Wisconsin basketball head coach Greg Gard updated the statuses of Max Klesmit and Nolan Winter following the Badgers’ 75-63 win over Rutgers on Monday.
Klesmit, who finished the game with three points on one-of-five shooting in 24 minutes of action, went down with a right ankle injury near the 10-minute mark of the second half. The injury occurred as he attempted a three-pointer and landed on the foot of Rutgers’ Jeremiah Williams near the right wing.
“I haven’t talked to the trainer yet, but he had his shoe back on walking around when he was back in the locker room,” Gard said after the contest. “He claims he’ll be okay. He’s a tough kid. So we’ll get day off here and tomorrow and in a couple days here, get ready for Minnesota.”
While the Badgers didn’t need to rely on Klesmit’s offensive capabilities against the Scarlet Knights, his presence as a two-way player in UW’s starting five is key going forward. His status will be worth monitoring before the team’s Jan. 10 game against Minnesota.
Winter, meanwhile, was dealing with a cut on his hand before Gard elected to pull him out for Steven Crowl for the remainder of the second half.
“[Winter] had cut [his hand], so I just pulled him out because it was bleeding,” Gard said. “I knew we couldn’t get that stop by the time that we had to sub in… So I just made the quick sub. And it was about time for Steve to come back in, anyway.”
Winter’s cut does not appear as if it will jeopardize his availability going forward. In 23 minutes, he logged five points and six rebounds.