DENVER — Dawson Baker, the talented guard for BYU, found himself pacing in the locker room, watching the dramatic conclusion of his team's game against Wisconsin unfold on a small television screen. Ejected with just over three minutes remaining due to a flagrant-2 foul for “non-incidental contact to the groin” of a Wisconsin player, Baker raised his arms in acknowledgment to the passionate, blue-clad BYU fan base as he exited the court. Alone in the locker room, he could do nothing but watch as his teammates fought to secure victory.
“It was a little bit of a nail-biter, watching it in here by myself,” Baker admitted. “It was a little scary. I was just pacing around, watching it on the TV. It got close, and it got me nervous. But I’m just ecstatic that we won.”
The No. 6 seed BYU Cougars managed to hold on for a thrilling 91-89 victory against No. 3 seed Wisconsin, despite a furious comeback attempt by the Badgers. Wisconsin had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but their efforts fell short. This monumental win sent BYU to their first Sweet 16 appearance in 14 years and marked the end of the Big Ten's impressive 10-0 start in the NCAA Tournament.
First-year head coach Kevin Young was energized throughout the night, celebrating with his team’s mascot and pumping his fist in excitement as he made his way to the locker room at halftime. The game featured a chaotic atmosphere, highlighted by six technical free throws, yet BYU largely maintained control until Wisconsin's late surge.
After starting with a challenging 2-4 record in Big 12 play, BYU has turned their season around, winning 11 of their last 12 games. They are now one of the hottest teams in college basketball as they prepare for their third-round matchup in Newark, N.J., against the winner of the Alabama-Saint Mary’s game.
“Words can’t really describe it,” said senior guard Richie Saunders, who scored an impressive 25 points in the game. “I’ve loved playing with this group. We’ve been together with some great additions, but there were a lot of us my freshman year taking some bad losses. And it’s crazy just to think about how we’ve stuck together as a team.”
The intensity of the game was evident early on, with BYU guard Egor Demin shoving a Wisconsin player during an inbound play. The officials allowed the game to continue, but tensions escalated when Cougars forward Mawot Mag received a technical foul at the end of the first half. Baker's ejection late in the second half added to the drama, while a Wisconsin assistant coach was also assessed a technical foul from the sidelines.
The technical fouls ultimately played a crucial role, with BYU benefiting from two free throws that proved to be the game’s deciding factor. A visibly frustrated Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard expressed his discontent, noting that he had often vented his frustrations without receiving a technical foul.
For a time, it seemed like BYU’s lead—a comfortable 14 points with just 10:25 left in the game—might be enough. However, Wisconsin mounted a furious comeback, led by John Tonje, who scored an astounding 37 points, including six points in a mere 15 seconds, narrowing the gap to just two points. In the closing seconds, Tonje had a chance to tie the game, but his fadeaway jumper missed its mark as the final buzzer sounded, sending BYU into a frenzy of celebration.
“I’ve had good memories in this building, and so this is by far the best one, man,” said Coach Young, who previously served as an NBA assistant with the Phoenix Suns. “Just the energy in the building, you can’t describe it. It felt like, honestly, a home game in certain moments for Cougar Nation, just everywhere, just so much blue out there.”
As the BYU locker room buzzed with excitement, the team was poised to take the court shortly after witnessing Michigan's successful comeback earlier in the evening. The celebratory atmosphere from the Wolverines' victory filtered through the walls, serving as a motivating example for the Cougars.
“‘That sounds so fun,” senior guard Trey Stewart recalled telling a teammate before they took the court. “‘We need that.’” The Cougars indeed got what they needed, wrapped in a dramatic finish that will be remembered in BYU basketball history.
