NCAAM teams
Andy Katz, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Badgers not rushing Jackson back

Men's College Basketball, Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan is optimistic injured senior point guard Traevon Jackson will play in March, but isn't sure if it will be as early as the Big Ten tournament next week.

Ryan said on the ESPNU: College Basketball podcast Monday that Jackson won't play this week on the road at Minnesota and Ohio State. He has missed the past 12 games after having surgery on his broken right foot, suffered in a 67-62 loss at Rutgers on Jan. 11. Wisconsin (26-3, 14-2 Big Ten) clinched a share of the Big Ten regular-season title with a win over Michigan State on Sunday.

"Hopefully for the Big Ten and just if it's not the Big Ten, then the NCAA tournament," Ryan said. "I just hope he gets to play again with his teammates and put the uniform on and get out there and be a part of it, no matter what happens. I know he doesn't want to finish his college career without playing another game or more. He's rehabbing and doing his best and the medical people will clear him when he's ready, hopefully it's soon."

Jackson (9.4 PPG, 2.9 APG) hasn't been on the court yet, according to Ryan, but has been doing his rehab. Jackson was a part of Sunday's senior night festivities at the Kohl Center. Ryan said there is no pressure to get him back too early.

"They really don't talk to you like they used to, we're the last to know," Ryan said. "The influence on a coach in trying to talk a kid into playing, those days are gone. The NCAA tournament time is all I heard mentioned last night, but not totally ruling out the Big Ten."

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