutes kept the lead at 10.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
MAKE IT RAIN pic.twitter.com/kDMZLUwO94
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
Grown man offensive rebound by Richie Saunders.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Richie Saunders with a career-high six offensive rebounds.#BYUHoops #GoCougs
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) March 23, 2025
Keba Keita: Block Party pic.twitter.com/gXpOPsoyCW
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
KING KEBA pic.twitter.com/Y24ap2t5zf
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
3:11 2H
BYU 86 – 76 Wisconsin
Richie Saunders has 23 points and 6 offensive rebounds and has hit some huge shots for the Cougars in the last few minutes. He has shown up big in March.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
Flagrant Two foul call on Dawson Baker. He’s ejected.
The ref said there was “clearly not incidental contact.”
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Egor Demin with a BIG three to put the Cougars up 11.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
Same, Trev. Same. pic.twitter.com/BvZ3M2DWfO
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025
BADGERS NOT DONE 👀
BYU-Wisconsin going down to the wire 🍿#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/WOh1oMXVtI
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
1:27 2H
BYU 89 – 83 Wisconsin
A five-point burst from the Badgers has the lead down to six. Kevin Young called a timeout to get set. BYU ball with nine seconds on the shot clock.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
WE GOTTA CLOSE ONE, FOLKS pic.twitter.com/Dblh3Rwnv1
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 23, 2025
1:11 2H
BYU 91 – 85 Wisconsin
Richie Saunders knocked down two free throws but then John Tonje hit a three on the other end.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
THIS. GAME. pic.twitter.com/AXbA6NrxZW
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 23, 2025
0:39 2H
BYU 91 – 89 Wisconsin
A BYU turnover on the inbound pass turned into an and-1 for John Tonje and the Cougars’ lead is down to two. BYU ball with eight seconds on the shot clock.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 23, 2025
That Egor 3-point attempt was around the same spot Jimmer buried his Sports Illustrated cover three. That would have been an all-timer.
BYU maintains possession.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
all of us rn pic.twitter.com/7eHKrNmxfo
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 23, 2025
BYU 91, Wisconsin 89
30.9 remaining
BYU ball – Fresh 20 on the shot clock
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
Dallin Hall misses at the rim.
Wisconsin’s Carter Gilmore comes up with the rebound and calls a timeout.
Badgers ball with 13.5 remaining.
BYU up by 2
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
BYU ADVANCES TO THE SWEET 16
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 23, 2025
— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) March 23, 2025
Follow BYU and the NCAA Tournament on KSL Sports
The Cougars received a No. 6 seed in the East Region and will continue their “Big Dance” in Denver on Saturday against the No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers.
Follow the BYU Cougars with KSL Sports here.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.
Tanner Tripp is a sports writer for KSL Sports covering all teams across the state of Utah. Follow him on X @tanner_tripp and Instagram @tanner.tripp here.
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