Wisconsin coach Greg Gard updated the status of Badgers senior guard Max Klesmit ahead of the team’s Tuesday night contest against Ohio State:
“He practiced somewhat [on Sunday], and he was back going pretty much full blast today,” Gard told the assembled media after Monday’s practice. “We’ll see how he responds, but I think he’s feeling better and better every day.”
The progress is significant considering Klesmit did not play during the Badgers’ win over Minnesota on Friday.
The Wisconsin native suffered the right ankle injury with roughly 10 minutes remaining in the Badgers’ 75-63 win over Rutgers on Jan. 6. After launching a three-point attempt after the whistle, Klesmit landed awkwardly on the foot of Rutgers guard Jeremiah Williams and exited the game.
Through 15 games, the 6-foot-4 guard is averaging 30.3 minutes, 10.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and three assists on 33.1% shooting. Veteran guard Kamari McGee excelled in his absence against Minnesota, delivering a career-best 15 points in 33 minutes.
UW built a 30-point edge against the Golden Gophers, so any real rotation changes remain to be seen. Forwards Xavier Amos and Markus Ilver each saw an uptick in minutes as Wisconsin dominated the second half.
Gard may need Klesmit as a wing defender against a versatile Buckeyes squad on Tuesday. If he’s unavailable, McGee figures to step into the starting role once more with added minutes for bench goard Jack Janicki.
The Badgers face off against the Buckeyes at 9 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday. They then go on their first in-conference West Coast road trip for matchups against USC and UCLA
