Forward Nolan Winter has missed the last three games for the Badgers with an ankle injury. Despite that, Wisconsin is 3-0 in those games and now finds themselves in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
When the injury initially happened, head coach Greg Gard had said that Winter would "definitely" be available for the NCAA Tournament. And while the Badgers don't know if they'll play on Thursday or Friday, it's safe to say that regardless, they expect Winter to be ready to go within the next few days.
So now the question becomes, do the Badgers sit him to make sure he's close to 100% for the NCAA Tournament, or maybe play him at 75-80% for a chance at a Big Ten Tournament crown? The answer should be an easy one of Gard and the Badgers.
Can Wisconsin take down Michigan without Nolan Winter?
Wisconsin is in a bit of a tight spot with Winter, because if they rush him back and he reaggravates the ankle before the NCAA Tournament, they'd never hear the end of it from fans. On the flip side, if they sit him, they risk a chance at Big Ten Tournament Championship, and Winter being rusty for the NCAA Tourney. By the time the Badgers play, it will have been two weeks since Winter suited up.
In all likelihood, the Badgers keep Winter out at least through the Michigan game. If they somehow pull off the upset, the chance he suits up for the championship becomes much more likely. Gard knows what's at stake in both tournaments, and it's probable that Winter's minutes are limited regardless of when he returns to action. So, do the Badgers think they can beat Michigan without him? They have to.
By holding Winter out one more game, Wisconsin gets the best of both worlds. It would be hard to fault the team for sending Winter out in a Big Ten Championship even he does risk re-injury, and it gives him a chance to shake off the rust before the Big Dance. Playing Winter against Michigan feels too early, though, and with the way John Blackwell and Nick Boyd have been playing they might shock the world again.