Wisconsin fans like to refer to The RAC (Jersey Mike's Arena) as a house of horrors. It has provided both frustrating losses and injuries to key players over the years; escaping it injury-free is half the battle, and the other half is escaping with a win. Wisconsin was able to do the latter, while the former remains to be seen. Two players had to be subbed out due to injury: Max Klesmit and Nolan Winter.
Jersey Mike's Arena (aka The RAC) has been House of Horror for Badgers dating back to Traevon Jackson injury. Remains to be seen health status of Max Klesmit and Nolan Winter who didn't finish on the floor. UW never trailed in handing Rutgers 1st home loss in 8 games this season.
— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) January 7, 2025
Greg Gard, after the game, was not concerned with either injury as a long term problem.
The good news is that Gard didn't seem to be worried about either injury after the game. He said that Winter only had a cut on his hand that needed to be bandaged, and he will be fine for the weekend, which is great news. Winter was the one that most people were less worried about anyway, as his injury didn't appear on the floor all severe. It was Klesmit who had a more alarming injury.
Klesmit clearly buckled in pain during the game and lay on the floor as trainers helped him. There were various points in the game where you could see him walking around and what appeared to be trying to test it or get it loose. He never came back in the game.
""I haven't talked to the trainer yet, but [Klesmit] had his shoe back on walking around when he was back in the locker room. So he claims he'll be okay. He's a tough kid. So we'll get a day off here and tomorrow, and in a couple of days here, get ready for Minnesota.""Gard
Klesmit was seen both in a boot after the game and in his shoes, as it appears there may be some working it out happening by the trainers.
Gard didn’t have much concern in the press conference. Caught Max walking with a boot on his right foot as he left the locker room, but Gard said Klesmit said he’ll be “fine.” Will post a quote when we finish interviews. https://t.co/FbT9MbnQy2
— Michael McCleary (@MikeJMcCleary) January 7, 2025
Wisconsin takes on Minnesota on Friday, and Winter is good to go, and we will have to remain in our seats to see what happens with Klesmit, but Gard wasn't overly concerned after the game.