Wisconsin Basketball Shares Encouraging Injury Update for Starter

Wisconsin basketball closed its regular season on Sunday in West Lafayette. The Badgers (19-12, 11-9 Big Ten) fell to the Purdue Boilermakers 78-70. After a disappointing finish, UW head coach Greg Gard is staring down the Big Ten Tournament. After a fifth-place finish in the conference standings, Wisconsin will begin postseason play on Thursday against Rutgers or Maryland.

Before the tournament begins, the Badgers must determine the availability of a key player. One Wisconsin starter did not participate in practice on Tuesday.

Wisconsin Basketball Point Guard Chucky Hepburn’s Injury Status

Jan 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn (23) looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Chucky Hepburn suffered an injury in the closing minutes of Wisconsin’s loss to Purdue. On a defensive possession, the Badgers starting point guard was hit in the head. As play continued, the junior fell to the floor, holding his head. When play stopped and Hepburn stood up, he was bleeding from his forehead and did not return to game action.

At the risk of mixing metaphors, Hepburn’s unexpected exit added insult to injury. The junior had been riding a stretch of impressive play of late, including six assists in two of his last three outings. Against Purdue, however, the Nebraska native only managed two points, three rebounds, and one assist with a matching turnover. The 1-of-7 shooting performance, including 0-of-4 from beyond the three-point line, was his worst shooting performance in a month since going o-of-4 from the field at Rutgers.

Chucky had been playing his best basketball over the last 6 games leading into Purdue…

We did not get the game we needed from him…

Hopefully, it was a speed bump, and we'll continue to see February Chucky in the B1G & NCAA Tournament!!#Badgers pic.twitter.com/656BcIFKAN

— Gard Your Fickell (@GardYourFickell) March 13, 2024

Badgers Official Provides Chucky Hepburn Injury Update

Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) attempts a three-point shot over Rutgers guard Noah Fernandes (2) during the second half of their game Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Rutgers 78-66.

Following the injury, Hepburn did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. Despite the apparent setback, he is expected to play in Wisconsin basketball’s Big Ten Tournament opener on Thursday.

This is the second time Hepburn has left a game with an injury this season. In December, the Big Ten All-Defensive Team honoree exited with a “lower-body” injury after logging 21 minutes in a victory over Chicago State. He started Wisconsin’s next game 11 days later. The All-Big Ten Honorable Mention has not missed a game in his three seasons in Madison.

READ MORE: Wisconsin Basketball Straddling Seed-Line in Latest Bracketology

Although his scoring is down, Hepburn has been a key piece to this Wisconsin basketball team. After leading the Badgers with 12.2 points per game last season, his scoring output is down to 8.5 PPG. From a playmaking standpoint, however, his average is up nearly one full assist to 3.7 per game. One of the best defenders in the conference, his average of 2.1 steals leads UW’s roster, and according to Kenpom, he ranks second in the Big Ten in steal rate.

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