Zero first-round upsets at Ball Arena sets the stage for big-name matchups on Saturday. Four teams will battle for a spot in the Sweet 16 at Ball Arena on March 22. Read more for a full Round of 32 in Denver prediction and preview.
The 5-seed Michigan Wolverines survived a 68-65 thriller against 14-seed UC San Diego, holding off a furious effort from Tyler McGhie, who dropped 25 points but couldn’t sink a buzzer-beater to force overtime.
Next up for Michigan is Texas A&M (4), which sent 13-seed Yale packing with an 80-71 win. Big man Pharrel Payne dominated inside, posting a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin (3) coasted to an 85-66 victory over Montana (14), fueled by John Blackwell and Steven Crowl, who combined for 37 points.
Their opponent, 6-seed BYU, capitalized on VCU’s blunders to secure an 80-71 win, marking the Cougars’ first Round of 32 appearance since 2011.
5. Michigan vs. 4. Texas A&M – Ball Arena, Denver | 3:15 p.m. (MDT)
This matchup will be an unforgiving defensive battle in the paint.
Texas A&M thrives on rebounding, but the Aggies will have to work to control the glass against Michigan’s towering frontcourt. Danny Wolf, a 7-foot center, pulls down 9.9 rebounds per game, while 7-foot-1 Vladislav Goldin averages 6.8 rebounds and leads Michigan in scoring with 16.6 points per game.
Texas A&M’s greatest strength lies in its depth and experience. With eight graduating seniors, the Aggies have been here before—many making their second or even third March Madness appearance.
Their balanced attack was on display in the First Round, with 10 different players clocking in and nine scoring. Wade Taylor IV passed the rock around with five assists.
5. Michigan vs. 4. Texas A&M prediction: Texas A&M by 5
Michigan will put up a much tougher fight than Yale, but the Aggies’ depth and defense will prove too much to overcome. Expect a 70-65 defensive grind, with Texas A&M punching its ticket to the Sweet 16.
6. BYU vs. 3. Wisconsin – Ball Arena, Denver | 5:45 p.m. (MDT)
Both BYU and Wisconsin can breathe a sigh of relief after being last season’s first-round upset victims. This time, both teams popped off with 80 points in their openers, setting the stage for a high-scoring shootout between two of the nation’s most efficient offenses.
BYU is in the top three of the Big 12 in points per game (81 ppg), field goal percentage (.482), three-point percentage (.371) and three-pointers made (353).
Freshman forward Egor Demin played a key role in the Cougars’ first-round win, scoring 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting while adding two assists.
The Badgers bring a frontcourt matchup unlike anything BYU has faced this season. Steven Crowl (7-foot, fifth-year senior) and Nolan Winter (6-foot-11, sophomore) can both stretch the floor, making them tough to guard.
Both average just under 10 points per game and are legitimate perimeter threats. Crowl shoots 42% from three (2 attempts per game), while Winter hits 37% from deep (2.6 attempts per game). This rare blend of size and shooting ability will push BYU to its defensive limits in the Round of 32.
6. BYU vs. 3. Wisconsin prediction: Badgers by 3
Unlike the Michigan-A&M matchup, this will be a fast-paced, offensive showcase. Both teams rank top 20 nationally in three-pointers, with nearly half their shots coming from beyond the arc.
In the end, it will come down to execution. Expect Wisconsin to pull off a clutch play late, edging out BYU in a thriller: 86-83.