BYU is headed to the Sweet 16 for the first time since Jimmer Fredette led the Cougars in 2011.

The Cougars led from start to finish — never trailing — and stretched the lead to 14 points  multiple times, before holding on for a thrilling 91-89 victory over No. 3 Wisconsin.

The only reason the game was close was due to arguably the worst officiating crew in NCAA history as the officials did all they could to keep the Badgers in the game. BYU players were getting slapped across the face right in front of the officials and the cherry on top was BYU’s Dawson Baker getting ejected from the game for doing nothing while being mobbed by two Wisconsin players.

Yet despite playing a Top 10 team, dealing with the refs, and with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line, BYU players were clutch, and stepped up time and time again in one of the biggest moments in program history. Despite making the NCAA Tournament 32 times, the Cougars will make just their sixth appearance in the Sweet 16.

With the win, BYU is now 2-0 as a No. 6 seed facing a No. 3 seed. The Cougars will face the winner of the Alabama-Saint Mary’s game next Thursday in the East Regional.

BYU’s Richie Saunders led the way for BYU with 25 points and seven rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. Trevin Knell had 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Egor Demin nearly had a triple double with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, while Keba Keita had another strong performance with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.

Wisconsin was led by John Tonje who finished with a game-high 37 points. It was the first time anyone in the tournament scored more than 30 points this year. The 6-foot-5 senior couldn’t miss in the second half and benefited from a bunch of calls from the ref. Tonje shot 16 free throws, more than the entire BYU team. His step back jumper with three seconds left to tie the game missed, allowing the Cougars to escape.

John Blackwell chipped in with 21 points, Max Klesmit added 12 and Steven Crowl was the only other player to score in double digits for the Badgers.

Stat of the day: BYU is now 21-1 this season when scoring more than 80 points. The Cougars have also won 37 consecutive games when scoring more than 90+ points. BYU also improved to 12-0 this season when leading by double digits at the half.

Newsletter: In my BYU-Wisconsin preview, I picked BYU to win the high scoring affair, just like I predicted the Cougars to beat VCU. Cougars fans, be sure to subscribe to my free newsletter so you don’t miss out on my Sweet 16 preview and prediction. Your support allows me to keep providing you with BYU/Big 12 analysis you won’t find anywhere else.

Social media was buzzing about the game. Here’s all the reactions:

March Madness 2025: Big 12 Needs To Avenge Last Year’s Embarrassment

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March Madness 2025: Big 12 Needs To Avenge Last Year’s Embarrassment

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