Kobe King announced on Wednesday afternoon that he was leaving the Wisconsin Badgers basketball program.
In an Instagram post, King explained his decision, which came two days after the 6-4 sophomore guard from La Crosse did not play against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
A source told Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that King was frustrated with his role in the program. That sourcing and reportage were correct. King clearly did not want to create a prolonged conflict. He stepped away from the team before this Saturday’s crucial home game against Michigan State:
The departure of King from the program leaves an already limited team in need of more scoring options. King was the second-leading scorer on the team behind Nate Reuvers. King averaged 10 points per game. King was third on the team in minutes played and assists per game. He was the second-best shooter in the starting five, just behind Reuvers.
Wisconsin did not suffer on defense without King against Iowa. The Badgers held Iowa to 3-of-20 shooting from 3-point range. Wisconsin’s guards defended the perimeter quite well. Wisconsin missed King’s offense. The Badgers went cold down the stretch and had only two players score more than eight points, none more than D’Mitrik Trice’s 16.
It has been challenging enough for Wisconsin to score this season. Now that challenge figures to become even more difficult, although this news might mean that Greg Gard has to rely more on his offense and a little less on his defense. This could mean that Micah Potter will get more minutes and that Gard might want to play games in the high 60s instead of the high 50s, where the Badgers have lived most of the season.
At any rate, we will find out how Gard adjusts against Michigan State. More on that game in the coming days at Badgers Wire.