As the NCAA Tournament heats up, Wisconsin is riding a wave of momentum. The Badgers wrapped up their regular season with three consecutive wins and added two more in the Big Ten Tournament before narrowly falling to top-seeded Michigan in a nail-biter, 68-65. This team is clicking on all cylinders, playing cohesive basketball, and brimming with confidence as they gear up for a potential deep run.
A key storyline heading into the tournament is the health of standout forward Nolan Winter and backup guard Jack Janicki. Just a day before Wisconsin's tournament debut, Coach Gard provided updates on their statuses.
"Nolan, yes, I do expect him to be available. He was full go yesterday in practice.
I assume he'll be the same today," Gard shared. "And Jack, he did more yesterday, but it was all non-contact.
I assume Jack is still questionable for tomorrow, if not out. He has not been in a full practice yet.
But Nolan is full go."
Janicki has been sidelined since an encounter with Ohio State about a month ago, while Winter has been absent for the last four games, including the Big Ten Tournament. However, during a practice session open to the public and media, Winter looked sharp and even showcased some athleticism with a couple of dunks during non-contact drills.
Wisconsin has earned a five seed and is set to face 12th-seeded High Point in Portland. The game tips off at 12:50 PM Central Time, 10:50 AM local time out West. Initially opening as 12.5-point favorites, the line has settled around 10 points, indicating a competitive matchup ahead.
With Winter likely back on the court and the team in high spirits, Wisconsin fans have plenty to be excited about as the tournament action unfolds.