Everything BYU coach Kevin Young said after his team’s NCAA Tournament win over Wisconsin

The NCAA Tournament is the most exhilarating and nerve-wracking event in college basketball, where one game can make or break a season. For BYU (Brigham Young University), their victory over Wisconsin in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament was monumental. It was a game that would forever be etched in the minds of BYU fans, players, and coaches, and a victory that had the Cougar faithful buzzing. The win over Wisconsin wasn’t just another upset; it was a testament to the team’s resilience, preparation, and unwavering belief that they could compete at the highest level.

When the final buzzer sounded, securing BYU’s 78-72 win, it was clear that the Cougars had just pulled off one of the biggest victories in recent memory. But no one was more relieved and proud of the win than BYU’s head coach, Kevin Young. After the game, as is customary in the NCAA Tournament, Coach Young was thrust into the spotlight to address the media and reflect on his team’s hard-fought victory. In an emotional post-game press conference, Coach Young provided candid insights into his team’s performance, his coaching philosophy, and what the win meant for his players, the program, and the BYU community.

Here’s everything Coach Kevin Young said after BYU’s monumental NCAA Tournament win over Wisconsin.

Opening Remarks: Reflecting on the Game

When Coach Kevin Young approached the microphone, the sense of pride and emotion was apparent. His eyes were gleaming with satisfaction as he took a moment to compose himself before addressing the media.

“First off, I just want to say how proud I am of these guys,” Coach Young began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “That was a battle out there. Wisconsin is a phenomenal team, and they’ve had an incredible season. But our guys came out, stayed focused, and fought for every possession. We knew this game would be tough—March Madness is never easy—but I couldn’t be prouder of the effort, the heart, and the determination these guys showed tonight.”

Coach Young’s opening remarks immediately set the tone for the press conference. His words were reflective, yet filled with a palpable sense of pride in his team’s performance. His appreciation for his players’ effort was evident, and it was clear that this victory meant more than just advancing in the tournament; it was a validation of the hard work and discipline that had gone into building the BYU program under his leadership.

On the Game Plan and Execution

When asked about his game plan going into the matchup against a high-caliber team like Wisconsin, Coach Young took a deep breath before elaborating on the strategic elements that led to the win.

“We came into this game with a clear focus,” he explained. “We knew Wisconsin had some outstanding individual players—guys like Max Klesmit and Chucky Hepburn, who can really take over games. But we also knew that if we played our brand of basketball, we could disrupt them. Our defense was key. We wanted to make them uncomfortable, especially on the perimeter. And I think our guys did an excellent job of that tonight.”

He then went into more detail about how BYU’s defensive strategy was designed to force Wisconsin into tough shots, particularly from three-point range.

“We really made an emphasis on defending the three-point line,” Coach Young continued. “We knew that Wisconsin has some great shooters, and if we let them get hot from deep, we were in for a long night. Our perimeter defense was stellar. We communicated well, and we were aggressive without fouling. But more than anything, our guys had trust in one another. We rotated, we helped each other, and we didn’t let Wisconsin’s shooters get clean looks. That was huge for us.”

It was clear that Coach Young’s defensive approach played a crucial role in limiting Wisconsin’s offensive output. The Badgers were a dangerous three-point shooting team, and by contesting shots and disrupting their rhythm, BYU was able to neutralize one of Wisconsin’s biggest weapons.

On Player Performances

As the media session continued, reporters shifted their focus to individual performances. Coach Young didn’t hesitate to praise his players’ contributions, especially the standout performances that were critical to the victory.

“I’ve got to give a ton of credit to our captain, [senior guard] Jaxson Robinson,” Coach Young said, a smile crossing his face. “Jaxson was incredible tonight. He hit some huge shots, especially down the stretch when the game was tight. He’s the kind of player you want in these high-pressure moments. But it wasn’t just Jaxson. Everyone on the team stepped up.”

Robinson had been a key player for BYU throughout the season, and his performance in the game against Wisconsin was a testament to his leadership and ability to perform under pressure. Robinson finished with 22 points, including several clutch three-pointers in the final minutes, and played a pivotal role in securing the win.

“We also had some really big contributions from our bench,” Coach Young added. “Guys like [sophomore guard] Ryan Daly and [freshman forward] Ethan Young really gave us a boost when we needed it. Ryan hit some huge threes in the second half, and Ethan’s defense down low was key to slowing down their bigs. It’s all about team basketball, and our guys bought in from the start.”

Young’s words spoke to the collective nature of BYU’s victory. While individual performances stood out, the victory was a product of team cohesion, chemistry, and a collective effort to execute the game plan.

On Handling the Pressure of March Madness

The NCAA Tournament is often described as the “survival of the fittest,” and in that environment, the pressure to perform can be overwhelming. For BYU, the win over Wisconsin was a moment of validation, but also a reminder of the pressure that comes with the bright lights of March Madness.

When asked how his team handled the pressure, Coach Young smiled and gave credit to his players’ mental toughness.

“It’s not easy playing in this environment, especially when the stakes are so high,” he said. “But I’ve got a group of guys who are mature beyond their years. They’ve played in big games, and they know how to keep their composure. We’ve been through adversity together, and I think that really showed tonight. The key is staying calm, executing the game plan, and trusting each other. We’ve preached that all season, and it’s paying off now.”

In this response, Coach Young alluded to the mental and emotional strength that his team had developed over the course of the season. It was clear that BYU’s success was not just about skill and talent; it was about how the players had learned to manage pressure and perform under the bright lights of the NCAA Tournament.

On the Significance of the Win for BYU’s Program

As the press conference continued, Coach Young was asked about the importance of the victory for BYU’s basketball program. The win over Wisconsin was not only a huge upset but also a potential turning point for BYU, a program that had been looking to break through in the tournament.

“This win is huge for our program,” Coach Young said, his voice full of pride. “We’ve been working hard to get to this point, and this is a big moment for BYU basketball. I know how much this program means to the community, to the alumni, and to the fans. But this win isn’t just for us—this is for the entire BYU family. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but tonight we celebrate this moment. We’ve earned it.”

For Coach Young, the victory over Wisconsin was a testament to the growth of the program under his leadership. It validated the hard work of the players, the coaching staff, and everyone involved with the program. It was a statement that BYU was capable of competing with some of the best teams in college basketball, and that the future was bright for the Cougars.

On Moving Forward

Despite the excitement of the win, Coach Young knew that the team’s journey was far from over. The Cougars still had a long road ahead of them, and the focus had to remain on the task at hand.

“We’re not done yet,” Coach Young said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “We’ve got more games to play. Our next opponent is going to be just as tough, if not tougher, and we’ve got to be ready. But for now, we’ll enjoy this win and appreciate what we’ve accomplished. We’ve earned the right to keep playing, and that’s all we can ask for.”

Coach Young’s words reflected the balance between celebration and focus. While the victory over Wisconsin was a monumental achievement, the next game was just as important, and the Cougars had to remain hungry and disciplined if they were to continue their tournament run.