The Wisconsin Badgers held a media availability after practice on Tuesday ahead of the Big Ten Tournament. Gard talked about many things coming into the postseason for the Badgers, but one topic of concern was the injury status of two of his starters: Nolan Winter and Max Klesmit. In many ways, the final games of the season would have played out differently had Gard been able to rely on a healthy Klesmit and let Winter play in those final minutes against Penn State.
Here's what he said about each of those players:
Max Klesmit Injury Update
The players came to the podium before Gard, and Klesmit spoke about feeling good and ready to go. If the Badgers play four games in the Big Ten Tournament, Klesmit said he would play all four.
"He got cleared yesterday, so he practiced yesterday and then today. He wasn't cleared for Saturday to play, I wasn't holding him out or anything like that. As soon as he got cleared he was going to go... He will be ready to go Thursday. "Greg Gard
He called Klesmit a big, important piece for this team. "When you pull one of those cogs out, it has an impact." He notes that Jack Janicki has gotten better in his absence, but when they are fully healthy, "we are a good team."
Nolan Winter Injury Update
There's some concern with Nolan Winter as his injury was a bit more weird. He did something to his arm/shoulder in a put-back dunk against Penn State. He left the game and came back to the bench with some sort of brace or wrap under his jersey. He went back in but Gard said after the game, he didn't look right and left him on the bench for the remainder.
When asked about his status, Gard cleared some of it up but left some TBD.
"He was back a little bit yesterday. He was in and out today, he was back though and said he feels good. The plan is that he will be back and ready to go. "Greg Gard