MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin senior forward Mike Bruesewitz sustained a laceration to his lower right leg during practice on Tuesday, the school's sports medicine staff announced. He underwent successful surgery Tuesday night and has already begun rehabilitation.
Bruesewitz injured his leg after awkwardly coming in contact with the weighted structure that holds up the basket while diving out of bounds. He is expected to be out four to six weeks.
The injury is a significant early-season blow to the Badgers, who return four of five starters from their Sweet 16 team, including the entire frontcourt of Bruesewitz, forward Ryan Evans and center Jared Berggren. If Bruesewitz misses game action, Wisconsin has the talent necessary to play a three-guard lineup instead. Highly touted freshman Sam Dekker, a 6-foot-7 forward, also could get minutes.
Bruesewitz, a native of St. Paul, Minn., has appeared in 98 career games with 49 starts. Last season, he started all 36 games for the Badgers and averaged 5.6 points and 5.1 rebounds while playing 25.5 minutes per game.
Wisconsin plays its first preseason game Nov. 7 against UW-Oshkosh. The Badgers open the regular season Nov. 11 against Southeastern Louisiana.
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