Madison, WI – Wisconsin Badgers fans received a welcome update Friday regarding forward Nolan Winter, who sustained an ankle injury during Wednesday’s 78-45 victory over Maryland. Initial concerns surrounding the severity of the injury have been eased, with the team announcing Winter is now considered day-to-day.
The injury occurred with 7:01 remaining in the second half as Winter landed awkwardly after a putback basket. He immediately grabbed at his ankle and required assistance from trainers to exit the court. The sight of the junior forward being helped off the court understandably caused worry among fans and teammates, especially with the Substantial Ten Tournament and potential NCAA Tournament appearances looming.
Head coach Greg Gard initially offered a cautious assessment following the game, stating, “We’ll know more tomorrow. Early indications, hopefully, we avoided the worst,” according to reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “We’ll see where everything, with the testing, goes tomorrow, the evaluation goes tomorrow. We’ll know more in 24 hours or so.”
Those initial hopes appear to have been realized. According to a team spokesperson and reported by college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, Winter’s injury is an ankle sprain, and he is currently listed as day-to-day. This is a significant relief for the Badgers, who rely heavily on Winter’s contributions.
Wisconsin’s Nolan Winter (lower body) is day-to-day, per a school spokesman.Suffered the injury last night against Maryland.Averages 13.3 PPG and 8.6 RPG.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 5, 2026
Winter’s Impact on the Badgers
Winter has been a key player for Wisconsin this season, averaging 13.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 57% from the field. His absence would undoubtedly create a challenge for the Badgers, particularly in the frontcourt. Gard acknowledged the team’s limited depth in that area, noting that Austin Rapp and Aleksas Bieliauskas have shown promise, but Winter’s experience and production are difficult to replace.
“We’ve played different lineups,” Gard said after the Maryland game. “We’ve played small ball. We did some of that tonight. I believe Bieliauskas has gotten better. I think, again, the experience of Will [Garlock] as a true five. So we’ll see where we’re at tomorrow and then just take the best path forward.”
Looking Ahead
The Badgers (21-9, 13-6 Big Ten) conclude their regular season schedule this weekend with a game against Purdue. While Winter’s status for that contest remains uncertain, the day-to-day designation suggests he hasn’t been ruled out. More importantly, the quick diagnosis and positive outlook offer hope that he will be available for the upcoming Big Ten Tournament and, potentially, a run in the NCAA Tournament.
Even if Winter is forced to miss the game against Purdue, the team can take solace in the fact that his injury doesn’t appear to be long-term. Wisconsin’s success in March hinges on a healthy roster, and the latest update on Nolan Winter is undoubtedly good news for Badger fans.
What do you think about Wisconsin’s chances in the Big Ten Tournament with or without Winter? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
