The Wisconsin Badgers took on the Central Michigan Chippewas, one of their final two non-conference games of the season. The Badgers looked good from start to finish, getting an 88-61 victory in a much-needed reset after losing to Villanova only a few days ago. The bad news is, John Blackwell didn't even suit up for the game, and Nolan Winter couldn't finish. Greg Gard gave a *** update on both of his star players.
Blackwell didn't even suit up, but Winter left the game in obvious pain around his ankle or foot and wasn't seen again except for a short moment late in the game when he was peering out of the tunnel watching his team finish off the game. In the picture below, his right foot is wrapped without a shoe, and ice appears beneath the wrap. He didn't appear to need any other assistance.
Nolan Winter exited with an apparent lower-body injury with 5:47 remaining. He has yet to return to the bench, but he's now watching from the #Badgers' tunnel. pic.twitter.com/K0WN6WCKDw
— Kedrick Stumbris (@KedrickStumbris) December 23, 2025
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard says John Blackwell 'will be fine'
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After the game, Greg Gard dropped updates on both of his stars. He started with John Blackwell, in which he simply said, "he will be fine." Which is about as hopeful and optimistic as you can get. It seems as if keeping him out was more precautionary than anything. It also gave Hayden Jones a chance to start and get valuable minutes.
As for Nolan Winter, Gard said that Winter was walking around after the game, and things are looking positive there. Winter even said that he is fine and will be good to go.
The Badgers do have one more Quad-4 game before they hit the gauntlet of Big Ten conference play. Don't be surprised if one or both of them sit out that game against Milwaukee for precautionary reasons. Even though the update was optimistic, there's no need to push a player in a game that can be one without one or both.