The Wisconsin Badgers just endured what might go down as their roughest half of basketball in the Greg Gard era - and not just because the shots weren’t falling. Facing Minnesota, Wisconsin couldn’t buy a bucket, stringing together a first half that was as frustrating as it was uncharacteristic.
But the cold shooting wasn’t the only concern. The bigger worry came when freshman center Aleksas Bieliauskas limped off the court with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
It didn’t take long for the Badgers to label it a “lower body injury” and list him as questionable to return. But anyone watching the play could see it - Bieliauskas rolled his ankle, and it didn’t look great in the moment. He was briefly spotted trying to stay loose on a stationary bike, but eventually made his way down the tunnel with the training staff and didn’t return to the floor.
Austin Rapp stepped in to start the second half, and while the Badgers tried to regroup, the absence of Bieliauskas was noticeable. The freshman big has been carving out a meaningful role this season, and losing him - even temporarily - shifts the frontcourt rotation in a major way.
Later in the game, Bieliauskas did make his way back to the bench, but his right ankle was in a walking boot. That’s not necessarily a red flag - boots are often used as a precaution while the medical staff waits on imaging to assess the full extent of an injury. What it does tell us is that the team is being careful, and that any return to the court will depend on how the ankle responds in the coming days.
The fact that he wasn’t rushed to the locker room or taken for immediate further evaluation is a mildly encouraging sign. It suggests the injury, while concerning, may not be severe. Still, the Badgers will be holding their breath as they await more clarity - likely from Greg Gard’s postgame comments or a follow-up from the training staff.
Looking ahead, the big question is whether Bieliauskas will be available for Saturday’s matchup against Ohio State. If he’s not ready, Gard will have a decision to make: stick with Rapp in the starting five or turn to Will Garlock for more size and interior presence. Either way, the Badgers will need someone to step up and fill that void, especially with Big Ten play heating up.
For now, the hope is that the boot is just precautionary, the swelling stays down, and Bieliauskas can get back on the floor sooner rather than later. Wisconsin’s offense has had its ups and downs this season, but losing a key piece in the frontcourt could be a bigger hurdle than a cold shooting night - especially if the Badgers want to stay competitive in the conference race.