MADISON – Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter continues officially to be “day-to-day” with his lower-body injury, but his return appears to be closer on the horizon.
“He’s trying to be ready for this week and definitely will be ready by the NCAA Tournament,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. “We’re not rushing him back and doing anything crazy, knowing he’ll be ready to rock by the next week for sure.”
Gard also expressed optimism about Winter’s recovery after the team’s March 7 win over Purdue, saying that UW’s medical staff has been “very satisfied with where he’s at in terms of his progress each day.”
Winter suffered the injury in the second half of Wisconsin’s 33-point win over Maryland on March 4. He was helped off the court while appearing to not put any weight on his left side. Winter has averaged 13.3 points and 8.6 rebounds and led a frontcourt that does not necessarily have an abundance of depth.
Wisconsin guard Jack Janicki’s timeline to return from wrist surgery does not appear to be as definitive. Janicki suffered the injury in the Badgers’ Feb. 17 loss to Ohio State and had a procedure on it later that week. He has been wearing a brace on his left wrist.
“He had another evaluation today,” Gard said. “It looks really good. I think he meets with his doctor again, I think, early next week. So potentially by the NCAA Tournament, there could be a possibility with him there, too.”
The Badgers have used a smaller rotation in the absence of Winter and Janicki, as only six players were on the floor for 10-plus minutes in the March 7 win over Purdue. UW’s first game in the Big Ten Tournament will be March 12 against the winner of 12th-seeded Washington and 13th-seeded USC.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin coach Greg Gard gives injury updates on Nolan Winter, Jack Janicki
Reporting by John Steppe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
