The No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers get their first big test of the season on Friday when they travel to take on the No. 9 BYU Cougars at the Delta Center. Tip-off is slated for 3:00 p.m. on Peacock.
Wisconsin
has started the season 4-0, averaging over 93 points per game while limiting opponents to 65 points per game. They’ve beaten every opponent by at least 25, thanks to an efficient offensive attack that prioritizes shots at the rim, from beyond the arc, and at the free throw line.
Transfer guard Nick Boyd leads the team with 20 points per game, dominating in transition. He also averages 3.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per contest, while shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three.
John Blackwell has taken a step forward, averaging 19.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from three.
Nolan Winter is nearly averaging a double-double with 14.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game on 60.3 percent from the field, while Austin Rapp is the other Badger averaging double-figures so far this season.
Wisconsin is still growing on the defensive side of the ball, but they’re showing improvements, led by transfer guard Andrew Rohde, who has been the leader on the wing.
They face a BYU team that has already seen some tough competition, beating Villanova in its season opener before narrowly losing to UNC after a fervent comeback effort.
Projected top-3 pick A.J. Dybantsa leads the way, averaging 20.3 points and 6.8 rebounds, while shooting 57.4 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep. He’s scored at least 17 points, while shooting at least 50 percent in all four of BYU’s games.
The Cougars also return star Richie Saunders, who scored 25 on the Badgers in the Round of 32 last season. Saunders is averaging 19.5 points per game this season, while shooting over 49 percent from the field. Transfer point guard Rob Wright III has also been a factor, averaging 17.8 points and 4.3 assists per game, which is a jump up from his production at Baylor as a freshman.
BYU is the No. 5 offense in the country, according to KenPom, so they will definitely be a challenge for the Badgers.
But, they’re only slight favorites over Wisconsin at home.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Cougars are 3.5-point favorites at home over the Badgers, with the over/under set at 158.5 points. Can the Badgers get the upset on Friday? They’ll surely move up the rankings if they do.
