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SPORTS

Butch out for 4-to-6 weeks

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Also by Dave McGrath:

by Dave McGrath

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

The University of Wisconsin men's basketball team's chase for a championship — Big Ten, NCAA or otherwise — just got a little bit harder.

Badgers junior Brian Butch has been diagnosed by the UW Sports Medicine staff with a dislocation and an associated fracture of the right elbow, an injury that will likely sideline the forward four to six weeks.

"I'd like to thank all the fans that have expressed their concern with my condition and let them know that I will work hard to get back on the court as soon as I can," Butch said in a statement released through the UW athletics department. "I will continue to support my teammates and hope to contribute any way I can, whether as a cheerleader or a voice of experience on the bench. I have all the confidence that my teammates can continue the success that we have started."

Butch is averaging 8.8 points and a team-leading 5.9 rebounds a game. The versatile big man was also shooting 34 percent from 3-point range.

The injury all but assures Butch will be out for the remainder of the season. The NCAA Sweet Sixteen round takes place in four weeks, while the Final Four will be held the following weekend.

"We know how tough it will be for Brian to have to sit out but we also know the type of person he is and how hard he will work to get back," UW head coach Bo Ryan said in the statement. "For Brian to average close to 10 points and six rebounds a game for the last two years is a good indication of how steady a contributor he has been to our program. We will miss his energy and enthusiasm on the court but know he will still give us those things in the locker room and on the bench."

Midway through the first half of Wisconsin's 49-48 loss to Ohio State Sunday, the two-year starter went up for a rebound and was subsequently low-bridged by a tumbling teammate, as junior Greg Stiemsma was trying to take a charge. Butch tried to break his fall and sustained the injury doing so.

The McDonald's High School All-American howled in pain immediately and had to be helped off the court. While Butch returned to the bench by the end of the game, he was seen with his arm heavily taped and in a sling.

After the contest, players felt for their fallen comrade, but were quick to call on themselves to step up and pick up the slack for Butch.

"There's going to be some more minutes for other guys," said freshman Jason Bohannon in the aftermath of Wisconsin's loss at Ohio State. "Those guys have got to step up in the time they have and just play well and try to get the W."

Likely to see more playing time in Butch's absence are sophomores Joe Krabbenhoft, Marcus Landry and Kevin Gullikson, as well as Stiemsma. Krabbenhoft got a surprise start Sunday over Butch, but whether he will maintain that position or make way for Landry or Stiemsma remains unclear.

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Anonymous (February 27, 2007 @ 11:39am):

This season looked so good. Even after both the Michigan State and Ohio State loss. I think we can beat any team on a neutral floor. Ohio State has no chance against us in either of the tournaments.

But without the sporadic and sometimes prolific scoring and rebounding of Butch? This season just got a whole lot harder.

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