UW's Brown could miss Minnesota game
Madison — Senior forward Vitto Brown could miss Wisconsin’s key Big Ten basketball game Saturday at Minnesota.
Brown missed practice Thursday because of a lower-leg injury, according to a UW official. UW did not practice Wednesday.
Brown injured his right leg/ankle with 16 minutes 42 seconds left in UW’s 68-64 victory over Michigan on Tuesday. Brown went to the floor trying to secure a loose ball and was injured when Michigan's D.J. Wilson rolled onto the back of his lower right leg.
Replays show Brown grimacing in pain while face down on the court.
"We could have four or five guys sitting out as physical as that game was," UW assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft said after practice Thursday.
Brown came out with 16:36 left, after committing his second foul, and returned with 13:42 left. He got another break with 9:09 left and then returned for the final 5:31. He hit two key free throws to give UW a 62-54 lead with 1:13 left and finished with 13 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 26 minutes.
Brown has started all 18 games for UW (15-3, 4-1 Big Ten) and is averaging 7.9 points and 3.9 rebounds.
Sophomore Khalil Iverson worked with the No. 1 unit in Brown’s place on Thursday. Iverson has played in all 18 games this season, averaging 4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds.
Krabbenhoft declined to comment on Brown's health but did say Iverson would be ready to play if needed.
"I don't think it is about filling in for anybody, but what he brings is important and I think this is a game he could really excel," Krabbenhoft said. "Whether he is playing 10 minutes or 30, Khalil will be ready to go. We’re going to need him on these guys, the slashers that are really good at putting the ball on the floor."
Krabbenhoft noted Iverson's defensive ability could be important against Minnesota's Amir Coffey (11.9 ppg) and Dupree McBrayer (11.7 ppg), who are effective beating defenders with dribble penetration.
"I think Khalil has taken a step forward in being able to guard some of those guys," Krabbenhoft said, "and we expect these type of games for him to be able to come in and contribute.
"There is something about being on the road that Khalil likes, too."
Iverson played two of his better Big Ten games as a freshman away from the Kohl Center. He contributed 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal in a 63-55 victory over Illinois. Six games later, he had nine points, three rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in a 67-59 victory over Iowa.
"It definitely starts on the defensive end," senior forward Nigel Hayes said of Iverson. "Coach Gard puts him out there and tells him to try to get after people and create havoc.
"I think he can do that. They like to drive. Hopefully, he can slow (them) down and try to contain one of their attackers for us.
"You know the highlight plays he can make on offense. He can get us some extra rebounds and get out in transition."
One significant difference is that Iverson is shooting just 14.3% from three-point range (1 of 7). Brown is shooting 33.8% (23 of 68).
"If they’re going to leave him open, I told him he’s got to keep them honest and start shooting," Hayes said. "I believe in him. I trust that he’ll make it."
