Wisconsin loses starting PG Gasser to ACL injury
By Eric AngevineOct 27, 2012, 8:08 PM EDT
Just two days ago, Bo Ryan named Josh Gasser his starting point guard for the season.
Today, he lost Gasser for the season.
The junior suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament Saturday morning, and will undergo an evaluation this week. As hopeful as the word "evaluation" sounds, the news is bad – Gasser is expected to have surgery and be on the bench for all of 2012-13. Not only will the Badgers miss his playmaking abilities, but they'll be losing an All-Big Ten defensive player and hot hand from beyond the arc. A starter at shooting guard in the past, he was expected to make a smooth transition to the point.
Redshirt freshman George Marshall was expected to get some quality minutes in relief of Gasser, but now takes on a much larger role in the Badgers' plans. Sophomore Traevon Jackson may be the first option to fill the void at point, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
The leading candidates to fill in at point guard are redshirt freshman guard George Marshall and sophomore Traevon Jackson.
The 5-foot-11 Marshall spent last season as the point guard on the scout team and drew raves from his teammates and the coaching staff. Marshall is quick, can score in a variety of ways and held his own defensively while being matched up against Taylor much of the time in practice last season.
The 6-2 Jackson averaged 1.1 points in 17 games last season.
It's been a tough start for Bo Ryan's troops. Senior forward Mike Bruesewitz is also going to miss a few games with what's being called a "severe laceration" of his leg suffered on October 9.