The BYU Cougars and the Wisconsin Badgers are set to face one another in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 22.
Tip-off is set for 6:45 p.m. central on CBS.
BYU (25-9), a No. 6 seed, is coming off an 80-71 win over No. 11 seed VCU on Thursday. Wisconsin (27-9), a No. 3 seed, is coming off an 85-66 win over No. 14 seed Montana on Thursday.
BYU is seeking its first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2011. Wisconsin is seeking its first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2017.
Here is a preview of the game.
How to Watch BYU vs. Wisconsin
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 6:45 p.m. CT
TV Channel: CBS
Site: Ball Arena, Denver, Colo.
BYU vs. Wisconsin Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Wisconsin (-1.5)
Current Line: Wisconsin (-1.5)
Over/Under: 154.5 (opened at 154.5)
BYU vs. Wisconsin Predictions
The Cougars broke a thaw with their first-round win over VCU, as they won a first-round game in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012. What’s more, it was somewhat comfortable. The Rams are a yearly threat to higher-seeded teams. But BYU led by nine at the break and won by nine.
The duo inside was the big story. Between Fousseyni Traore and Keba Keita they scored 22 points and grabbed 18 rebounds. Production like that inside will take pressure off the outside shooters like Richie Saunders and Egor Demin.
This is a high-scoring Badgers team, one of its better offensive teams in recent years. BYU’s defense will be key.
The vast majority of Wisconsin’s scoring will come from its starting five of guard John Tonje, guard John Blackwell, guard Max Klesmit, forward Steven Crowl and forward Nolan Winter. Klesmit was held scoreless against Montana and was in foul trouble. Xavier Amos is worth watching off the bench in those situations.
BYU’s 3-point shooting can be a differentiator here. Saunders wasn’t rolling in the opener. That may change against the Badgers. Demin hit a trio of 3-pointers on Thursday. He does that again, that could make a difference.
BYU 83, Wisconsin 79
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Wisconsin (53.2% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
