Wisconsin will be without a key piece of its backcourt when it takes on No. 8 Michigan State on Sunday. Senior guard Max Klesmit has been ruled out for the Badgers’ road matchup at the Breslin Center, a tough blow as the team looks to continue its strong push through Big Ten play.
Klesmit’s absence leaves a significant hole in the rotation, forcing Wisconsin to rely on other key contributors to advance. With the Badgers fighting for positioning in the conference standings and the Spartans surging at the right time, Sunday’s game could have significant implications for both teams as the regular season winds down.
Max Klesmit Injury Update
Klesmit exited in Wisconsin’s win over Washington earlier in the week, logging just five minutes before being sidelined with a lower-body injury. The veteran guard has been dealing with lingering effects from a sprained ankle suffered earlier this season, and head coach Greg Gard confirmed that Klesmit is still working his way back to full strength.
Wisconsin’s Max Klesmit (lower body) is OUT for today’s game against Michigan State, per a school spokesman.
Averages 9.7 PPG.
Only played five minutes earlier in the week against Washington.
1:30 PM ET on CBS.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 2, 2025
The absence of Klesmit, averaging 9.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and a team-high 2.7 assists per game, forces Wisconsin to adjust both ends of the floor. Senior guard Kamari McGee will step into the starting lineup, while Jack Janicki is expected to see increased minutes off the bench.
How Max Klesmit’s Absence Will Impact Wisconsin
Beyond the box score, Klesmit brings a steady presence to the Badgers’ lineup. However, his shooting numbers have taken a dip this season. He’s hitting just 35% from the field and 28.8% from three, a steep drop from the 39.8% clip he posted from deep last year.
With Klesmit out, Wisconsin will need a total team effort to keep pace with Michigan State, one of the Big Ten’s top teams. Guards John Blackwell and John Tonje will be tasked with carrying the scoring load against a Spartans defense that has been suffocating opponents during its four-game winning streak.
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Michigan State enters the matchup tied for first place in the Big Ten standings, riding the momentum of back-to-back road wins against Michigan and Maryland. The Spartans’ latest victory came thrillingly, with Tre Holloman sinking a buzzer-beater to steal a win from the Terrapins.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, is coming off a statement win over Washington and has been one of the hottest teams in the conference. The Badgers have won six of their last seven games, positioning themselves as a legitimate contender heading into the postseason.
Tip-off from the Breslin Center is set for 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the game airing on CBS.
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