#23 Wisconsin vs. #9 BYU Picks and Predictions: College Hoops in Salt Lake City

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Last Update: Wed Jan 14, 2026, 4:12 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Richie Saunders is a sniper from downtown for the Cougars - NCAA Basketball Picks

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Wisconsin Badgers logo
FINAL
BYU Cougars logo

Wisconsin Badgers

70

BYU Cougars

98
See Picks & Statistics For The Game

Out in Salt Lake City this Friday afternoon there's a top 25 NCAA Basketball showdown. Greg Gard and his No. 23 ranked Wisconsin Badgers head west to take on the No. 9 ranked BYU Cougars. Kevin Young's team is coming off a heartbreaking loss to the UConn Huskies, and will be looking to bounce back in what is basically a home game for this top 10 team. Does Wisconsin have what it takes to upset the Cougars in Utah? Let's find out with our favorite picks.

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#23 Wisconsin Badgers vs. #9 BYU Cougars NCAA Basketball Insights

BYU actually knocked Wisconsin out of the NCAA Tournament last year, beating them 91-89 in the round of 32 in an upset. Squads have certainly changed since then, but the Badgers still have some intangibles. John Blackwell and Nolan Winter were both a part of that team that lost last season, and now are trying to get Wisconsin back to the tournament, and even further than last year.

As for BYU, their team looks much different, but freshman AJ Dybantsa is certainly living up to the hype. He's averaging over 20 points per game and leads the team in rebounds as well with 6.8 per game. However, I worry about the Cougars long term health, considering Dybantsa, Richie Saunders and Robert Wright account for nearly 69% of the team's scoring. That is not sustainable long term.

Matchup Information – Wisconsin vs. BYU – November 21

  • Venue & Location: Delta Center (Salt Lake City, UT)
  • Date: Friday, November 21, 2025
  • Kick Off: 4:00 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: Peacock

Wisconsin vs. BYU Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of November 21, 2025 at 10:25 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code BNBOL55 for a 55% deposit bonus. BetOnline offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.

Spread

  • Wisconsin +4.5 (-110)
  • BYU -4.5 (-110)

Moneyline

  • Wisconsin +174
  • BYU -200

Total

  • Over 163.5 (-110)
  • Under 163.5 (-110)

This total has steamed up towards the over, and I mean STEAMED. We saw this total open closer to 158.5, and now it has grown five points. Normally, fading that steam worries me, but it worked last night as Bucknell and St. John's saw their total get bought up, only to stay under. We will be using that same thinking tonight in this one.

#23 Wisconsin vs. #9 BYU NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions

Kevin Young leads a BYU Cougars team that is full of youth - Wisconsin BYU Picks

Kevin Young leads a BYU Cougars team that is full of youth

Wisconsin vs. BYU Prediction: BYU Wins, Wisconsin Covers, Under 163.5

Best Bet: Wisconsin/BYU Under 163.5 (-110) BetOnline

The BYU Cougars only rank No. 178 in pace this year, averaging just 68.8 possessions per game. While the team is rock solid offensively, shooting well and taking great care of the ball, they severely struggle to get to the free throw line. BYU ranks No. 298 in free throw rate offense, while ranking top 40 in FTR defense, meaning they can't get to the stripe, but don't send their opponent's there either.

Greg Gard's team is No. 210 in pace this season, averaging just 69.8 possessions per game. This will be their first time traveling this season and will be their first real opponent, as they have four wins over teams ranked No. 183 through No. 298. The Badgers are staring down the barrel of six straight top 100 opponents. I see them using their tempo (or lack of) to slow down this game and keep it to minimal possessions. We are finally seeing some buy back on this under, meaning I think it is done climbing and safe for us to tap the button now.

The Badgers are top 25 in rebounding, top 50 in turnover rate on both sides of the ball, and are top 30 in adjusted efficiency on offense and defense. Sure, those numbers may be a little inflated based on who they have played, but I have faith in them to control the pace of this game and keep it low scoring. Greg Peterson, Bart Torvik and Eric Haslam all have this staying under 160, so I'll trust the analytics.

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Nate Hornung
Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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