The No. 9 ranked BYU Cougars will clash with the No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers on March 1, 2024, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. This matchup marks a rematch of last season’s thrilling NCAA Tournament encounter, where BYU narrowly defeated Wisconsin 91-89 to secure a spot in the Sweet 16. However, the Cougars will compete without their star forward, Kenard Davis Jr., who has been sidelined following a misdemeanor DUI charge. Davis, who has averaged 9.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in two games this season, pleaded not guilty to the charge this week, according to Deseret News.
In last year’s tournament, BYU’s victory featured a standout performance from Richie Saunders, who scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Wisconsin, on the other hand, will be without John Tonje, who scored an impressive 37 points in that same loss. This absence may significantly impact the Badgers’ strategy as they look to capitalize on BYU’s current roster challenges.
Key Players and Team Dynamics
The Cougars boast one of the most formidable trios in college basketball, led by freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa. Projected as a potential No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, Dybantsa is delivering an impressive average of 20.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 57% from the field. Alongside him, Saunders contributes 19.5 points and 6.3 rebounds, with sophomore transfer Robert Wright III adding 17.8 points and 4.3 assists. Collectively, these three players account for approximately 68% of BYU’s scoring.
In contrast, Wisconsin features a balanced attack with four players averaging double-digit scoring. Nick Boyd leads the way with 20.0 points per game, while John Blackwell, recently named to the Wooden Award Top 50 Watch List, contributes an impressive 19.5 points. The Badgers also benefit from the size of seven-footer Nolan Winter, who averages 14.2 points, and 6-foot-10 Austin Rapp, who adds 11.8 points and 9.2 rebounds.
BYU’s frontcourt may be further weakened if forward Keba Keita remains unavailable, which could give Wisconsin a notable size advantage. The Badgers have yet to face a significant challenge this season, having won all four of their games by at least 25 points.
Game Context and Expectations
This upcoming contest not only serves as a chance for BYU to secure their first top-25 victory of the season but also to build momentum after a close loss to No. 3 Connecticut. The Cougars’ previous match against Villanova resulted in a 71-66 victory, showcasing their potential despite the absence of Davis. As they prepare for the game, the Cougars aim to repeat last year’s success against Wisconsin, who currently leads the all-time series 2-1.
Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action live on Peacock. As both teams look to establish their paths in the NCAA landscape, this matchup promises to be a thrilling contest.
