True freshman Zach Kinziger hadn't played a single minute all season leading up the Badgers' game against Central Michigan. But surprisingly, head coach Greg Gard unleashed the young guard, and playd him 13 minutes in the win.
It was quite the shock for fans watching to see the freshman check in. But after the game, Gard addressed why he waited until now to burn Kinziger's redshirt.
"I don't look at it as burning a redshirt," he said. "From the time we got back from San Diego, as practices have unfolded, how competitive he is, he's a little bulldog defensively...he earnerd his way regardless of where anyone else was."
Kinziger impresses in first action of the year
Kinziger finished with six points on 2-for-4 shooting from three. He added a rebound and two assists in 13 minutes off the bench. But it's what Kinziger does that doesn't appear on the stat sheet that impresses Gard the most.
"The kid's a tough sucker," said Gard. "I love how he plays. He's a true Badger through and through. He brings toughness and some energy and he's a fierce competitor. We can never have enough of that."
So while it's a bit unusual that Kinziger sat for the first 11 games and is now getting some action, it couldn't have come at a better time. The Badgers had been looking for some spark off the bench, and Kinziger certainly delivered.
And it's not just Gard who has taken notice, fellow teammate Braeden Carrington added that he thinks Kinziger could start with the way he's been practicing.
“In practice, he’s competing hard,” said Carrington. “He proved he can hold his own against us. Honestly, you see what he’s doing in there, he should be a starter. He’s putting up 20 points in scout. He’s really doing his thing."