Jay Bilas predicts Wisconsin basketball’s NCAA Tournament to end in an upset loss
ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas picked the Wisconsin Badgers to defeat the Montana Grizzlies in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Thursday.
However, the prominent analyst sees an early exit for the Badgers. In an article detailing his pick for every game in the tournament, he has No. 3-seed Wisconsin losing to No. 6-seed BYU in the round of 32.
"Wisconsin is a far better scoring team than in past seasons and can play at a faster tempo," Bilas wrote. "But there is something dynamic about BYU that makes this upset likely. Either way, I think Alabama takes the winner in the Sweet 16."
BYU's dynamic quality, as Bilas highlights, is seen on the offensive end. The Cougars boast KenPom's No. 11-ranked offense in the country, two spots ahead of the high-powered Badgers. The team averages 81 points per game off 48.2% shooting from the field and 37.1% from three. Those efforts are led by future NBA first-round draft pick Egor Demin (10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game), forward Richie Saunders (16 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game) and a deep roster of contributors.
BYU's lineup looks a lot like Michigan State's, just with the strength on the offensive end of the court. Nine players average at least five points per game, with eight averaging more than seven. For reference, Wisconsin has six players averaging more than five points per game and five players averaging more than seven -- John Tonje (19.2), John Blackwell (15.5), Steven Crowl (9.6), Nolan Winter (9.5) and Max Klesmit (9.4). Wisconsin has the top-end star power, but BYU boasts stronger depth.
Of note: one of BYU's leading contributors has missed the last four games with an injury and may not be ready for this weekend's action. His status is a major storyline entering Thursday's first-round games, then Saturday's hypothetical matchup.
That second-round matchup between Wisconsin and BYU is far from a guarantee, however. While BYU is No. 24 in KenPom, its first-round opponent, No. 11-seed VCU, is right there at No. 30. The Cougars have a legitimate test on Thursday afternoon, one they'd have to pass to face the Badgers.
Regardless, Wisconsin has far from an easy road to the Sweet 16 and beyond. Bilas is just one of many predicting the team to exit early. If true, it would be the program's eighth consecutive season without a Sweet 16 appearance.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball NCAA Tournament bracket Jay Bilas upset pick
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