Wisconsin vs. BYU Prediction: College Basketball Expert Picks & Odds for Nov. 21

My Wisconsin vs. BYU prediction breaks down one of two games between ranked opponents on Friday’s college basketball slate as part of The Bad Boy Mowers Series. Tipoff from Delta Center in Salt Lake City is set for 4 p.m. ET (Peacock), with No. 9 BYU listed as a 5.5-point betting favorite.

BYU is coming off its first loss of the season to UConn. That marked its second game in the young season versus a team that has won multiple national championships in the last decade. However, with some key pieces likely to be missing, I am backing No. 23 Wisconsin as part of my college basketball predictions.

✅ Wisconsin vs. BYU prediction & expert picks

See all of our experts' college basketball picks this week.

🏀 Wisconsin vs. BYU preview & score prediction

BYU showed real toughness in clawing back from an 11-point halftime deficit to out-score UConn by 10 points over the final 10 minutes in front of a partisan Boston crowd, only to lose by two. But Wisconsin is 4-0 in back-to-back seasons for the fourth time in the Greg Gard era, and is lurking as an overlooked underdog entering this AP top 25 matchup.

Will the Cougars be shorthanded again?

BYU was without its best perimeter defender, Kennard Davis, against UConn, as he was cited for marijuana possession and arrested on suspicion of DUI earlier in the week. And to add to the Cougars’ troubles, their most imposing frontcourt presence, Keba Keita, exited in the first half with an injury after a collision.

While not having either player would be a huge hit in this game, the potential loss of Davis is crucial when facing the perimeter-oriented Badgers. 

Wisconsin entered the week as one of nine Big Ten teams shooting more than 40% of its shots from 3-point range. The Badgers rank in the top 10 with 52.9% of their total field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc, and they lead the conference with 12.3 3-point field goals per game. In fact, Wisconsin’s 49 made 3-pointers are its most through four games since at least 2002-03.

Wisconsin combines lethal 3-point shooting with an offense that averages fewer than 10 turnovers per game. The Badgers committed a season-low four turnovers in their last game, and their ball security is a big reason they have won all four of their games by 25-plus points.

The best return for Wisconsin backers is at FanDuel, the only top sports betting site charging less than -105 odds at a 51.22% implied probability to grab the 5.5 points. At a price of -102, a $10 wager would net $9.80 in profits if Wisconsin covers.

Score prediction: BYU 80, Wisconsin 78

🆚 Wisconsin vs. BYU matchup to watch

Robert Wright vs. Badgers defense

BYU’s AJ Dybantsa is virtually unstoppable in ball screen action, and entered the UConn game scoring 1.4 points per possession off ball screens. The Cougars needed every bit of Dybantsa’s season-high 25 points in their near-upset bid of the Huskies, and his ultra-aggressive downhill attack also led to a season-high 10 free throws.

With BYU possibly down two starters, I expect BYU head coach Kevin Young will devise a scheme to put the ball in Dybantsa’s hands even more as a playmaker, as evidenced by his projected point total of O/U 22.5. 

So even though point guard Robert Wright has a solid 23.6% assist rate, his ceiling for assists is lowered by a Badgers defense that allows assists at the 25th-lowest rate of opponents’ made field goals (40.4%).

If you want to dig into more of my favorite player props today, look no further than my college basketball best bets. 

Best prop bet: Robert Wright Under 4.5 assists (-115 via bet365)

📊 Wisconsin vs. BYU odds

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📺 How to watch Wisconsin vs. BYU

• Date: Friday, Nov. 21
• Tipoff: 4 p.m. ET
• Location: Delta Center (Salt Lake City)
• TV: Peacock