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The No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers bench has been a little shorter than usual for the past two games as senior backup point guard Trevor Anderson has missed both contests with an upper body injury. During media availability on Wednesday, Gard noted that Anderson is basically day-to-day currently: “He (Anderson) did some non-contact stuff today. We’ll see how it goes through the week what he’s allowed to do.”
#Badgers coach Greg Gard, on his radio show, sounded cautiously optimistic Trevor Anderson could be back for ILL on Saturday. Illini play Tuesday and Thursday before facing UW Saturday. UW gets time to rest/prepare.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) February 23, 2021
Anderson, who missed the games against Northwestern and Iowa, is shooting 60% (12-of-20) from three-point range this season and usually provides a steady hand leading the team while D’Mitrik Trice catches a breather on the bench. While Brad Davison is capable of handling the ball, he does better off the ball, and getting Anderson back healthy for the stretch run will be important for UW’s rotation.
True freshman Ben Carlson hasn’t played in a game since Dec. 15 against Loyola Chicago and hasn’t played meaningful minutes in one since Dec. 4 against Marquette. The big man has been out since mid-December with an upper body injury and hasn’t been able to participate in any contact drills since then, according to Gard.
Greg Gard said that Ben Carlson has yet to return to practice but says that he is progressing. Didn’t really give a timetable for his return but says that he checks in with the medical staff about the freshman. #Badgers
— Raul Vazquez (@RaulV45) February 24, 2021
Gard went on to mention that Carlson is progressing, but not nearly enough to be back on the court, “I think there’s been progression but not to the point where he’s returned to a full practice.”
Just sort of reading between the lines from any time that Gard has spoken about Carlson, I wouldn’t expect to see him back on the court this season. Anderson’s prognosis appears far more positive and hopefully, with the week off, he’ll be able to suit up on Saturday against the Illini.