Wisconsin Basketball Provides Encouraging Update on Connor Essegian

Greg Gard and the University of Wisconsin basketball team envisioned sophomore shooting guard Connor Essegian playing a significant role in the Badgers’ offensive plans coming off the bench.

Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case thus far due to suffering a back injury during a collision just five minutes into his debut in the season opener against Arkansas State.

The fallout has led to a more comprehensive recovery than initially anticipated — and an uneven role to begin 2023-24.

Wisconsin Basketball Shooting Guard Connor Essegian is Finally Healthy

The back injury has limited Connor Essegian and his ability to make an impact for Wisconsin basketball — limiting him to just 60 total minutes in the Badgers’ first seven games.

As it stands, the 6-foot-4 wing averages 3.0 points per game, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.4 assists on 32% shooting from the field and just 18.8% from beyond the arc.

“Backs are just tough,” Essegian told reporters on Thursday. “It didn’t get back to full until a couple of nights ago.”

Coach Gard had previously discussed the area holding Essegian back from extended playing time. But the Fort Meyers Tip-Off potentially served as a turning point for the Indiana native.

Recent games have seen an uptick in playing time, marked by season-high minutes (13 against SMU and 14 against Western Illinois).

Coach Gard acknowledged that Essegian is now healthy and emphasized his need to regain rhythm — which can only come from working his way back into the mix.

Wisconsin basketball will need to lean on the former All-Big Ten freshman team standout for added offensive firepower off the bench. However, the emergence of freshman combo guard John Blackwell and junior point guard Karmari McGee has allowed the Badgers to weather this early season injury.

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