Indiana guard CJ Gunn ejected for elbowing Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit

In Wisconsin and Indiana’s matchup on Friday, Hoosiers guard CJ Gunn was ejected midway through the second half after he elbowed Wisconsin standout Max Klesmit in the jaw. Klesmit had scored 14 straight points for Indiana.

While the players waited for Wisconsin to inbound the ball, Klesmit leaned over, getting a rest. Evidently, his head was too close for comfort for Gunn. As soon as Gunn made contact with Klesmit, Wisconsin’s bench erupted.

After a short review, Gunn was handed a Flagrant 2 and ejected from the game. As expected, Klesmit drained the two free throws. As of this report, Klesmit has scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half. Gunn finished the game with zero points while shooting 0-1 from the field.

CJ Gunn just got ejected for elbowing Max Klesmit in the jaw. Right in front of the Wisconsin bench too. You gotta be slicker than that 😅 pic.twitter.com/LuCrcTDk3A

— PropSwap (@PropSwap) January 20, 2024

Tyler Wahl reveals secret behind Wisconsin’s Big Ten success

Friday night isn’t the first time Wisconsin has found success against conference foes this season. The Badgers entered their matchup against Indiana with a 5-1 record in Big Ten play. After Wisconsin’s win over Northwestern on Jan. 13, Tyler Wahl weighed in on the Badgers’ hot start.

“I think the first thing is the everyday mentality,” Wahl answered. “Where we’re showing up to practice, whether it’s a game tomorrow or a game in four days, we’re showing up, we’re competing, we’re pushing each other.”

This mentality doesn’t just come from Wahl, nor is it showcased by a bunch of transfers or elite freshman. No, this Badger group, for the most part, has been together for several years now. They’re veteran and they’re familiar with one another. Plus, this group runs deep with those veterans. 

“And then, I also think it’s the depth and the chemistry that we have. All the guys in here are rooting for each other, everyone’s each other’s biggest fans, and when we see each other succeed, I feel like we just build off of that and then and we play better basketball,” Wahl added. 

“So I think it’s a chemistry, along with just showing up every day and work, playing our best basketball.”

That chemistry is built on the back of a handful of core guys that have now had three or more years to learn and adapt to Greg Gard’s system. Chucky Hepburn is a third-year starter at point guard and has yet to come off the bench in any of the 84 games he’s participated in as a Badger. His backcourt running mate, Klesmit, transferred in from Wofford last year but is now a year-two Badger and a year-four college hooper. 

The front-court features a similarly experienced duo. Tyler Wahl is in his fifth year with the program, his fourth as a starter under Gard, and is averaging 11 points per game for the third straight year. That’s some remarkable consistency. Next to him is longtime center Steven Crowl, another three-year starter and also a four-year player at Wisconsin.

On3’s Alex Weber also contributed to this article.