The injury concern for Max Klesmit and the Wisconsin Badgers has become a much bigger point of emphasis than when he went down with a leg injury. Yes, many realized his impact before, but it took Wisconsin struggling through the final three games, which included two losses, to understand the brevity of this team without Klesmit.
The defense isn't as strong nor does the ball move in and out of the lane as efficiently. There also may be a correlation with John Tonje's drop-off and Max Klesmit's injury. As a small sample size, the four games before Klesmit was injured, Tonje scored 22, 32, 31, 22 in each game. Klemsit left the Washington game, and Tonje from that game, to now has scored 13, 11, 18, 13 on some pretty poor shooting. Is there a correlation? It would be a wild coincidence if not.
Wisconsin basketball on Instagram indicates that Max Klesmit is back from injury.
However, there's some good news for Max Klesmit and Wisconsin Basketball. Yesterday, the Wisconsin basketball Instagram page posted a picture of Klesmit practicing, with the caption, "It's good to have you back, Max!"
This is huge news for the basketball program as they take on their first Big Ten Tournament game on Thursday. The Badgers get the winner between No. 12 Minnesota Golden Gophers and the No. 13 Northwestern Wildcats. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network sometime around 1:30 pm, depending on the conclusion of the game prior.
Klesmit wasn't able to play against Minnesota in either contest this season but played 27 minutes against Northwestern scoring 11 points. Klesmit would love to be able to take on the Golden Gophers one final time in his career.
Wisconsin basketball still hasn't released any news on Nolan Winter's injury from the last game. Something happened to his shoulder/arm after a put-back dunk.