NCAA Tournament Preview: BYU vs. Wisconsin
DENVER — Following their successful advancement through the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, both BYU and Wisconsin adopted similar routines focused on hydration and relaxation, with Badgers guard John Blackwell noting the emphasis on chilling for the day.
In BYU’s case, team members made use of a hot tub for recovery.
The sixth-seeded Cougars (25-9) will take on the third-seeded Badgers (27-9) in a primetime matchup on Saturday at Ball Arena (5:45 p.m. MDT, CBS). Prior to speaking to the media, both teams held closed practices at the venue home to the NBA’s Nuggets and NHL’s Avalanche.
A victory for BYU would mark their first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2011, a memorable year when Jimmer Fredette led the team on a significant run. This would be just their second regional semifinal appearance since the tournament expanded to 32 teams in 1975.
Leading up to the game, BYU enjoyed some downtime at the hotel pool, had a team dinner, and allowed players time with family and friends visiting Denver.
“Our coach knows the importance of family,” remarked point guard Dallin Hall. “We enjoy the moment but also remind each other that we still have work to do in this tournament. Everyone quickly shifted focus to Wisconsin.”
As for the Badgers, point guard Dawson Baker shared an amusing story from the hotel hot tub with the pep band. “We had a fun night hanging out in the Jacuzzi,” he said, while teammate Trey Stewart chimed in about their enjoyable conversations, including talks of visiting a zoo in the area.
The Cougars celebrated their first NCAA Tournament win since 2012 and are determined not to let the excitement affect their focus. First-year head coach Kevin Young believes his team maintains a good balance between seriousness and enjoyment while understanding the gravity of their situation. “It’s essential not to take things too seriously,” he said, referencing his prior playoff experience in the NBA as he prepares for the intensity of the tournament.
