One injury update to note for Wisconsin’s potential NCAA Tournament matchup against BYU

Wisconsin basketball will look to ignite its first deep NCAA Tournament run in seven years when it takes the court against No. 14-seed Montana on Thursday.

The Badgers enter the first-round matchup as prohibitive favorites. It would be a shock if they failed to advance to Saturday’s second round, where they would play the winner of No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 VCU.

Wisconsin fans may want to keep the television tuned to TNT after Wisconsin’s opening game, that is if the Badgers advance. BYU and VCU will tip off from Denver, Colorado, less than an hour after the Badgers-Grizzlies game concludes. Notably, both teams are ranked better than their seed lines indicate. No. 6-seed BYU is No. 24 in KenPom and No. 11-seed VCU is No. 30. Wisconsin’s potential second-round matchup against the winner projects to be a significant challenge.

As we begin to peek ahead to what may follow, it’s worth noting both BYU and VCU’s health entering Thursday’s first round.

VCU has a clean injury report after its run to the A-10 Tournament title. BYU, meanwhile, has been without freshman forward Kanon Catchings (knee injury) since March 1. BYU coach Kevin Young told reporters on Sunday, as shared by KSL Sports, that Catchings remains ‘day to day’ entering the NCAA Tournament. His status is worth monitoring when the Cougars take the court on Thursday.

Catchings has missed BYU’s last four games, including its statement Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal win over Iowa State. The former top recruit, who entered the year with some NBA draft consideration, is averaging 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists on 41.2% shooting in 29 games (15 starts) this season. His signature performances include 23 points in an overtime win over Baylor on Jan. 28 and 14 in a win over Arizona on Feb. 22.

BYU is primarily led by forward Richie Saunders (16 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals per game) and likely NBA first-round draft pick guard Egor Demin (10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists per game). The team boasts KenPom’s No. 11-ranked offensive efficiency — two spots ahead of the high-powered Wisconsin Badgers. A potential matchup between the two teams could be a fast-paced, high-scoring battle between two of the top offenses in the sport, led by several NBA hopefuls.

Wisconsin fans should monitor Catchings’ status as BYU takes the court against VCU on Thursday afternoon. His potential return to the lineup would give Young yet another high-ceiling scoring option on what is already a dynamic offense.

The Badgers will take the court against No. 14-seed Montana on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET, followed by No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 VCU at 4:10 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast on TNT, with the winners set to meet on Saturday (time TBD).

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