‘He’s a competitor’: Max Klesmit battling through slump for Wisconsin basketball
Max Klesmit's 18-point effort helped Wisconsin basketball beat USC on the road. Afterward, Greg Gard praised his "toughness and grit" amid his slump.
Despite battling a season-long shooting slump, senior guard Max Klesmit delivered a vintage performance when the Wisconsin basketball team needed it most, helping lead the Badgers to an 84-69 road win over USC.
Klesmit poured in 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including two triples, while adding four assists, two rebounds, and a pair of steals in 27 minutes. It marked the 6-foot-4 guard's first game scoring in double figures since he scored 11 in an 83-74 win over Butler on Dec. 14.
While Klesmit’s scoring has been inconsistent at best this season, performances like this one serve as a reminder of the offensive spark he’s capable of providing. His ability to rediscover that touch could have a significant impact on a team that’s already scoring at a high level.
Klesmit’s two made three-pointers against the Trojans also moved him past Sam Dekker into 19th place on Wisconsin’s all-time 3-point list with 143 career makes.
“It feels good to see the ball go through the hoop, but it’s a credit to these guys,“ said Klesmit. “All 16 dudes in the locker room pumping me up, keeping me level-headed each and every day. I think the good thing is how we compete against each other and how we get the best out of each other in practice. We’ve got a great sense of humor and camaraderie off the court.”
The Badgers as a whole have been lighting it up offensively this season, averaging 82.4 points per game—their highest scoring average since 1970-71. Ranked 12th in adjusted offensive efficiency according to KenPom, Wisconsin’s offensive system has been impressive, even with one of its top shooters struggling to find his rhythm.
The Neenah (Wis.) native, who has started 86 games for the Badgers since arriving in Madison, saw his streak of 67 consecutive starts snapped earlier this season due to an ankle injury suffered against Rutgers. Since Klesmit’s return to the lineup, Greg Gard has given him every opportunity to work through his struggles, playing 57 total minutes in the past two games.
Yet, even with his shooting percentages having dipped to a career-low 34.2% from the field and 28.4% from beyond the arc—Klesmit has still found ways to make an impact. If water finds its level and his shooting percentages climb closer to his career averages of 42.7% from the field and 35.6% from three, there’s no telling how high this team’s offensive ceiling could be.
Despite his shooting struggles, Klesmit leads the team in assists (50), has a career-high assist percentage (16.8), and paces Wisconsin in steals with a team-high (19). His leadership and ability to impact the game on both ends have made him an invaluable piece in coach Gard’s rotation.
“The key with anybody when they struggle is to keep playing hard. You keep playing hard. You’ll be amazed how many easy buckets come to you when you just play hard." Gard said. "And he [Klesmit] has. He hasn’t not played hard.
"There’s a point in time when he needed to step up and be ready to deliver… He’s a competitor. He’s a battler. We’ve always had guys like that in our program over the course of the 25 years that have some toughness to them and grit that help you win games in more ways than just their individual scoring. He’s done that, and today, he found the bucket a little bit.”
Klesmit’s effort against USC highlights the veteran's ability to step up and give the team what it needs when it matters most, a trait that will be critical as Wisconsin navigates the grind of Big Ten play. If Klesmit can build on this outing, the Badgers will continue to be a tough draw for any opponent.
The No. 24 Badgers (15-3, 5-2) will return to action on Jan. 21, facing UCLA (12-6, 3-4) at Pauley Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 8:30 pm CT on Peacock.
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