Wisconsin basketball resumes Big Ten Conference play tonight. After an extended break, the Wisconsin Badgers (9-3, 1-0 Big Ten) welcome the Iowa Hawkeyes (8-5, 0-2 Big Ten) to the Kohl Center. UW has not played since a December 22nd victory over Chicago State. One of Badgers head coach Greg Gard’s key players was injured in that victory, however.
Wisconsin Basketball PG Chucky Hepburn “Questionable” for Game Against Iowa
Ahead of the 6:00 PM CST tipoff, Wisconsin Assistant Director of Brand Communications Brandon Harrison shared on the website formerly called Twitter that Chucky Hepburn is “questionable” for tonight’s game.
Status update for @BadgerMBB
January 2 | vs. Iowa | 6 PM (CT)Chucky Hepburn – Questionable pic.twitter.com/wmozN5Bfin
— brandon harrison (@brandonharrison) January 2, 2024
The Badgers starting point guard suffered an apparent groin injury in the victory over Chicago State. After forcing a turnover, Hepburn quickly turned up-court before falling to the ground. He was helped off the court and into the locker room by UW’s athletic training staff. Although Hepburn returned to the bench in uniform, he did not play after sustaining the injury.
In his post-game press conference, Gard downplayed the junior’s injury. Hepburn “was walking around in the locker room afterward,” Gard said. “I’m sure he’ll be sore for a little bit, but he feels he’s going to be fine.”
Wisconsin Badgers Will Likely Play Point Guard by Committee
Hepburn is a key piece for UW. He is a true point guard and is uniquely adept at running Gard’s offense. He currently leads the team in assists with 3.9 per game – nearly double the second-highest figure on the roster. When not setting up his teammates, the Nebraska native boasts his own scoring touch, adding in nine points per game.
Wisconsin will likely rely on more than one player to step up in Hepburn’s absence if he is unable to play. After Hepburn exited the game against Chicago State, fellow junior Max Klesmit saw significant minutes running the point. When Klesmit was not running the offense, Kamari McGee did so. Both Klesmit and McGee serve their roles as backup point guards well, but they are certainly downgrades from Hepburn at the position.
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