The Wisconsin Badgers recently faced a tough challenge on the road, falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes without one of their key players, sophomore forward Austin Rapp. The absence of Rapp, sidelined by illness, was felt at the Value City Arena in Columbus.
Head coach Greg Gard addressed Rapp's situation, noting the impact of the "nasty" flu that has kept the forward out of action for two games in a span of just over a week. Gard's update highlighted the difficulty Rapp has faced in overcoming the illness.
Rapp's ability to stretch the floor as a big man could have been a game-changer for the Badgers against Ohio State. His presence was notably missed, as his shooting prowess adds a valuable dimension to Wisconsin's offense. Since transferring from the Portland Pilots, Rapp has shown his potential, particularly in recent matchups against top-ranked teams like Illinois and Michigan State, where he notched 25 points and hit 50% of his shots from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, the Badgers are hopeful Rapp will be ready to return for their upcoming home game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Kohl Center in Madison. After the tough 86-69 loss to the Buckeyes, Wisconsin is eager to bounce back, and having Rapp back in the lineup could be a crucial factor in their quest for redemption.